Obituary: Howard E. Morong, 75, Navy Veteran Lived in Wenham

Obituary from Lyons Funeral Home

Howard E. Morong, 75, died Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014 at his home in Wenham.

He was the husband of Cynthia R. (Purdy) Morong, with whom he shared 47 years of marriage.

Born in Cambridge, he was the son of the late George A. and Frances (Harrington) Morong. He was raised and educated in Parkerhead, Maine.

After joining the U.S. Army National Guard in 1956, he transferred to the U.S. Navy in 1958. Howard was a Navy Corpsman who served most of his career attached to the U.S. Marine Corps as a “Corpsman of the Marines”. He was proud of his service and wore the uniform with pride. Howard earned numerous medals, including the Navy/Marine Commendation, Navy Good Conduct (2 stars), National Defense, Armed Forces Exp., Vietnam Service “3 stars”, and the RVN, Cross of Gallantry. He was a member of the Marine Corps League, Essex County Detachment, Beverly Vietnam Veterans, Fleet Reserve, the D.A.V., and the War Memorial Committee of Wenham.

After 43 years in the pest control business, he retired. His joy turned to spending time with family at their cottage in Liberty, Maine.

In addition to his loving wife, he leaves his son and daughter-in-law, Brent and Debra Morong and their children, Jillian, Taylor, and Haley Morong, his daughter and son-in-law, Heidi and Matt Poulin and her children , Cal and Travis Kneeland and their father, Ron Kneeland. He also leaves a sister, Pauline Fountain of New York, two brothers, Gilbert of New Hampshire and David of California, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers John, Arthur, George, and Laurence, and his sister, Frances.

His Funeral Service will be Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014 at 10 a.m. in Christ Church, 149 Asbury St., Hamilton. Burial will follow in Wenham Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited.

Visiting hours are Wednesday, Aug. 27 from 5-7 p.m. in C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Smile Train, a charity devoted to repair cleft palate defects in children, at www.smiletrain.org or the Wenham War Memorial, c/o Town Hall, 138 Main St., Wenham, MA 01984.