William Leonard “Lee” Morse Jr., 71, an entrepreneur who was president of the former Chestnut Hill firm of Eichler & Moffly Realtors, died May 6 of Parkinson’s disease at his home in Chestnut Hill.
Mr. Morse joined Eichler & Moffly as a Realtor and purchased the firm in 1995. He sold the company for health reasons in February of 2012 to Prudential Fox & Roach.
Early in his career he operated a women’s clothing store called La Piuma in Center City. Later, he developed an entire square block of vacation homes in Avalon, N.J. He then established Morsels, a line of women’s wear featuring original silk-screened designs that were sold all over the country and in his store on Nantucket.
Once again, in the 1980s, he became involved in the construction industry, which led to his becoming a Realtor and ultimately the owner of Eichler & Moffly.
Mr. Morse’s daughter Christina Kelly, of Chestnut Hill, described her father as “tall, handsome and charismatic” who was “comfortable engaging with all types of people.”
“He was a warm and fiercely loyal friend who adored great conversation over a glass of J&B scotch,” she said.
Born and raised in Germantown, he was a graduate of Germantown High School and attended the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Morse enjoyed art, music and books and spending time in Maine and Nantucket.
In addition to his daughter Christina, he is survived by a daughter, Alison Walker, of Bellingham, Wash.; his former wife, Susan Andress Morse; and five grandchildren.
A celebration of his life will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at Sunnybrook Golf Club, 398 Stenton Ave. in Plymouth Meeting, Memorial donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at www.michaeljfox.org. – WF
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