OBIT: Morris Russell HAY, 1944, Salisbury, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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MORRIS RUSSELL HAY

Death Terminates Long Illness of Elder Russell Hay
Long Life of Retired Merchant Devoted to Service of His Church

  Morris Russell Hay died at his home in Salisbury about 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, 
July 29, of cerebral hemorrhage.  He was born in Salisbury, a son of Peter S. 
and Elizabeth Dively Hay, and lived 81 years, 6 months and 13 days.
  He is survived by one brother, George C. Hay of Pittsburgh, one niece, 
Elizabeth L., wife of Wilbur B. Lichliter, and one nephew, A. Fay Lichty.  He 
was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters, two brothers and one 
sister in infancy, and Jennie, wife of the late Dr. Albert M. Lichty, in 1907 at 
the age of 40, and Harvey, in 1931, aged 74.
  Funeral services were held at the family home at 4:00 p.m., Monday, July 31.  
Rev. Ira S. Monn, pastor of St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church, 
conducted the services.  The pallbearers were the members of the consistory of 
his church, the six deacons being the active and the six elders, the honorary 
pall-bearers.  Interment was made in the I.O.O.F. cemetery in Salisbury.  The 
funeral arrangements were in charge of Mortician Stanley M. Thomas.
  Mr. Hay was stricken by cerebral hemorrhage in September, 1941.  He partially 
recovered in 1942 and was able to be up and about near home, but after a few 
weeks, was stricken again and had been confined to his bed ever since.
  For many years, Russell Hay and his elder brother, Harvey, conducted the P. S. 
Hay general merchandise store as successors to their father, Peter S. Hay.  The 
business was established by Samuel J. Lichty and Peter S. Saylor, who in 1856 
sold it, the first general store of any consequence in Salisbury, to Peter S. 
Hay and his brother, Michael, as partners, but after a few years, Peter bought 
out his brother's interest in the business.  Even before their father's death at 
the age of 70 in 1903, the sons, Harvey and 
Russell were the guiding hands in the business and it was conducted under the 
same name until its discontinuance in 1935, after 79 years at the same location 
on the corner of Ord and Grant Streets.  Russell remained in business alone for 
four years after his brother's death in 1931, when he felt he could no longer 
handle it.
  Throughout all his life, Russell was a faithful member of St. John's 
Evangelical and Reformed Church.  He was secretary of the Sunday School for 57 
years, and at one time had a record of attendance without absence, although no 
one now seems to know exactly how many years it was.  He was a member of the 
consistory of his church for 49 years after his election as deacon on April 6, 
1895, during the pastorate of Rev. D. H. Leader.  He was elected elder and 
secretary of the church, April 16, 1903, during the pastorate of Rev. Homer S. 
May.
  He was elected treasurer of his church on May 1, 1911, and served until 
January 1942.  And in January 1943, he was elected elder emeritus, a distinction 
he was the first and only member of his church to be granted.  He served as 
secretary of the joint consistory of Paradise Charge of the Reformed Church for 
38 years, from April 20, 1903, and as treasurer for eight years from April 23, 
1923.
  Aside from his business and his church, Russell Hay had few other interests.  
In his youth, he was quite a bicyclist, and took many trips of long distances.  
At one time he and the late Marshall Livengood cycled into Virginia and down the 
Shenandoah Valley, in the days when there were no smooth highways.  He enjoyed 
fishing for trout for many years, and when planning to fish would leave about 
two in the morning without having gone to bed.  He was liberal with all 
community projects, but usually took no active part in them.
  All business houses in town closed at 3:45 for the day, as a mark of respect 
for one of their number, and so that all might have an opportunity of attending 
the funeral.

Meyersdale Republican, August 3, 1944