Dr. Leonard J. Morse
To view the recording of the funeral service please click here.
Dr. Leonard J. Morse died on December 12, 2025, at the age of 96. Leonard will be missed by Maxine, his loving wife of 68 years; his devoted children, Andrew, Jonathan, Michael, and Elizabeth; their spouses, Emy, Elisabeth, Mariska, and Jeff; and eight grandchildren, Ingrid, Audrey, Jacob, Mikayla, Henry, Oliver, Abigail, and Harry.
Born in Worcester, Mass., Leonard dedicated his life to the practice of medicine and the well-being of his community. The first in his family to attend college, he graduated from American International College and the University of Maryland School of Medicine. After his service in the Army, where he was stationed at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Leonard returned home to begin his medical practice in Worcester, serving patients with compassion and expertise. When he retired from private practice, he took on the role of Chief Medical Officer for the community health center in New Bedford, Mass., contributing his vast knowledge and experience.
Given his work as a physician, his expertise in infectious diseases and epidemiology, and his devotion to Worcester, city officials asked Leonard to serve as Worcester’s Commissioner of Public Health in 2002. He left the role in September 2010, at age 81, a retirement that would prove to be his last.
Leonard served as president of the Worcester District Medical Society from 1978-1979, and as president of the Massachusetts Medical Society from 1993-1994. He also served as president of the Boston Medical Library and held leadership roles at the American Medical Association. Leonard was particularly moved when, in 2015, the City of Worcester dedicated a walking path around Elm Park in his honor called the Morse Stroll.
One of the highlights of Leonard’s career came in 1969, when he led the investigation of a hepatitis outbreak that ended the season for the College of the Holy Cross football team. The incident made national headlines, and lessons from it resulted in recommendations that changed public health laws related to drinking water. He often said the event was the most notable moment of his career.
In 2016, Leonard and Maxine moved to the suburbs of Washington, D.C. to be closer to family.
A funeral service will be held at Sharon Memorial Park Chapel, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA 02067 on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 1PM. Family and friends will gather at 4PM the same day at The Mercantile, 2 Mercantile Street, Worcester, MA 01608 to share remembrances. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Scholarship Fund in Leonard’s honor at the Worcester District Medical Society (321 Main St., Worcester, MA, 01608) or the charity of your choice.