Funeral Arrangements Set For Boy Scout Andrew McMorris, 12

MANORVILLE, NY — Funeral services have been set for Andrew Spencer McMorris, 12, who died tragically, leaving hearts broken, after he and four of his fellow Boy Scouts were hit by an alleged drunk driver Sunday in Manorville.

Visitation will begin Thursday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Branch Funeral Home of Miller Place, located at 551 Route 25, Miller Place, NY 11764. Visitation will also take place on Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

A funeral service will take place on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 9 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, at 111 Nassau Avenue, Islip, NY 11751. Interment will follow at Nassau Knolls Cemetery, 500 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington, NY 11050.

In lieu of flowers the family has suggested donations to honor the loving memory of Andrew to: Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 33 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 210W Huntington Station, NY 11746; Wildcats Helping the Arts & Music Payable to: WHAM PO Box 458 Shoreham, NY 11786; or the GoFundMe, "Troop 161 Memorial & Support Fund."

"There are some things we cannot possibly Be Prepared for, but we can stand ready to respond when we are called," the GoFundMe said.

"The pain and loss of the families of Troop 161 is beyond description, and we are all with them during this time, the McMorris family most of all. As Eagle Scouts, we have pledged countless times to help others, and we find ourselves duty-bound to ask for your help for these Scouts now. As we grieve with them today, we also want them to have access to resources they need to provide counsel and continue to be able to lean on each other in the times to come."

And, the page, continued: "As we kneel and remember Andrew, so also do we stand with the boys, men, and families who will remember him best. We ask that you join us in supporting them, and that we can help in some way to strengthen the bonds they share to aid them in their journey ahead."

The page was organized by Eagle Scouts of former Troop 145 in Riverhead, including Chris Courtenay, Everett Gilliam II, and Jeff Schultz.

All funds will be distributed to Troop 161 via the Troop Committee for the primary use for any counseling/training needs, with the remainder to be used at the discretion of the Troop committee for the purpose of expanding or enhancing access to troop activities, and any other Scouting-related charitable needs, the page said.

Andrew's troop has asked that mourners wear red or place red ribbons in memory of his life.

Photo courtesy Branch Funeral Home.