Staten Island USA

  • Home
  • BP James Oddo
  • News
  • Events
  • Initiatives
  • Resources
  • According to Jim
  • Social
  • Contact/Report
  • Budget
  • Home
  • BP James Oddo
  • News
  • Events
  • Initiatives
  • Resources
  • According to Jim
  • Social
  • Contact/Report
  • Budget

NEWS

William A. Morris Jr. to be honored with Maniscalco Award

1/12/2016

 
Picture
Borough President James S. Oddo will award William A. Morris Jr. with the annual Maniscalco Award at a ceremony in Borough Hall on February 3.
 
The Albert V. Maniscalco Community Service Award was established in 1986 in honor of the ninth borough president. Maniscalco's tenure from 1955 to 1965 saw the creation of the Greenbelt and the construction of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The award celebrates the civic-mindedness and tireless energy of individuals or organizations that work to help community members in need and to make Staten Island a better place.
 
“Last year, I met William Morris and was amazed by his life story. He is one of the most remarkable gentlemen I have ever met,” said Borough President Oddo. “At 96 years old, he has not stopped giving back to the community. From his heroic service in World War II to his continued charitable work here at home, I can think of no one more deserving of this award.”
 
William A. Morris Jr. was born and raised on Staten Island. His family heritage on Staten Island dates back to the early 1700s, and he is a descendant of the last slave sold on Staten Island. He graduated from P.S. 18 and Port Richmond High School and attended Wagner College before serving our nation with the US Army during World War II. After he enlisted in 1939, he served in the Pacific and European theaters of operation, including the Normandy Beach D-day invasion, Battle of the Bulge and served for 5 years in the in the all black 369th as a sergeant until his honorable discharge. A book published last year, The Soldier that Wagged Her Tail, written by his daughter Dolores N. Morris, tells the wartime story of Morris and his constant companion, a little terrier dog Trixie.  Morris married Norcie Allen in 1943, and together they raised four children and two foster children. He and his wife have run the food pantry at Faith United Methodist Church for the last 30 years. Morris has also served as a Boy Scout leader of troop 47 for 35 years. He and his wife received the Silver Beaver, the highest award of service and scouting for their great work. In addition, he founded an ran the Morris Softball League as P.S. 19 for 16 years, serving more than 900 children each summer.
 
"I consider this award an amazing honor. As a lifelong Staten Islander, I have lived my life for faith, family and community,” said Morris. “My hope is that my receiving this honor will serve as an example to others, especially  the young people, to direct them in service to community to make Staten Island a better place."
 
"I can't think of any one more suited to receive the Maniscalco Award,” said Morris’ daughter, Dolores. “Dad has always been about community service, especially to the youth of Staten Island. There are thousands of Staten Island young people now adults, who have been touched by his dedication. I'm thrilled that he is finally being recognized for all he has done."
 
Here are the past winners of the Maniscalco Award:
 
Richard E. Diamond, John L.F. Sipp, Norma D’Arrigo, Allan Weissglass, Martin Stallone, Roger E. Acker, Reverend Robert I. Gannon, Michael F. Manzulli, Michael J. Petrides, Marie G. Martino, Frank Powers, Susie Hyun Sook Beidel, Brian J. Laline, Reverend Hattie Smith-Davis, and Joseph V. Madory, Lou Caravone, Jose Joe Valentin, Nancy Passeri, retired Borough Commander Anthony Marra, Reverend Terry Troia, Senator John J. Marchi, Wendy Pellegrino, Fred Ariemma, Joanne E. Gerenser, Ph.D., Dr. S. Chitoor Govindaraj, Kathryn Krause Rooney, the Siller Family, George and Maria Esposito, the Mannix Family, and the Dr. Theodore Atlas Foundation.
Picture

    News Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014

    Tags

    All
    Active Recreation
    Andrew Cuomo
    Andrew Lanza
    Bill De Blasio
    Borough Board
    Borough Hall
    BP Assist
    Brad Gair
    Capital Funding
    Charles Fall
    Charles Schumer
    City Agencies
    Clean Up SI
    Community
    Community Boards
    Community Events
    Cory Johnson
    COVID 19
    Cultural Attractions
    Dan Donovan
    Deborah Rose
    Diane Savino
    District Attorney
    DSNY
    Economic Development
    Ed Burke
    Education
    Emergency Services
    End Of Year Message
    FDNY
    Film/TV
    GCL 36
    Health
    Hurricane Sandy
    ICivics
    Infrastructure
    James Oddo
    Jocko Willink
    Joseph Borelli
    Kathy Hochul
    Lorraine Grillo
    Matthew Titone
    Max Rose
    Michael Cusick
    Michael McMahon
    Mike Reilly
    Nicole Malliotakis
    Northwell Health
    NYC Mayor
    NY Governor
    NYPD
    Opioid Epidemic
    Own The 18
    Parks
    Pave Baby Pave
    Poet Laureate
    Private Roads
    Readers Are Leaders
    Reading
    Resource Fair
    Roads
    Rolling Thunder
    Ron Castorina
    RUMC
    Security
    SIUH
    Social Media
    Steven Matteo
    Students
    Substance Abuse
    Summer Events
    Tech
    Too Good For Drugs
    Tourism
    Transportation
    Veterans
    Video
    Vincent Ignizio
    Virtual
    Volunteers

    Picture
    Media Inquiries

    Please contact the Department of Communications.

    Colleen Siuzdak
    Manager,
    Communications & External Affairs

    718-816-2057
    csiuzdak@statenislandusa.com 

    ​​​
RESOURCES
​
​Helpful Links
Local Government
Borough Board
INITIATIVES
​
​Clean Up SI
​
Culture & The Arts
​Economic Development
Education


​Health & Wellness
Infrastructure
Parks
Substance Abuse


​The Heart Project
Tourism
Transparency
Transportation
CONTACT

​BP Assist Mobile App
BP's Office
Staff Directory
Internships
About Us
Privacy Policy
Office of Staten Island Borough President James S. Oddo  •  10 Richmond Terrace  •  Staten Island, NY 10301  •  718-816-2000
Picture