Kentville, NS
April 28, 1935 - October 31, 2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of George Kenneth "Ken" Morse on October 31, 2024, with family at his side.
Ken was born on April 28, 1935, in Somerset, NS, to parents Kenneth and Marguerite (White) Morse. He was a beloved husband, son, father, brother, uncle, grandfather (known to some as Grampie or Buppie) and great-grandfather.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Gertrude; children: Richard (Patricia Bowen), Robert (Krista), Shelley (Jim Byers), Michelle (Trevor) Young, Susan (Mike) Mitchell, Ray (Dorothy Keddy), and Jill (David Brien); stepchildren: Stephen (Rina) and Timothy Verbong, Danielle (Doug) Haas; grandchildren: Laurie (Graham) Husband, Lacey (Tom) Johns, Hattem (Ashley) Morse, Brian "Jack" (Jessica) Morse, Miranda (Keegan) Ashmead, Logan (Tim Greer) Morse, Mckenna Morse Mitchell, Brandon and Ryan Quigley; 15 step-grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.
Always an entrepreneur with an exceptional business acumen, Ken was a dedicated worker who took pride in workmanship. He started his self-employed journey in his teenage years growing vegetables and beef farming, and later growing tobacco. However, his greatest passion was trucking. He began his trucking career 68 years ago when he purchased his first truck for $400, a 2.5 ton Chev single axle and started hauling gravel for the various road projects on the go in the 1950s. By 1965, he had 3 trucks and started growing faster. He was a pioneer in the Nova Scotia trucking industry, having obtained one of the first NS motor carrier licenses. When industry regulation was preventing him from expanding his business, he found a clever way to bypass regulation by creating a rental and leasing business. This was the path that led him to establish G.K. Morse Trucking Ltd., a family business that remains in operation under the leadership of Rick and Robert. His business enterprises led to many connections with respected suppliers and longtime customers, for which he was thankful. He looked forward to hauling Christmas trees to the United States each year and appreciated the partnerships he created with NS Christmas tree growers. He was also proud to be a land developer, road builder, and landlord. He worked at the office until the age of 85, steadfastly being the first one in the door in the morning, and the last one out at night. When Covid kept him home, he maintained constant contact and kept an eye on the business and employees from home. There were ups and downs in business, but Ken’s mantra was always "never give up".
During the pandemic he missed his social interactions with family and friends, especially his 6am Sunday morning breakfast meetings with Phil Jordan, Sonny Bennett, and Harvey Hanna.
Through his business ventures and antique car interest he met many people throughout Canada and the United States, forging many lasting relationships and friendships. When not working he could often be found with tools in hand, tinkering with an old car and joyfully restoring antique automobiles with the same dedication he brought to his career.
If he wasn’t in the shop, he was likely trucking to "the land of opportunity" (the United States) in search of treasures to bring back. He was saddened when he could no longer continue his annual trips to Hershey for the antique car flea markets. As an ardent collector of antique automobiles, he had a keen interest in Ford, Mercury and Lincoln cars and trucks, Packards, and tractors, especially John Deere. Ken was a skilled mechanic, obtaining his Red Seal Truck and Transport Mechanic license at the age of 75. He found great pleasure in rebuilding engines and restoring his antique automobiles. As an extension of this hobby, he liked attending car shows, tractor pulls, and NASCAR races.
He was knowledgeable in many areas and loved history, especially in his research of the Morse genealogy. He knew the family tree inside and out and made sure his children all knew their cousins and their families in the USA. He enjoyed listening to country music and was thrilled when he discovered the Willie’s Roadhouse channel on satellite radio. In the early fifties he was a member of the Berwick Male Choir with his brother. As a young adult, he played hockey for the Valley Flyers in Berwick and was also on tug-of-war teams. He was an avid reader and enthusiastic traveler, reveling in new discoveries through literature and sightseeing. If you ever visited a museum with Ken, you had to prepare to be there a long time because he had to read every piece of information provided at the site! Forever a storyteller, his sarcasm and quick wit always kept people smiling and laughing. One of his favourite quotes was from Henry Ford, "Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right".
He had an interest in politics and volunteered for various political campaigns for municipal, provincial, and federal elections. In the eighties, he put himself into the fray and was elected two terms as a Kings County councillor from 1982-1988. He decided to run in an attempt to lower taxes, promote responsible budgeting, and provide transparency for constituents and county residents at large. He was known for his fearless ability to speak up for others. You never had to guess where Ken stood on an issue, as he would be sure to tell you.
A respected mentor, Ken gave many their first start in trucking, always eager to share his extensive knowledge and experience. His influence cultivated a loyal team, with several long-term employees, including Lawrence Keddy, who started with the company 52 years ago. His office staff were equally dedicated, from Barb Montford, who first set the tone of professionalism, to Shannon Metcalf, who continues to keep the office running smoothly to this day. Ken was always thankful for the dedication of his employees over the last 68 years and remained humbled that his business success was, in part, due to their loyalty and commitment to the business. Without them, his business success would not have been possible.
He was predeceased by his parents, son David, brother and sister-in-law Harry and Madelyn Morse, nephew Michael Rawding and grand-niece Ashley Rawding.
Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2024 in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, followed by a reception, and will be livestreamed for those unable to attend. A private family burial will follow at a later date at the Lakeview Cemetery, Lakeville.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fidelis House in Kentville.
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