Horace Wesley Morris Sr. may have been an iron tackle at Syracuse University, but he was a soft touch when it came to the needs of the community, particularly during his stellar leadership years at the New York Urban League (NYUL) and United Way of New York City. Morris, 83, made his transition Friday, Dec. 9, in Willingboro, N.J.

“He was my mentor, colleague and friend,” said Darwin Davis, a former executive director of the NYUL. “Horace had a remarkable career in business and civic affairs. He was an all-around good man.”

According to his son, Bryan, Morris was born May 28, 1928, in Elizabeth, N.J. He grew up in Burlington, attended Burlington High School and was later coach of the junior high school’s football team. “He came along at a time when a Black man couldn’t be the head coach of the senior team,” Bryan added.

Morris attended Syracuse University on a football scholarship and made his mark on the gridiron before the phenomenal successes of Jim Brown and Ernie Davis, the first Black to earn the Heisman Trophy in 1961. Davis died two years later from leukemia.

Morris earned his master’s degree in education at Rutgers University, which set him on a distinguished course, with a brief tenure in Florida where he was CEO of the Dade County Manpower and Employment programs.

In 1975, he replaced Livingston L. Wingate as the sixth executive director of the NYUL. “With the help of the board and staff, Morris undertook the reorganization of the league,” a press statement from the NYUL informed. “He restored its positive public image, strengthened the league’s advocacy efforts and called attention to the serious plight of New York City’s minorities. Before transitioning to his position as executive vice president of the United Way of New York City,” he was pivotal in reducing the debt of the league.”

“Mr. Morris,” said Dolly Christian, an emeritus member of the NYUL board, “was a visionary, totally committed to the mission of the Urban League. His commitment to the social needs of the community was renowned and continued long after he retired. His advice and counsel will be missed by many. Horace was a dear friend.”

That abiding concern for the community was manifested in so many thoughtful and productive ways. Morris’ connections and resourcefulness enabled him to bring additional resources to the elderly and unemployed, building on NYUL’s history of service delivery.

“During his tenure, graduate students from the Columbia University School of Social Work were provided with practical field experience through the NYUL’s internship program,” the statement from NYUL added. “The elderly could remain in their homes, thanks to an elderly care program in Queens. Unemployed adults were offered training to become therapy aides and were assured positions with the United Cerebral Palsy Hospital upon completion of training.”

In his own words, Morris once said, “We have done so much, but so much more needs to be done. We are determined to improve services to the minority community…to pursue the goal of equal opportunity for all New Yorkers.”

Morris also spoke out when President Barack Obama delivered his speech on race in March 2008. “He’s speaking about what we need to do today,” Morris told USA Today. “All of us have to face this problem. It’s not a Black problem or a white problem, it’s America’s problem.”

Current NYUL President and CEO Arva Rice observed, “Horace Morris was a mentor and friend to so many in the nonprofit community. His thoughtful leadership and compassion will be sorely missed.”

The NYUL noted that Morris was instrumental in implementing change, helping the league become more effective and efficient during troubled times. They will continue to honor the memory of Morris by carrying on his commitment to the underserved of this great city of New York.

Morris’s homegoing services will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16 at Wesley AME Zion Church, 204 Sunset Rd., Burlington, N.J.