Morris Louis Sarnoff

Obituary of Morris Sarnoff

Morris Sarnoff, 90, of Vineland, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on May 1, 2017. He was born September 12, 1926 to Israel and Rose (Hoffman) Sarnoff in Norma, New Jersey. He was raised on a farm in very humble means recalling that he used to work picking asparagus before school for $.25 a week. He went to school, was Bar Mitzvahed and became a marbles champion in his younger days in Norma. He loved going to Alliance beach and spending time with friends and loved ones who called him by his Hebrew name "Moishe". During World War II, Morris received a draft notice at the age of 17 for The United States Army but recalls thinking that if he was "going to get it" he'd rather be in a boat then a foxhole so he enlisted in the U.S. Navy instead. He participated in the Battle of The Leyte Gulf which crippled the Japanese Navy and is considered to be a "turning point" of the war and the largest naval battle of WWII and in history. His tours in the Navy continued on the USS Amsterdam in the South Pacific which included two tours at Pearl Harbor. The Amsterdam, a Cleveland Light Cruiser, protected aircraft carriers from attack by enemy air and surface forces. He often told stories of working in the engine room where it was over 120°. One day he was instructed by his commander to man a deck gun to return fire to Japanese kamikaze war planes which he did without any training or preparation. Morris also was a great baseball player in the service. He was solicited by three major league baseball teams and due to unfortunate circumstances had to decline. He served faithfully his country with the "Greatest Generation" and then was honorably discharged where he returned to Vineland, New Jersey. Upon his return Morris had a bread delivery route with Friedman's bakery, got married and had his first child Shelley. He then worked with East End Motors on Landis Avenue and later started Sarno Chemical Company which became one of the largest corporations in the tri-state area for car cleaning chemicals at the time. His passion for cars and keeping an immaculate yard was only second to meeting the love of his life and wife for almost 50 years Dorothy "Dodie" Gallagher at a Fourth of July car show in Haddonfield New Jersey. Morris and Dodie raised two boys David and Michael along with Shelley in Vineland. Morris continued his passion for cars and created a collection of Chrysler "Town and Country" Woodies years 1941-1950 that was world renowned. Morris and Dodie started an annual Navy reunion with his buddies from the USS Amsterdam and USS Remey. His love for his family, grandchildren and great grandchildren brought smiles to his face, especially on the beaches of Ocean City and Margate. Morris was a great friend, being described as honest, loyal and a great joke teller (even if they were sometimes inappropriate). He belonged to multiple car clubs and Sons of Jacob congregation on Grape St. which considered him a "Mench". The always contributing to the synoguage where Dodie eventually became President of Sisterhood at the peak of it's membership in the 1980's. At 70 years old Morris won second place in his age class at the "World's Strongest Man" weight lifting competition, receiving multiple trophies and medals which he proudly displayed with the over a hundred car trophies and plaques he obtained throughout the years. Morris remained strong for over 20 years after that, surviving multiple heart surgeries, broken bones and kidney disease he had as a result of his service in the war. Morris was laid to rest at Alliance Cemetery, back in Norma, on May 2nd near his mother's grave who he had lost at the young age of 8. His Mother was only 39 years old. His Funeral was exceptionally organized by Rone Funeral Home. They had a line so long it had to be shut down after an hour and a half wait so they may start the service. Morris had an outstanding representation of family, friends, Vineland Police, Veterans, The Honor Guard and many important members of the community who had fond memories of his over 70 years residence in Vineland. On behalf of the entire Sarnoff Family our sincerest Gratitude for helping us on so many levels through this tough time. Although he wasn't able to get to the Major Leagues, Morris ended up our Family's MVP. He is survived by his wife Dodie, their children Dr. David Sarnoff and wife Terri, Dr. Michael Sarnoff and his wife Dr. Katie, his sister Sylvia (Sarnoff) Goodman and her boys Freddy and Robert, his brother Darwin and his daughters Elizabeth and Sondra, his son-in law Michael Stein; his grandchildren Dr. Melissa Stein and Jacob Stein and wife Dr. Anna Stein, Elijah Sarnoff and Noah Sarnoff and his greatgrandchildren Rachel and Will Stein. Morris is predeceased by his beloved daughter Rochelle "Shelley" Stein. .May his memory be a blessing. In lieu of gifts Donations in memory of Morris may be made to: Jewish Federation of Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties, 1015 East Park Avenue, Suite B, Vineland, NJ 08360 and/or Sons of Jacob Congregation PO Box 695 Vineland, New Jersey 08362