Marysville City Council buff gets birthday surprise

McKenna Golat, Port Huron Times Herald
·2 min read
Marysville Mayor Kathy Hayman giving Marysville resident Larry Morrish a 100th anniversary hat at his birthday party on June 17, 2024. Morrish turns 86 on June 21.
Marysville Mayor Kathy Hayman giving Marysville resident Larry Morrish a 100th anniversary hat at his birthday party on June 17, 2024. Morrish turns 86 on June 21.

Marysville resident Larry Morrish was unaware that the mayor, city manager and one of the city council members would be coming to a birthday party his family arranged for him Monday.

Mayor Kathy Hayman and City Manager Randy Fernandez presented Morrish with a Marysville 100th cap and an honorary gavel, which only four people have been presented with before. Additionally, city council member Dave Barber played the bagpipes for Morrish, who turns 86 June 21.

"This is right at the top," Morrish said. "This is just great."

Morrish's daughter, Bonnie DiNardo, organized this surprise because her father consistently watches the city council meetings. She said nobody can talk to her dad when the council meetings are on.

Morrish said he tunes in because he likes to know what is happening in his hometown. He has lived in the same house with his wife, Verna, since 1962.

Larry Morrish and his wife, Verna Morrish, listening to Marysville council member Dave Barber play the bagpipes on June 17, 2024.
Larry Morrish and his wife, Verna Morrish, listening to Marysville council member Dave Barber play the bagpipes on June 17, 2024.

Hayman said she doesn't know anyone else who has shown such an interest in the city council meetings.

"They are such a special couple, and they love this city," she said. "We just wanted to come down and support Larry and the rest of his family for his birthday."

Although Morrish was had no idea this surprise was happening, he had a feeling his family was up to something when his eldest son, Tom Morrish, came up to visit from Ohio without giving a reason why. Morrish said he wants to thank everyone who was involved in the birthday surprise.

Larry Morrish's birthday party on June 17, 2024.
Larry Morrish's birthday party on June 17, 2024.

DiNardo and Tom Morrish said their parents are always around to lend a hand to their neighbors and that they do so much for the community. DiNardo said she and her siblings wanted to give back to their parents in a way by coming up with the birthday celebration.

The Morrish family will be celebrating another milestone soon. Larry and Verna Morrish will be celebrating their 66th wedding anniversary next week. Verna Morrish said they've had many happy times together, and hope for many more.

Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Marysville resident's birthday attended by city officials