SOUTH BRUNSWICK – After 31 years of service to the South Brunswick community, the director of parks and recreation ended his career on April 30.
Tom Morris’s oversight and direction helped create one of the largest park systems in southern Middlesex County; when Morris arrived in South Brunswick there was only a handful of parks, but with his guidance and the foresight of the mayor and the Township Council, the park system expanded to 23 parks encompassing 627 acres, according to information provided by the township.
Morris was instrumental in the acquisition of many parcels of land and the development of many parks, including fields, playgrounds and other important play areas for residents of all ages.
He was elected president of the New Jersey Parks and Recreation Association and served on numerous South Brunswick municipal boards and committees during his years in the community.
In 2016, Morris received the Ellen Gambatese Pediatric Cancer Volunteer of the Year award from the Hugs for Brady Foundation.
“Tom has always had a special skill of working with everyone to accomplish a goal. He worked with countless sports programs and the school district to make sure everyone had a place to play.
“He was always available to talk through issues or problems. Our summer program was one of the top rated in the state because of his efforts. I thank him for all he has done for our community,” Deputy Mayor Joe Camarota, the parks and recreation liaison, said in the statement.
“Tom is quite, I guess, a known figure in town for his benevolence and dedication and his coalescing,” Camarota said during the April 28 council meeting. “He had to juggle and rotate a lot of different organizations in town and he tried to find a common denominator between them all. Trying to come to a happy resolution takes a lot when you have all these sports organizations.”
Councilwoman Jo Hochman added, “I really appreciate all the work Tom has done through all these years. He will be missed by all the teams as well as by all the residents involved with recreation.”
Morris could not be reached by press time.
