MELVIN MORRIS RIP - ACCOUNTING ICON

MELVILLE MORRIS RIP - ACCOUNTING ICON

A LIFE WELL LIVED

It is with much sadness that we report upon the recent passing of Melville Morris on 12 April, 2021

Melville must have been known by everyone within the Liverpool accounting and professional business community, and he was very warmly regarded by all who knew him. Born on 4th November 1925, he was admitted to the ICAEW in 1949, when just 24, after a stint in the Merchant Navy. Melville was still practicing until very recently, an amazing 71 years, and would often be seen heading to the office. The only thing that curtailed even Melville was the arrival of a global pandemic. He really missed going to the office two days a week but he still engaged with clients from home.

He married his dear wife, Alma, in 1950, and they enjoyed a very happy 66 years together. They had two daughters, Carole and Julia, four grandchildren, Rebecca, Talya, Avi and Daniella, and four great grandchildren, Freddie, Summer, Kendall and Vinnie who are a testimony to that. Melville and Alma met on their respective ways to a football match, and whilst she was a Manchester United fan, and Melville a lifelong Liverpool fan and season ticket holder, their differences did not stop their wonderful future relationship.

Melville practiced for over 70 years, with offices in Dale Street, near to the Vernon Arms, and then at Trident House on Dale Street. He had many long-standing clients, and a great deal of loyalty and affection was generated between he and them.

His practice has now been taken over by Oscar Ip who recalls the first time they met. “Sixteen years ago, Melville was looking for an assistant, and perhaps a successor. On my arrival, I was greeted by the always wellgroomed Melville, and my interview consisted of reviewing some of his client files and my thoughts on how I might improve his systems. He immediately made me feel welcome and comfortable, and he become a fine mentor to me with his great insight, charm and friendship.

He had an amazing energy, and as an early riser, was always in the office before me. I really missed him when he started to take it a little easier, and I was honoured when he felt able for me to take on the practice and keep his fine values and client service alive". - Oscar lp

“He always joked that one day he would retire and I would complete my probation period.

“He had an amazing energy, and as an early riser, was always in the office before me. I really missed him when he started to take it a little easier, and I was honoured when he felt able for me to take on the practice and keep his fine values and client service alive.”

Another stalwart of the Liverpool accounting scene remembers Melville with great affection too. Andrew Kilshaw worked for him in the 1970’s and recalls a very firm, but fair employer, dedicated to his work and clients, and devoted to his family.

I can certainly testify to his indefatigable spirit and cheerfulness, and his family, and the Liverpool accounting world have certainly lost a character of the highest order. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone who knew him, and on behalf of the Society, I’d like to acknowledge the life of a fine gentlemen and an outstanding chartered accountant". - Martyn Best

“Melville was a very capable footballer in his youth, and an absolutely devoted Liverpool supporter.

“He also had a very mischievous sense of humour, and once in the power cuts of the seventies, a neighbour had annoyed him and when we noticed that the neighbour had a light on (at the back of the building) Melville phoned “This is Detective Inspector Jones from The Bridewell – we have a report that your lights are on” and lambasted him for the offence. After 5 minutes the light was still on, so Melville phoned again with a more serious tone saying a constable would visit the premises and to our great amusement the offender jumped out of his chair, ran across the room and switched off the lights and whenever we checked after that he obeyed the rules.

“Whenever I suggested retirement, he always refused saying “I love my job”. “

Mandy Best worked for Melville in the 80’s and 90’s and remembers him with great fondness. “Melville was well known for running frantically wherever he went – whether it was to a client meeting, or to complete his own banking two minutes before the bank closed. Yet somehow, he would always have time to stop and speak with everyone he knew. His meetings with clients would always overrun because he took such a genuine interest in their lives and their businesses and their families. He’d look after his staff really well, and always combined Christmas meals with a visit to a client, and he’d always have his lovely wife, Alma, join us to hear about everyone’s news.

“He was hugely loyal, and he gave me such a good grounding in accounting and bookkeeping, and after I’d left him to have my daughter Jessica, he always kept in touch, and when I established my own business, he’d regularly refer clients to me, and ask about Jessica as she grew up.

“He was certainly one of a kind.”

Melville was honoured by the Institute in 2000 after 50 years in practice, and in January 2021 he was awarded lifetime membership.

Our Editor knew Melville for many years too. “I can certainly testify to his indefatigable spirit and cheerfulness, and his family, and the Liverpool accounting world have certainly lost a character of the highest order. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone who knew him, and on behalf of the Society, I’d like to acknowledge the life of a fine gentlemen and an outstanding chartered accountant.”

He certainly had a full life, and the great bookkeeper in the sky will now have some good company for those ledgers.