Freelance journalist Mike McMorrow, left, shows Col. Kevin Rue (ret.) information regarding the death of a Vietnam veteran found in the archives of the Alexandria Gazette last November. McMorrow was instrumental in locating photos of local Vietnam veterans as part of the national Faces of the Fallen project. He died May 18 at the age of 81. Photo by Jeanne Theismann.
Michael J. McMorrow, of Arlington, died on May 18, 2019. He was born Nov. 20, 1937, to Michael J. and Alice (McBride) McMorrow in Buffalo, N.Y. and is survived by his wife nee Mary Louise Schenewerk of Rochester, Minn.; his four children — Mary Alice (Charles Ball), Walpole, Mass.; Margaret Ann "Megan" (Barry Reicherter), Arlington; Myles Patrick (Kate Gilchrist), McLean; and Maureen Ellen (John Bett), Arlington; and six grand-children Regan Ball; Brendan, Madeline and Mary Kate Reicherter; Aiden McMorrow; and Colleen Bett.
Michael graduated from Canisius College, Buffalo, N.Y. and St. John's University School of Law before being admitted to the New York Bar. He served in the General Counsel's Office of the Maritime Administration for nearly 40 years, heading the Divisions of Administration and Litigation, with service to the Merchant Marine, before retiring in 2002 as Assistant General Counsel/Supervisory Trial Attorney.
Longtime resident of Arlington, his many retirement activities included court-room docent at the U. S. Supreme Court; journalist writing for Northern Virginia's Connection Newspapers; many projects of Edward Douglass White Council, Knights of Columbus; and enjoying time with his grandchildren.
As a freelance writer and photographer for Connection Newspapers since December 2010, he contributed more than 155 stories and photographs primarily for the Arlington and Alexandria editions. In his introductory letter seeking the opportunity to write, he concluded his list of work experience and education with “father and grandfather.” He had attached more than 30 story ideas that appealed to his interests in history and government.
There will be a Memorial Mass at St. James Church, Falls Church, 1 p.m., Saturday, June 1, 2019.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to either Bishop Timon High School, 601 McKinley Pkwy., Buffalo, NY 14220, www.bishoptimon.com/Donate; or Honor Flight, Inc., Attn: Meredith Rosenbeck (kofcedw2473), 175 South Tuttle Road, Springfield, OH 45505, www.honorflight.org/donate-online.