Scout's Heartbroken Family: 'Andrew McMorris Was No Ordinary Boy'

WADING RIVER, NY — The heartbroken parents of Andrew Spencer McMorris, 12 — a young Boy Scout who died after he and four of his fellow Boy Scouts were hit by an alleged drunk driver Sunday in Manorville — have opened their hearts to share their thoughts and memories of their precious son.

In a statement to Patch, John and Alisa McMorris wrote: “Words cannot express how grateful we are for all your love, prayers, thoughts and deeds. They all mean so much to us. Thank you is not enough. Give all your children and loved ones an extra-long hug today and don’t wait for the right time to express love to one another. Peace and love to you all.”

In a statement, Andrew's devastated parents, faced with unfathomable and unthinkable loss, described the essence of their precious son: "Andrew McMorris was no ordinary boy. Andrew was born with a sense of wonder and amazement of the world around him, and he never lost the ability to be awed by and delighted with all it had to offer. Andrew was an artful child, and he channeled his abundant creativity through painting, acting, singing, and playing his piano, guitar, mandolin and ukulele. Always up for a costume, Andrew was Tin Man in his fifth grade production of The Wizard of Oz and, of course, Michael Jackson."

Andrew, his parents said, "was an active kid, and was often on the rosters of community soccer and basketball teams. This year, Andrew joined his middle school cross country team and had looked forward to running with his team in his first meet this week. He loved to ski, and looked forward to long weekends and fresh powder. He loved being outdoors, especially hiking and camping trips with his friends in Troop 161."

Andrew, they added, "was a dedicated community member, providing years of service through his participation with his Boy Scout Troop, Cub Scouts, and various school organizations. Serving in Boy Scouts was an honor Andrew was proud of. He was dedicated to obtaining the highest honor of Eagle Scout. He participated in countless fundraisers, community clean-ups, and other projects such as tree planting and gardening."

In addition, they said, their sweet, caring boy loved to travel, and was always up for trips, visits and excursions. Together with his family, Andrew toured parts of Hawaii and Alaska, explored Paris, France, London, England and sailed Disney cruises.

"Bright and hardworking, Andrew was an Honor Roll student. Classmates, teachers and friends found him sometimes silly, always funny and, occasionally, a bit cheeky. He was a friend to everyone and showed kindness to all," they said.

Andrew was a loving son to Alisa and John, and a dedicated brother to Arianna. And to the larger SWR community of parents and children, Andrew is remembered as their “son from another mother” and their “other brother”.

But more than any other characteristic, what stands out about Andrew is his desire to fly and his passion for aviation, his family wrote.

"Andrew wanted to fly before he could walk. Airplanes, helicopters and rockets were the obsession of his life, and he achieved his first piloting goal this past summer during AeroCamp. Andrew was occasionally chided by parents, coaches and teachers for 'having his head in the clouds', but for Andrew, that only made sense," his family said. "He wanted his whole self in the clouds, broken free of the bonds of this earth, borne up into an endless sky, with nothing but blue around him and horizon ahead, aloft and away. Fly high, Andrew."

His family has also added that they've been advised that some people have placed items at the scene of the accident. "We ask that you not do so. Andrew and the other injured Scouts are no longer there. We ask that you remember Andrew in your hearts, and not at the scene. It would be an unspeakable tragedy for another person to be injured on the roadside. In Andrew’s memory we ask for prayer, and if you feel the need to do something then tie a red ribbon on your property, and treat others with kindness in his name."

Funeral services have been set for Andrew.

Visitation will begin Thursday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Branch Funeral Home of Miller Place, located at 551 Route 25, Miller Place, NY 11764. Visitation will also take place on Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

A funeral service will take place on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 9 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, at 111 Nassau Avenue, Islip, NY 11751. Interment will follow at Nassau Knolls Cemetery, 500 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington, NY 11050.

In lieu of flowers the family has suggested donations to honor the loving memory of Andrew to: Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 33 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 210W Huntington Station, NY 11746; Wildcats Helping the Arts & Music Payable to: WHAM PO Box 458 Shoreham, NY 11786; or the GoFundMe, "Troop 161 Memorial & Support Fund."

"There are some things we cannot possibly Be Prepared for, but we can stand ready to respond when we are called," the GoFundMe said.

"The pain and loss of the families of Troop 161 is beyond description, and we are all with them during this time, the McMorris family most of all. As Eagle Scouts, we have pledged countless times to help others, and we find ourselves duty-bound to ask for your help for these Scouts now. As we grieve with them today, we also want them to have access to resources they need to provide counsel and continue to be able to lean on each other in the times to come."

And, the page, continued: "As we kneel and remember Andrew, so also do we stand with the boys, men, and families who will remember him best. We ask that you join us in supporting them, and that we can help in some way to strengthen the bonds they share to aid them in their journey ahead."
The page was organized by Eagle Scouts of former Troop 145 in Riverhead, including Chris Courtenay, Everett Gilliam II, and Jeff Schultz.

All funds will be distributed to Troop 161 via the Troop Committee for the primary use for any counseling/training needs, with the remainder to be used at the discretion of the Troop committee for the purpose of expanding or enhancing access to troop activities, and any other Scouting-related charitable needs, the page said.

Andrew's troop has asked that mourners wear red or place red ribbons in memory of his life.

Photo courtesy Branch Funeral Home.

Photos of Andrew, and his original artwork, courtesy McMorris family.