Martin Francis Morris died peacefully with family by his side in Falmouth on Jan. 30. He was 77.

Mugsy, as he was known, was born Martin Francis Morris at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis on August 5, 1933 at 10:30 a.m. to Harold and Annie (Folsom) Morris.

After attending Sacred Heart School, he entered the U.S. Marine Corps in October of 1950. He served his country during the Korean War. He was discharged from the Marine Corps in October 1953.

Mugsy came to Martha’s Vineyard and raised a family of four children with his wife, Betty. He earned his living, like so many Islanders, by fishing the sea for swordfish, cod, scallops and most anything. He became employed and subsequently retired from the Edgartown highway department. He then began employment with the Steamship Authority at both the Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs terminals.

He enjoyed traveling and his trips included Las Vegas, New Orleans, Mexico and Ireland. You could often find Mugsy playing cribbage on weekends, or sometimes taking off on a fantastic road trip with Teeterbug and the gang.

He decided to make the move across the pond to Falmouth in December of 1998 and continued employment with the Steamship Authority in security. Married twice, Mugsy opted for bachelorhood in his retirement years. He enjoyed his memberships at the Elks Club and Amvets Post of Falmouth. He was a life member of the VFW and was active in Post 9261 in Oak Bluffs for many years. He will be fondly remembered for his wit and his way with words that couldn’t help but bring a smile and a chuckle. He enjoyed swapping stories with friends, military friends and fishing buddies and will be dearly missed.

He was predeceased by his two brothers, Paul and Harold Morris. He is survived by his children, Jeanne Alwardt and her husband Herman of Raymond, N.H., Paula Bliss and Joseph Triskett of Falmouth, Kitty Victoria of Round Rock, Tex., and Raymond Morris and his wife Jennifer of Omaha, Neb. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Bryan Alwardt and his wife Kim, Joy Gallant and her husband D.J., Amy Alwardt Gaddi and her husband Joe, Dane Bliss and his wife Jennifer, Emily Bliss, Nicolas Victoria, Krystofer Victoria, Allison Morris and Andrea Morris. He also leaves several great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 4, at the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Falmouth. Interment will follow at the V.A. National Cemetery of Massachusetts in Bourne.

For online guest book and directions, go to ccgfuneralhome.com