The Reverend Canon John T. Morrow of the Heath Village Community in Hackettstown, New Jersey passed away on Friday, April 10 after a brief illness.

Born on October 10,1934, John and his sister Elizabeth were raised in suburban Philadelphia by the Robinson family. In elementary school, he met his wife of 68 years, Marilyn Lee Divan. As a youth, both he and Marilyn attended the Church of the Atonement in Morton, PA where he was confirmed, an acolyte, and a seminarian assistant.

In 1957, John graduated from The University of the South, Sewanee, TN with a degree in English. He was an active member and officer of the Sigma Nu fraternity and an avid runner (in 2010, he was inducted into the Sewanee Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the undefeated 1953/54 Cross Country Team.) While at Sewanee, John accepted the call to the priesthood and began preparing for his future curriculum in theological studies.

In 1958, John married his childhood sweetheart and the love of his life, Marilyn Lee Divan at St. James Church, Prospect Park, PA. In 1960, with her constant support and encouragement, he graduated from The Philadelphia Divinity School and was ordained an Episcopal priest at Trinity Cathedral in Trenton. He began his career as Curate of Grace Church, Merchantville, NJ under then Rector, Albert VanDuzer, later Bishop of the diocese. In 1962, he was called to St. George’s Church, Helmetta, NJ, first as Vicar, then Rector.

Finally, in 1965, John was called to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Gladstone, NJ, to what he always referred to as “the greatest honor of his life.”  His ebullient personality, innate gifts as a teacher and counselor, keen insight into relationships, and willingness to be present and engaged in lives, endeared him to his parishioners. His tenure allowed him the unique opportunity of baptizing, confirming, and marrying many members, and being present at a family’s most poignant moments. He served St. Luke’s for over three decades (after moving back to the area in 2020, John repeatedly expressed his pleasure to once again worship in that beautiful place with his beloved church family.)

In addition to ministering to his parishioners, Canon Morrow served on the Family Counseling Board of Somerset County and helped start the Chaplaincy to the Elderly of Somerset County. He was chairman of the local welfare board and chaplain for the fire department as well as serving on dozens of other local organizations. He set up vacation Bible schools and started the ecumenical services on Thanksgiving and Good Friday. He conducted services regularly at Matheny School and Hospital and the Kate Macy Ladd home. He was involved in graduation ceremonies at The Purnell School every year. In 1970, John had the privilege to serve as Delegate at the World Conference on Biblical Prophecy in Jerusalem when he and Marilyn experienced the Holy Land in person.

Several comprehensive projects took shape in his last decade as rector. In 1980, sponsorship was approved for an eleven-member Laotian family, and in 1986, after years of planning, John’s dream of a senior residential community in town — St. Luke’s Village — was realized.

John’s recreational activities were diverse. He was an avid reader, played the piano daily, and regularly sailed the Tom’s River and Barnegat Bay, exploring much of New England on his 30-foot sloop with his family. He took up oil painting in his later years. He and Marilyn enjoyed many touring opportunities overseas, often with friends and family, making trips to Italy to reconnect with Marilyn’s relatives and to Ireland and Scotland to research his roots.

Above all else, John’s commitment was to his Lord and Savior, his wife and children, and to his beloved corgis (Bailie, Piper, Dylan, and Sadie.) He was the ultimate family man, instilling in his children the value of relationships and the importance of working hard at them.

In 1970, he was named an honorary Canon by Bishop Alfred Lothian Banyard, and in 1998, he was named Rector Emeritus of St. Luke’s Church. The church Rectory now holds a plaque naming it “Morrow House” in perpetuity. In 1996, he retired from his position as Rector of St. Luke’s but remained a regular Supply Priest at St. Elisabeth’s Chapel, Ortley Beach, NJ near to where they lived on the Tom’s River during their retirement. He continued to hold Bible Studies and counsel those in need well into his retirement.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn of 68 years; his sons David (Kim) Morrow of Annapolis, MD, and Stephen (Karen) Morrow of Califon, NJ; his daughter Joan (Clyde) Seigle of Peapack, NJ; his grandchildren Anna (Greg) Michalski and Spencer Morrow of Annapolis, MD; Brandon (Molly) Morrow and Nathan Morrow of Denver, CO; Madeline (Robert) Gillan of Oakdale, CT, Katherine Seigle of Morris Plains, NJ, and Lillie Seigle of New York, NY; his great grandchildren Hudson, Harper, and Cayden Michalski of Annapolis, MD.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, May 9 at 11am at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Gladstone, NJ with a reception following in Greene Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 605, Gladstone, NJ 07934 or Water Mission, PO Box 96252, Charlotte, NC 28296-6252