I almost cried when I read the headlines and feel sad. He touched so many lives in a huge way and gave us a beautiful place to live out our golden years. Where would we all be now if it weren't for his vision?

Condolences to his family and RIP Gary Morse.

Rest in Peace Mr Morse. Condolences and prayers for his family.

I guess as we get older, our idea of what young is changes. The average lifespan for men in this country is 76. Worldwide it's 71. I try to look at thing objectively and I always say that if you make it to 80, you've done well. Of course there are a few people that beat the odds an live well into their 80s, 90s and even 100s, but they are the exceptions. People dying at 77 is the norm.

I supposed that at this stage in life it's comforting for many of us to think that 76 or 77 is too young to die, but........

Thank you Mr. Morse may you rest in peace and look down on what you and your father built and just smile at how many people you have made happy.

R.i.p.

An old friend of mine used to say that a benevolent dictatorship is the best form of government. There is never any gridlock. Decisions get made. You may not always agree with them, but things get done.

Sit tibi terra levis.

As several have said previously, it feels like we've lost a family member ---- and in many ways we have. Perhaps there will be The Villages in heaven to welcome us, once again.

Very sad to hear of his passing....and age 77 is still young as he has proven by creating this lifestye. All of us here at TV feel we are family, thanks to you and your family.
Best wishes to you in heaven...warm wishes to those of your family left behind.

amo te

Gary Morse
 

He didn't like the limelight. Even so, I hope the family -- or someone with authority -- makes it possible for we, the people of The Villages, to give him an appropriate tribute and send off.

I was greatly saddened to hear of the passing of this great man. God Bless you Gary Morse and your entire family. I would love to see a grass root movement start here on TOTV a to have the Villages name something special in his honor, like maybe the Performing Arts Center? I know it is presently designated for his late wife Sharon, but it seems fitting that two magnificent edifices so nearby be named for them.

If the family is given a little time, maybe they will do just that. After all, isn't really up to them?

Thank you Mr. Morris . Our lives have been greatly enriched because of your vision and quiet leadership .

I've never met Gary but feel like I've just lost a close friend. Each day I'm grateful he and his family created such a wonderful place to live. Condolences to his family.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. RIP Gary.

I had to look up the translation.

"May the earth rest lightly on you".

In A League With Steve Jobs et al
 

Gary Morse in a different way can be considered in the same league as Steve Jobs. He was definitely a visionary like Jobs and passed too early like Jobs. What an accomplishment. Please watch over us as his family continues to fulfill the dream he had like The Healthiest and Happiest Hometown in America. RIP. I would recommend a small park and a small non-denominational chapel within, in his honor. Don't think he will like a mausoleum.

I was in the life insurance business for More than twentY-five years and in that business we have to be very aware of life expectancy and mortality rates. While it is true the life expectancy at birth is about 77 for males, that includes infants that die, teenagers that die accidentally, and so on. Life expectancy changes as we live on, as we have survived some of our peers. Life expectancy at age 65 is approximately 83 for males and over 85 for females. At 70 male life expectancy is 84 and female 86. At 77 the life expectancy for males is almost 87 and if you took into account his wealth and assumed relatively healthy lifestyle, plus the gene factor, with his dad living into his nineties, indeed, Gary Morse was rather young to die at 77.

Interesting info. Thanks Ed.

Actually your old friend is quite right. In Political Science classes, they teach exactly that, the most efficient form of government. Of course the drawback to it typically is the successorship. Gary seemed to be a rather humble individual, and an inspired leader from most reports. The Jobs comparison is not unjustified. Many wealthy people got that way in shameful ways, and did not make the world around them a better place to live. A few men come along and make a tremendous difference, and they usually are not forgotten.

The performing arts center was already named after Sharon Morse before Gary Morse's death, but perhaps it would be renamed after them both.

But I agree with Bogey that it's up to the family, and time will tell.

RIP Gary Morse. I felt really sad to hear the news. Condolences to the family.

Once in Awhile
 

In everyones life time someone comes along who has had a profound impact on their and others life. The effects of their leadership and ability to see a new world cannot be overstated. Gary Morse was one of those rare individuals who fullfiled all of these qualities. He has left an impact on all of our lives and we are all better off because he lived. I am sure he is in a better place and is able to have the rest he so richly deserves. Of course we wish only the best for his children and grand children and although they have big shoes to fill we can all be secure in the knowledge that they have been raised by a wonderful family and will continue to carry the flag of their grandfather and father. :)

... But his legacy lives
 

It was a sad day at work today in New Home Contracts, where Gary's legacy always looms large.


