Phillip H. Morris

Phillip H. Morris, 69, of Beverly, MA and Wells, ME, passed away on April 4, 2026, after a courageous five-year battle with Alzheimer’s. An amazing husband, father and brother, he loved his family and friends, playing music, his dogs and had a limitless zest for life.

He attended Beverly schools and North Shore Community College, spending the first half of his career in the restaurant business. From The Depot in Beverly, to The Landing in Marblehead and then Dailey’s in Middleton, Phil’s love of the hospitality industry came naturally. He was renowned for the epic mid-week ski trips he coordinated for his Dailey’s customers and friends in the early 90s. One excursion delivered four bus loads of skiers to Sugar Loaf mountain in Maine on a Tuesday; you might say that Phil was well-liked by more than a few ski mountains/resorts.

A self-taught musician at 18, he ran open mic nights and loved playing guitar and singing in several bands over the years, including The Smok'n Flamingos, The Zackley’s and Hunter. Music was never a job for him; it was his passion. A child of deaf parents, he found his voice through music. His favorite gigs with The Smok'n Flamingos were benefit events for art preservation, education and visiting nurses organizations on Martha’s Vineyard. The pay was nonexistent, but the location, views and time spent with good friends was spectacular and far surpassed any monetary reward.

Phil moved on from restaurant management into the direct mail industry and later to the weatherization business. These career changes transpired because good friends recognized his strong work ethic and keen ability to “figure things out.” He was paramount in helping both those businesses thrive, notably by developing more streamlined project workflows.

He took great pride in his daughters, Heather and Taylor, giving them advice whether they were looking for it or not. Phil adored them both, and encouraged them to follow the path that made them happy. He was doubly blessed to have gained sons-in-law that were perfect for his girls.

Phil cherished three beautiful Labrador Retrievers over a 35-year span. A self-proclaimed “Lab Person” he claimed they were the only dog breed for him. And then came ten-pound, scrappy, scrawny Stella - a Bichon Frise/Maltese/Chihuahua mix. She changed his mind quickly, helping him realize he was a “Dog Person.”

Friends meant everything to him. They included childhood friends and friends made along life’s way, but all became lifelong friends. Some were made through the Labrador Retriever connection on Sunday walks through Phillips Preserve and Chebacco Woods with a pack of happy, wet and often muddy labs. In the fall, these walks would morph into Patriots-watching afternoons or evenings, always with lots of good food, friends and many laughs. Fall and the Pats football season gave him great joy; the question every Sunday was “Is it Phil’s chili day or is it jambalaya day?” Needless to say there were never any complaints.

Phil is survived by his wife Diane (Roux) of 35 years; daughter and son-in-law Heather and Barry Littlefield of Chelmsford, MA; daughter and son-in-law Taylor and Gardner Rulon-Miller of Newburyport, MA; sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Charles Walburn, of Beverly, MA; brother and sister-in-law Allen and Eileen (Myriah) Morris of Wenham, MA; sister-in-law Julie Roux and Jeff Granger of Springvale, ME; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Michelle and Troy Shupe of Show Low, AZ, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased in death by his parents Phillip K. and Josephine Morris.

Donations can be made to alz.org or to the animal rescue organization of choice.

Celebration of Life 

Friday, June 5th

4pm-7pm

Longboards Restaurant

76 Wharf Street, Salem, MA

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