Margate legend Maurice Morris has passed away at the age of 91.
Instantly recognisable as a Margate fixture, Maurice lived his entire life in the town and was a familiar figure to many.
From the 1950s to 1990s Maurice worked in various roles at Dreamland, including as an usher at the cinema. He was also known to many of the big bands, including The Who and The Yardbirds, which came to Dreamland in the 60s and 70s as he would bring in their equipment.
Maurice could also lay claim to being the man who once flooded Dreamland!
Mick and Shirley Tomlinson have been looking out for Maurice for more than 20 years since he underwent chemo treatment for cancer and then went into remission. Mick had known Maurice since their days at Dreamland in the 60s.
Mick said: “Maurice was well-known when I worked at Dreamland as a DJ from the mid-60s. He would lug in the heavy gear for all the big name groups like The Who and The Yardbirds.
“One time all the water had to be turned off overnight and Maurice was there cleaning that night and couldn’t understand why there was no water. He turned all the taps on so when the water came back on the whole Dreamland complex was flooded with so much water in the cellars and flowing into the main entrance!”
Photo Carl Hudson
A regular at the Margate carnival, often on his bike and in a pearly king outfit, and known for delivering local papers in recent years, Maurice was a much loved resident of Dane Valley.
In 2017 he was presented a Dane Valley citizen award in a scheme launched by the then-ward councillors including Gary Taylor.
He celebrated his 90th in October 2022 when Shirley and Mick arranged a party at the Greek Taverna in Westgate to mark the milestone.
Maurice had lived a full and independent life on his own terms and passed away at his home.
Mick said: “So many people thought the world of him, we have lost another Margate person but he’s at peace now.”
Funeral details have not yet been confirmed. However, Shirley and Kay Eastoe, who also looked after Maurice, said a fundraiser will be launched to help pay for the funeral, headstone, a bench and something permanent in the town as a memorial to Maurice.
