For close to half-a-century he has been associated with table tennis and for four decades the name Keith Morris was virtually synonymous with the sport in Barbados.
Morris passed away last week after a lengthy illness and will be laid to rest today after a service at the James Street Methodist Church at 9:30 a.m.
He was the secretary of the Barbados Table Tennis Association (BTTA) from 1959 until his resignation in 1999.
Although Morris had been away from active involvement since then, secretary of the BTTA Marguerita Felix believes the effects of his contribution continue to be felt by the current crop of players and administrators.
“I never had the opportunity to work closely with Keith but I am continually seeing the benefits of the hard work he put in,” Felix told MIDWEEK SPORT.
“Many of the more experienced players still talk about him and his immense contribution. They appreciate the contacts that he made and the opportunities presented to them because of his influence.
“I am constantly reminded of his selfless actions that allowed many players to achieve even with limited resources.
“The BTTA continues to benefit from the foundation that Mr Morris put in place,” she added.
Dr Leo Moseley, whose daughter Kibibi Moseley won three Caribbean singles titles during the Morris era, recalled the period they served together on the executive of the BTTA.
“I have the utmost respect for his dedication to the sport and the way he approached life.
“He was among the most generous of persons I have known, stern but always fair and fully committed to the Table Tennis Association,” said the former BTTA president.
“I knew him from school days playing in the YMCA and on my return to Barbados in 1981, he immediately encouraged me to get back into it (table tennis) as an administrator.
“I was very saddened to learn of his illness and although his death was not unexpected it has affected me greatly,” said Moseley.
“Kibibi, who grew up in table tennis under his watchful eye, called me and was very emotional and almost overcome because she had such great love and respect for Keith.
“My wife has also expressed her sadness because he was a part of our lives for quite some time.”
BTTA president Trevor Browne also spoke highly of Morris.
“He has been a role model for sports administration even though he has been away from the sport for about 12 years now.
“He is still a household name in table tennis circles and will always be,” said Browne.
“He has been correctly credited with much of the important work done in Barbados from an administrative point of view.”