Paul Morris, who served as a Toronto Maple Leafs PA announcer for 38 years, has died. He was 86 years old.
Morris died on Thursday in Oshawa after a long illness, according to Mount Lawn Home and Cemetery funeral home in Whitby.
Born on June 28, 1938, in Toronto, Morris spent his entire work career in Maple Leaf Gardens in the sound department, as well as handling the tasks of public speeches.
Morris’s inexpressive delivery provided the backdrop to generations of Maple Leaf fans.
Morris was in the microphone the last time the Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1967, with Toronto defeating the visitors of Montreal Canadiens 3-1 to win the series in six games.
“Clarence Campbell, the president of the National Hockey League, will now present the Stanley Cup to the Toronto Maple Leafs,” Morris said at that time.
We are sad to share that Maple Leafs announcer of Maple Leafs Paul Morris died at 86.
The voice of Maple Leaf Gardens for decades, Paul never lost a game from 1961 to 1999. He called the final game in the gardens and was the first voice in Scotiabank Arena. Further… pic.twitter.com/38sfhkryhv
“He is at home,” Morris told CBC in an interview that was broadcast during Toronto’s last game in Maple Leaf Gardens on February 13, 1999. “He has always been home because my father (Doug, who became the coach main gardens) began in the building when they put the shovel on the floor.
“Then, our family, our whole life, from the beginning I can remember, revolved around what was in the gardens.”
Morris recognized sadness at the end of the gardens.
“I also recognize that nothing happens forever. Everything comes to an end sooner or later,” he said.
Morris retired at the end of the 1998-99 season
Morris began with the Junior Marlies in 1958 and rose in 1961, happening to Red Barber as the Losafs announcer. Barber had served as an announcer of the opening of the building in 1931.
Morris retired at the end of the 1998-99 season, giving way to Andy Frost.
“I am proud of that,” said Morris, speaking of his work as PA announcer, to Toronto’s star in 2016. “I enjoyed having done it. It was a great job.”
Mike Ross became the fourth broadcaster of the Leafs, starting with the 2016-2017 season.
“The voice that I grew up listened on Saturday nights sitting next to my grandfather. Rip Mr. Morris,” Ross said in a publication on social networks.
The Toronto Maple Leafs published Monday night in X: “Paul never lost a game from 1961 to 1999. He called the first game in the gardens, and it was the first voice in Scotiabank Arena. More than a announcer, Paul was part of Leafs’ History.
Morris survives Marion, his 52 -year -old wife.
