Joseph Paul Morris, 69, of Lake Silkworth, passed away peacefully in the presence of his loving family at his home on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Born November 2, 1956 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he was the son of the late Kathryn Brenner Lahr and Joseph Morris.

Joe was a 1974 graduate of Bishop Hoban High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from King’s College in 1978.

Joe was a work-release counselor for the Luzerne County Division of Corrections for 33 years before retiring. In his retirement, he was a hall and ISS monitor for the Hanover Area School District.

Joe was a member of the Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. He was the self-appointed Mayor of Lake Silkworth, where he enjoyed fishing with his sons and grandchildren. Joe was a fan of the Miami Dolphins, loved spending time with family and friends, and enjoyed his Crown Royal Manhattans.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Marie Brenner.

His wife, the former Mary Ellen Hoolick; sons Joseph and his wife Sheila Morris, and Matthew and his wife Melissa Morris; grandchildren Harper, Hayes, and Haidyn Morris; other family and friends will miss him very much.

Celebration of Joe’s Life begins Friday, May 8, 2026, with visitation from 4 to 7 PM at McLaughlin’s, 142 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 9 AM in the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at Lake Silkworth.

Fly High, Mayor!

Share memories and condolences with Joe’s family at mjmclaughlin.com