During the period between 1951 and 1961, a folksong collector named Kenneth Peacock made numerous visits to Newfoundland, recording old ballads and local songs in many communities around the island. The result of this research was a large, three volume collection entitled "Songs of the Newfoundland Outports", published by the National Museum of Canada in 1965. 15 of the original recordings by Mr. Peacock were eventually presented on an album by the same name produced and released in 1984 by Pigeon Inlet Productions.

In his liner notes, an abridged version of which is presented here, Mr. Peacock acknowledges the debt of gratitude to Howard Morry and the life-long friendship that developed between them as a result of their collaboration in this work. Howard not only introduced Ken Peacock to many little-known Newfoundland songs but also introduced him to other carriers of the torch like Patrick Rossiter, from Fermeuse. Among the songs that Pat introduced and sang for Ken Peacock was The Loss of the "Eliza". The words and notes on this song, as well as the sound recording of Pat Rossiter singing this sad ballad are presented here.

Although Dad Morry performed many songs for Ken Peacock and these were recorded and also included in this 3 volume anthology, none made it onto the LP unfortunately. However, in 1962, Ken Peacock visited with Dad Morry at the home of his son, Tom, in Ottawa. During the course of that visit it became known that Tom knew a few old Newfoundland folk songs himself and he was persuaded to perform one or two for the microphone, to be saved in the anthology. One of these songs, The Sealer's Ball was considered interesting and amusing enough to be included on the album. The words and notes as well as the sound recording as performed by Tom Morry in 1962 are included here.

Dad died suddenly, taken peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, May 1st, 2008 in his 89’th year. He was born in 1919 in the small fishing community of Ferryland , Newfoundland . He grew up in a large family where dependency on the sea for their survival made life difficult, but where storytelling and music filled the household and made life joyous and memorable. 

Dad’s career was a real “rags to riches” story. After finishing school in Newfoundland , he moved to the USA to work and pursue further studies in Boston and Pittsburgh . He returned to Newfoundland at the start of the Second World War and because his two brothers had already enlisted, he ended up working in the war services sector. Later, he was seconded to work with English and Canadian representatives completing arrangements for the transfer of Newfoundland from British Commission Government rule to Canadian provincehood. 

After Confederation, Dad joined the Unemployment Insurance Commission in St. John’s , winning a promotion and transfer to Ottawa in 1953. In Ottawa he enjoyed a series of progressive appointments including positions as Assistant Deputy Minister - Personnel at National Defence Headquarters, Director General of Appeals and Investigations at the Public Service Commission, and Head of the Anti-Discrimination Board. In total, he spent 42 years in the public service of Newfoundland and Canada , and loved every minute of it. 

He used to say he couldn’t wait to get out of bed in the morning – his work excited him that much.  His devotion to the Public Service must have rubbed off on his children, because they all followed in his footsteps – his daughter Lanny with the CRTC and CBC, Tom junior with Agriculture, the PSC and Treasury Board, Chris with Fisheries and Oceans, and Glen with Canada Post, the PSC and now the RCMP.

Dad served as President of the Public Personnel Management Association (in the US and Canada ) and as a result he was made an honorary life member of both IPMA-Canada and IPMA-HR. There are only two such recipients and this was quite an honour for him.

He had a passion for Human Resources issues, and kept in touch with his colleagues in the IPMA and the unions. Dad was always a strong supporter of a professional HR Community in the National Capital Region and around the country. All who knew him, respected him for his breadth and depth of knowledge. Unhappy with retirement, Dad continued working as a consultant, maintaining his focus on anti-discrimination and the rights of employees to dignity and a fair and equitable workplace.  In fact, he continued to work right up to the day before he died.

I know Dad was thrilled that IPMA Canada created this award in his honour, though I am sure he’d rather be here today to bestow the award himself, rather than have it given posthumously!

Day Lily Named in Honour of Thomas Graham Morry

Dad's daughter and grandson, Lanny and Mick, have been actively involved in hybridisation of flowers for many years, first focussed on orchids and more recently day lilies. They have each quite a few varieties registered to their credit. Before Dad passed away, wishing to honour his grandfather, Mick gave Dad the opportunity to select a hybrid of his choosing to be named after him. The photos below show Dad and Lanny at the time, as well as a close up of the flower that Dad chose.