Bridge renamed to honor a life

The Town Council has agreed to name the Christopher Brook Bridge in honor and in memory of Jim Morris.

EAST HAMPTON >> It only took a moment during an otherwise busy evening. And, in the grand scheme of things, it may have seemed only a small thing.

But for one well-regarded family in town, it had a meaning that words alone could not define.

The Town Council has agreed to name the Christopher Brook Bridge in honor — and in memory of — Jim Morris, a well-regarded long-time community residentwho diedwhen he was struck by an out-of-control vehicle in 2014.

After twice retiring — first as a school administrator, then as contractor — Morris and his wife Katie moved to East Hampton in 1999. Jim Morris began compiling a list of achievements, volunteering to assist the Board of Education, serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission and chairing the town’s Facilities Evaluation Committee.

When Katie Morris became a member of the East Hampton Ambulance Association, Jim Morris turned his attention to the association as well. The group came up with the idea of honoring him by naming the bridge for him.

Early last month, John Tuttle, the president of the association’s board of directors (and a former town councilor), came before the council with a proposal. Just prior to his death, Jim Morris had overcome some health issues, Tuttle said. As part of his recovery, he would walk downtown toMcDonald’s, where he would take a morning coffee “and connect with friends,” Tuttle said.

JimMorris’ regular route took him over the Christopher Brook Bridge, Tuttle said.

On the morning of Oct. 17, 2014, the day in which he died in a still-unexplained accident, Jim Morris followed that route, Tuttle said. He became a familiar figure on that daily walk, he added.

Consequently, naming the bridge in his honor “would serve as a reminder to his family — and to all of us — of Jim’s dedication to his community,” Tuttle said.

Council Chairwoman Patience R. Anderson described the association’s proposal as “an absolutely beautiful idea!”

When the council met again recently, it took action on the proposal by voting unanimously to approve the request to name the bridge the John “Jim” Morris Memorial Bridge. The council also directed that a plaque carrying that designation be created. It will be installed on the bridge after an ongoing renovation project is completed.

Katie Morris, who was married to her husband for 50 years, was present during the meeting. She was accompanied by her daughter Beth Byers, Beth’s husband Mark and their two children, Hayley and Anna.

Their two sons, John and Mark, and their families live in Austin, Texas, and Manhattan Beach, California. All together, the three children and their spouses have produced nine grandchildren.

Following the council’s action, Katie Morris said, “I would like to thank you all for proposing this bridge naming. Jim was very happy here in East Hampton and he was determined to do everything he could for the town because he loved it,” she said.

Having the bridge named in hismemory “will bewonderful,” KatieMorris added.

Every time she crosses the bridge, “I’ll be thinking of Jim in a positive way for the way he lived — not for the way he died,” she continued. “I can’t tell you how happy we are.”

“Iwould like to thank you all for proposing this bridge naming. Jimwas very happy here in East Hampton and hewas determined to do everything he could for the town because he loved it.” — Katie Morris

FILE PHOTO