03/30/2020
Garry Stuart Morrison of Hilton Head Island, SC passed away in peace, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, March 19, 2020, at the age of 71, after an exciting, meaningful and well-lived life. He was the loving husband of Jeanine Sawler, an amazing father of Sara Sigwart and her husband Jason, Brooke Messenger and her husband Dustin, and doting grandfather of Romie and Tucker. He was a quintessential and caring big brother to Glenn Morrison and his wife Sally, and endearing uncle to Andy and Garry Morrison.
Born in Montreal, Canada, he was the oldest child of William (Sandy) and Ruth Morrison. The family relocated to Olympia Fields, Illinois when he was 13, where he later met and married his former wife, Rebecca (Becky) Parsons. Garry attended Rich Central High School where he graduated at the age of 15. He went on to attend Olivet College in Olivet, Michigan, and was a member of the Adelphic Alpha Pi Fraternity. He spent his summers working as a life guard at the Park Forest Aqua Center.
Upon being married, Garry and Becky moved to Coral Gables, Florida where he attended law school at the University of Miami. He loved his Miami Hurricanes and was one of their biggest fans.
After living in Miami, Boca Raton, Longboat Key and Naples, Florida, Garry moved to Savannah Georgia, and then Hilton Head in 2000. His daughters soon followed, he met his love, Jeanine there, and shared almost two decades with them. He embraced the roll of Grandpa and relished in teaching Romie and Tucker how to swim, make his legendary chocolate chip cookies and watching Spongbob Squarepants.
His love Jeanine converted him to a Patriot’s fan later in life, and he became a “Son of Belichick”. He always gathered his friends and family to watch football and rugby games, and enjoy his perfectly done fresh shrimp and his famous spinach dip. Garry was an accomplished athlete, a student of martial arts and a proud member of the Trident (Miami) Rugby Football Club. He was an avid fisherman and was happiest when there was a salty breeze and sun on his face, a rod in his hand and was with friends and family.
Garry was well-known on the island for his kind and outgoing personality. He could walk into any room or pub in the world and make friends, philosophize any subject and play the best songs in the jukebox. He loved good music and played the saxophone; his love of Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, Tom Petty, The Eagles, the Blues and so many others live on through all of his girls. He always had a smile, a new vocabulary word and a round of drinks for everyone. Garry’s spirit also lives on in the garden he and Jeanine planted and tended to, his beloved orchids that he bestowed on his loved ones and the vast horticultural knowledge he shared with us. He was also a voracious reader and loved history.
Garry will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Although he is leaving behind a family that loves him and will miss him beyond all measure, he will be welcomed in grace by those who have gone before him, including his loving parents and grandparents, dear friends, and family members. He left our world much too soon, leaving a space that will not easily be filled. He truly made the world a better and more beautiful place because he lived in it. He was an “every man”.
The family will host a Celebration of Life to be announced later this summer. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Boys and Girls Club of Hilton Head Island https://www.bgchiltonhead.org/take-action
