Ronald Morrissey, Ph.D., a prolific researcher and scientist in the surface finishing industry, passed away January 3 at age 89.
Dr. Morrissey retired in 2021 as Vice President of Technic. In his career, he received numerous U.S. patents and wrote academic papers that were presented at industry events.
From his obituary:
Ronald James Morrissey, husband, father of four, scientist, and avid photographer, passed away on January 3 at the age of 89.
He was born in Staten Island, New York, on September 25, 1934, and attended the Augustinian Academy high school. Ron studied chemistry at Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, NJ, receiving his B.S. degree in 1956. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in physical chemistry in 1961 from Fordham University, studying under Father Clarence Schubert. Ron’s thesis was titled “The Reaction of Ozone with Propane and Ethane.”
After completing his graduate studies, Ron entered the Army and was stationed at Fort Huachuca in Arizona near the Mexican border. He worked in the field of cryptography, eventually earning the rank of Captain in Army Intelligence and Security. Although he lost the hearing in one ear during a tank exercise, he spoke fondly of his Army service, and his time in the Southwest gave him an appreciation for great American landscapes.
Ron returned to Staten Island after his Army service and met his wife Elizabeth Ann Schwimer on the Staten Island Ferry. They had a whirlwind courtship and were married at Saint Teresa’s Church on September 18, 1965. After their wedding, they moved to Harrisburg, PA where Ron started his first job at AMP Incorporated, specializing in the manufacture of electrical connectors. They had the first three of their four children, all boys, during their time in Pennsylvania.
In 1974, Ron and Elizabeth moved with their growing family to Rhode Island, where they settled in Cranston. Their fourth child, a daughter, was born later that same year. Ron worked at Technic Incorporated developing chemicals and chemical processes for electroplating metals. Over the course of his career at Technic, Ron was the author of numerous U.S. patents and academic papers. Notable among these was “A Versatile Non-cyanide Gold Plating System” (Plating and Surface Finishing, 1993) and “Electrolytic Determination of Porosity in Gold Electroplates: I. Corrosion Potential Measurements” (J. Elec Chem Soc, 1970). Ron retired from Technic as Vice President at the age of 86 in 2021.
Ron had a life-long interest in photography, an enthusiasm that he instilled in his children and grandchildren. He was the owner of an eclectic assortment of film cameras ranging from an 8mm Minox miniature to a medium format Minolta twin lens reflex. Late in life he finally acquired a pair of prized Leica rangefinders, crowning his collection. Ron was partial to color slide films and accumulated a library of thousands of images starting in his teen years. He also maintained a black and white darkroom in the basement of the house and enjoyed instructing beginners in its use.
Ron enjoyed road trips to photograph New England and traveled with the family to New Hampshire for summer conferences. He was comfortable being by himself and took day trips to be with his own thoughts. Mystic Seaport was a favorite. In later years, he traveled to Maine, and discovered the Wyoming Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, which provided the backdrops for numerous late summer trips. Ron and the family spent many hours driving the park roads in search of wildlife and the perfect sunset.
Ron is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elizabeth; four children: Ronald, Patrick, James and Maria; and four grandchildren: Emily, Ellie, Rachael, and Grady.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, 30 Fenner Street, Providence, Saturday, January 13, at 10am. Burial will follow at the St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. A visitation for Mr. Morrissey will take place Friday, January 12, from 4pm until 7pm in the Woodlawn Funeral Home, 600 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the chemistry departments of Saint Peter’s University and Fordham University.
