Obituary of Bryan H. Morse

Brian H. Morse, age 33, died suddenly on Monday, May 20, 2024.

Bryan Harrison Morse was a beloved son, a devoted brother, a loving grandson, and the best teller of off-color jokes in our family.  Bryan’s wit cut through every holiday antipasto, our wonderful trips to Hooter’s with Poppop Welker, cross-country family vacations, and the difficult conversations that every family inevitably faces.  We’ll miss his smile, strong jaw line, broad shoulders, and deep emotional warmth that brought him to many peoples’ sides in good times and bad.

Bryan was born the third son of Steven D Morse and Cynthia J Mattei on June 20, 1990, at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood.  He was the fattest baby of the three but thinned out quickly through high energy and chasing around his older brothers.  His joyful childhood was spent in Springfield, PA in Delaware County, attending nursery school at Miss Annette’s and elementary school at Episcopal Academy.  Bryan and his brothers spent countless hours together in a big backyard on North Highland Avenue, where Bryan loved to walk in the woods, shoot BB guns, jump out of the treehouse, feed wild birds, and play with Sally, the family’s beloved golden retriever.

Bryan built deep friendships even as a young child.  In the neighborhood and at school, he always found his people, who appreciated Bryan’s sense of humor, caring personality, and sense of loyalty.  Some of his dearest friends were regular fixtures at the Morse family’s Friday night homemade pizza and stromboli.  Similarly, he and his brothers bonded outdoors through countless family trips to Vermont, where a condo on a dirt road let Bryan explore skiing, snowboarding, river tubing, hiking, and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.

In middle school, Bryan moved to Springfield’s public school, where he came into his own as a student and athlete.  With his Mother and Stepfather as district employees watching over him, Bryan discovered a deep love of woodworking and formed friendships that lasted his lifetime.  Bryan swam competitively, played football, skateboarded, worked summers as a line cook, and wrestled, but nothing came close to the satisfaction of working with his hands.  Bryan found meaning and a sense of peace through craftsmanship and artistic expression, which expanded throughout his life.  

Nurtured in carpentry by his grandfather, Bryan’s skills improved rapidly through high school shop.  His primary teacher was George Trout, who remained a mentor for many years beyond school.  Bryan built guitars, beds, tables, chairs, beautiful boxes, and stunning cutting boards, amongst other items, many of which remain in our family homes.  When we look at these pieces of art, it’s hard not to see Bryan’s warm charm.  Bryan’s love of nature and carpentry continued through West Virginia University, where he majored in Wood Science and Technology while spending most of his time having laughs with housemates and friends.

After college, Bryan moved back to the Philadelphia area.  He pursued a career in industrial production and then construction project management, in which he found success.  Despite ups and downs in his struggles with addiction, Bryan’s work ethic, likeability, and execution kept him well employed.  For work, he traveled often to Detroit, Boston, and New York, where he was a loving uncle to his nieces whenever he found time to visit.  Bryan relished being an uncle to his niece and nephew in Norristown, with whom he joked and roughhoused any chance he got.  Bryan loved kids because deep down he always retained a child-like sense of joy, silliness, and hope.  To fill his free time, Bryan cultivated joy through deep friendships, loving relationships, hiking, concerts, rock climbing, weightlifting, and regular time with his family.

Bryan is survived by his mother, Cindy Mattei; stepfather, Gary Mattei; brothers, Steven Morse (wife Nicole) and Zach Morse (wife Parker); nephew, Steven Morse; nieces, Sophia Morse, Quinn Morse, and Peyton Morse; and grandmother, Dolores Welker.  He was preceded in death by his father, Steven D. Morse.  We are forever indebted to the rehabilitation facilities, treatment centers, Narcotics Anonymous groups, Alcoholics Anonymous groups, Nar-Anon Family Groups, and the many sponsors and others in recovery who positively impacted Bryan in his life. 

Visitation: Friday, May 24th from 10:00-11:15AM at the Minshall Shropshire-Bleyler Funeral Home, Middletown (Rte. #352) & Knowlton Rds., Middletown Twp., Media, PA 19063.

Funeral Service: Friday, May 24th at 11:30AM at the funeral home.

Interment: Private.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to support addiction treatment and recovery in Bryan's name here:  https://gofund.me/c7a9d78f