May his children, Mark, Jennifer and Tracy; his wife Rene; and all of the family find peace and comfort in the prayers and well-wishes of so many, in their cherished memories of Gary and in his tremendous legacy.


May all of us who work for the Morse family continue our efforts to make dreams come true for current and future residents.


Thank you, Gary and family, for this place I am so fond of calling Lower Paradise and home.


May you rest in peace in Upper Paradise.


Gary Morse has died. Long live his legacy!

It's sad that he has left us. He provided us such a great place to live. Sympathy to his family.

Well said Phyllis. :bigbow:

RIP Mr. Morse. Thank you for such a beautiful place to live. Prayers and condolences to the family.

too early.

leaving a legacy, but the real legacy of any person is their family. great family.

i hope we celebrate his life and his legacy.

love and happiness to his family and God bless gary.

glad i met him and enjoyed him as "a guy i met"

:ho:

i have never met Gary Morse nor even seen a photo of him (i don't get the paper) and this afternoon i heard about his death on the radio as i was driving along. it indeed was like losing a dear friend, and i thought about all the happiness he has brought to so many people. surely God will bless him greatly and he will be well remembered...i really like the idea of a statue in his honor or naming the new theatre after both him and his late wife...my sincere condolences to his family and friends and i wish i had met him.

Yesterday's New Year
 

I share my poem with our Villages community with special condolences to the Morse family and friends at Gary Morse's passing.
=======================

Yesterday's New Year

Tick........Tick........Tick........Tick........Ti ck........Tick

After seconds turn to minutes,
and days become weeks, a New Year
becomes yesterday's memories.

Just one second before
the end of time,
flashing thoughts fade,
as the past
subtracts the extraneous.

And loved ones make the
difference,
and still remember
Yesterday's New Year.

Tick........Tick........Tick........Tick

Be humble to one, before Yesterday passes, because
Tomorrow may never come,

just before
the
Future is done.

When two is still one and one.

Before Yesterday's Tomorrow
becomes
Yesterday's New Year

Tick..Tick..Tick..Tick..Tick.Tick.Tick.TickTickTic kTickTickTickTickTickTickTick

We too feel like we lost a family member. Looking around today at The Villages in light of his passing, all took on a new and deeper meaning, We hope the family of Gary Morse knows how grateful we are for all that he and his family have done to create a place as special as The Villages. With heartfelt sympathy, God Bless Gary and his Family

"“Everyone must leave something behind when he dies, my grandfather said. A child or a book or a painting or a house or a wall built or a pair of shoes made. Or a garden planted. Something your hand touched some way so your soul has somewhere to go when you die, and when people look at that tree or that flower you planted, you're there. "
Ray Bradbury

Very Sad Day
 

My wife and I are so grateful to have the privilege to live in The Villages. There is not a day that goes by that I don't look around at this wonderful and amazing place and realize we have found the most perfect place for us to retire.

For Harold, Gary , and the entire family we thank you so much for all the blood, sweat, and tears that have been put forth to create this magnificent place.

Our deepest sympathy to the family as you go thru this difficult time and trust the many memories will sustain you .

My God. What a shock to just read this. We feel as if we have lost a close family member. Thank you Gary for your vision and hard work and making this such a joyous community for people like us to spend their Golden years. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with the Morse family during this sad time.

Xxxxc

Very sad news indeed

thanks to the family
 

I sure hope the family can sense how deeply saddened and sorry we are for their loss.

All people in leadership have to take so much of the negative, it goes with the territory; and yet seldom do they hear the majority who are very thankful and grateful for their vision. I sure hope they feel how many of us are so very grateful for all that their father did and for all they have continued to do.

BTW I expected to see that Gracie has weighed in on this issue....I have been off line so and hope she has not left this sight for good.

Gary Morse has passed.
 

What a shock that headline was Thursday morning. I had a fantasy of running into Gary while walking around LSL and being able to thank him personally for all he and the family have done in creating The Villages. Knowing that would likely not happen, I thought of writing him a note to express my thanks. Alas, I put that off and now it is too late. I do hope he, from up there, and his family are seeing these many kind, warm thoughts and take solace in all the joy they have brought others. For me, I could not have found a better place to enjoy my retirement years. Thank you, Gary, for all that you did to build TV and for instilling into your kids and grandkids an outstanding work ethic. May your legacy live on for many generations to come.

With Deepest Sympathy
 

“When it is all said and done, in the final analysis, a person is only remembered by the impact he/she has had on another person’s life.”
― Tom Hackett

One can never count the many lives Gary and his family have touched so positively. We hope Gary Morse knew this. Only wish I had the opportunity to thank him and his Father in person. Thanks to all the Morse family, and may God and time bring you peace.

RR