Fond memories of Mason are shared at service

FRIENDS and family gathered to pay tribute to a '˜God-loving' religious leader and mathematician in Portsmouth.
Michael Morgan gives a reading in memory of his late father The Rev Dr Michael Morgan, who died a year ago  
Picture: Malcolm Wells (160126-5640)Michael Morgan gives a reading in memory of his late father The Rev Dr Michael Morgan, who died a year ago  
Picture: Malcolm Wells (160126-5640)
Michael Morgan gives a reading in memory of his late father The Rev Dr Michael Morgan, who died a year ago Picture: Malcolm Wells (160126-5640)

Scores of people united at a memorial service at Portsmouth Cathedral to mark the one-year anniversary of the death of the Rev Doctor Michael Morgan.

Dr Morgan, formerly of Southsea, was a well-known Freemason leader in the city and was the former head of mathematics at Highbury College, in Cosham.

Among those paying tribute was his son Michael.

The Very Reverend David Brindley, The Dean of Portsmouth who led the service replaces The Paschal Candle after it was lit 


Picture: Malcolm Wells (160126-5621)The Very Reverend David Brindley, The Dean of Portsmouth who led the service replaces The Paschal Candle after it was lit 


Picture: Malcolm Wells (160126-5621)
The Very Reverend David Brindley, The Dean of Portsmouth who led the service replaces The Paschal Candle after it was lit Picture: Malcolm Wells (160126-5621)
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He gave a moving eulogy during the service, in which he hailed his father’s three best qualities – his love, compassion and formality.

Michael, 54, said: ‘He was unstoppable.

‘He would help everyone whom he came across.

‘He put unconditional love into practice. He certainly left the world a better place.’

The Very Reverend David Brindley, The Dean of Portsmouth who led the service replaces The Paschal Candle after it was lit 


Picture: Malcolm Wells (160126-5621)The Very Reverend David Brindley, The Dean of Portsmouth who led the service replaces The Paschal Candle after it was lit 


Picture: Malcolm Wells (160126-5621)
The Very Reverend David Brindley, The Dean of Portsmouth who led the service replaces The Paschal Candle after it was lit Picture: Malcolm Wells (160126-5621)

About 100 people attended the hour-long memorial service to the 82-year-old.

During it, they heard how he was born in Isleworth, London, on June 7, 1932.

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He was educated at Tankerton College in Kent and Harrow Grammar School.

After the Second World War, Michael was sent to Paris to work at the Supreme HQ of Allied Powers in Europe during his national service as a French interpreter for the US Army.

Soon after, he met his future wife Margaret while in London. The couple married on August 22, 1953 and celebrated their diamond anniversary in 2013.

Michael had been a Freemason for more than 50 years and was ordained at Portsmouth Cathedral in 1974.

He rose to a high rank in the Freemasonry movement.

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During the service, the Rev Dr John Railton told how Michael relished raising money for charity, completing numerous cycle rides and even reaching Everest Base Camp.

After a trip to India, Michael founded an orphanage for children.

He died on January 26, 2015, leaving wife Margaret, their two children, Michael and Sharon, and five grandchildren.