
Morton – James Lawrence, 86, of Liverpool, passed away peacefully in Queens Manor on Friday, March 22, 2019.
Born in Liverpool, James was the oldest son of the late James R. and Elsie M. (Peach) Morton.
James had many careers and was owner operator of many enterprises throughout his lifetime. As a teenager, he worked in the woods with his father and on the Liverpool waterfront unloading boats and in the fish plants. He, then, worked for the Liverpool Advance for twenty years learning the printing trade from the ground up. It was at the Advance that he became interested in photography. He opened his own studio on Main Street which he ran for many years.
His next venture was to buy and operate a poultry farm in Brooklyn where he had a contract with Canada Packers for 60,000 birds a year. He also raised beef cattle and 2,000 turkeys on this property.
Always thirsting for knowledge, James studied and acquired his pilot’s license becoming the first monocular private pilot with night endorsement in Nova Scotia. But with ink in his blood, he opened a print shop called Master Printers which he eventually sold to two Veinot brothers and friends from the Advance. This business is still known as Veinot’s Print.
He moved on to building supplies and owned Morton Building Supplies and West Nova Lumber for ten plus years. Never one to be idle, he moved to First beach hill and started experimenting with apple trees which became Morton’s Apple Acres with 2500 fruit trees qualifying him to be classed as a commercial apple grower.
But needing the ink, he opened another print shop on the farm property called Morton’s Printing and Publishing producing many books for local authors.
In his later years, he picked up his guitar again and played in many variety shows around the province. He gave song writing a shot and would sing some of his work. A personal favorite was one written for his wife called “My Apple Queen”. He played for his customers while selling apples from his big red truck and became known as the “Singing Apple Man” which gave him much joy.
James is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years Elsie (Dagley), his daughters Vickie (Brian) Dexter of Brooklyn, Cindy (Steve) Mansley of Yellowknife and his son James (Angela) of Liverpool. His grandchildren Amanda (Chris) Hernandez of Coldbrook; David Dexter of Brooklyn. Great grandson Benjamin Hernandez. His step grandchildren Stephen Mansley (Danielle Flemming) of Riverview, NB, Sara Mansley (Jason Hicks) of Dieppe, NB, Krista Mansley of Bridgewater. Step great grandchildren Willow Mansley and Hayla, Kiaya and Archer Stewart. His sister Marie Langille of Liverpool and his brother Ralph (Shirley) Morton of Liverpool. Special foster sisters Alice (Mervin) Buchanan of Lockeport and Carolyn Dauphinee of Halifax. Many nieces and nephews that meant a lot to James.
James was predeceased by his sister Clara Dorey and his brother Douglas.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Home, Liverpool, NS. Funeral service will be Thursday, March 28, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in Trinity Anglican Church, Liverpool. Reverend Cherry workman officiating. Burial will be in Trinity Anglican Cemetery, Bog Road, Liverpool. No flowers by request. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made to www.chandlersfuneral.com. The family would like to thank the Home Care staff, Queens General Hospital Staff and the staff of Queens Manor for all their support as well as Dr. Garry Morash and Dr. Gary Ernest for their care. James’ family will never pass an apple tree without thinking of their beloved “Singing Apple Man”.
Offer Condolence for the family of Morton; James Lawrence

George and Janet Fletcher.
Morton Family: We were sorry to hear about JIm. Our thoughts and our prayers are with your family.
Marina Foley
Elsie & family,
So very sorry to hear of James’ passing. He will be greatly missed by all.
Ron & Barb Campbell
We are saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. Please accept our condolences.
Diane and Donald White
To Elsie and all the Morton family and friends , our sincere condolences to you all . Mr Morton sold us many bags of apples and we surely missed him when he could no longer do this. He was always a kind and gracious man to do business with. He will be missed by many.
Candace Buck
I’m so sorry for your loss, I will miss james singing to us, his laughter and his good spirit. He was an amazing man and he will be missed by so many of us xoxo
Lynn Lavender
Dear Vickie,Cindy and family,
So sorry to hear about your Dad..thinking of you in the days ahead…take care.
Stacey Fisher
Ralph and families
Very sorry for the loss of your brother. Thinking of you in the days ahead. Take care.
David Whynot
Elise and family sorry to hear of Jim,s passing going to miss him in Church my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time R I P James Jim from David and family
Clyde and David Whynot
Sorry to hear of Jim.s passing The Singing Apple man our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time c
Faye Barkhouse
Morton Family. So sorry for your loss. He will be missed by many. Take comfort in all the wonderful memories and interesting stories he was great at sharing. Sincere sympathy.
Blair C. Smith
Very sad to read this from Halifax . My condolences to the family .
A very well known businessman of the area of Liverpool and surrounding areas.
Tammy lannan & Richard Croft
Elsie, James & Family
Please accept our sincere condolences. He was a very great guy. Always singing and smiling.
He will be missed.
Anne Peverill
Elsie & Family,
I was so sorry to read of Jim’s passing. My sincere condolences to all of you.
May he R I P.
Patricia (Roy) Doucette
To Cindy and Family, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad passing. My thought and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Viv Croft (Whynot)
James so sorry to hear about your dads passing.
Betty Everett
Elsie and family , So sorry to hear about James .My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time . Take care .
Lorraine MacGowan
Elsie, James Jr, Cindy, Krista and family I was so sorry to read of Jim’s passing. He was such an active resident of Queens County in his younger years and will be missed by many in that capacity. I worked for him in the Print shop and enjoyed his story telling and singing there. He leaves many memories to you all to carry forward. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Karen Gehue
Dear Elsie and Family,
I am so saddened to be reading this. I will always cherish my time spent with James. Sending condolences to your family.
RIP James.
Curtis & Linda Leslie Maillett
To The Morton Family: We send our Sincere Condolences. Curtis & Linda Leslie Maillett of Brooklyn
Enid MacKay
Vickie and all the Morton family
Please accept my sincere sympathy on your loss.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Enid
Elizabeth Fraelic
Jim and I both send our sincere sympathy. What a full and active life! You are sure to have many wonderful memories.
Jan and Garnett Winchester
Our thoughts are with your family at this sad time,
Sincerely,
Jan and Garnett
Anthony Corkum
Funny and great guy to work for . My condolences to the family.
Watson inglis
My memories of Jim go back a long way; to the Advance in 1968 and the things about photography that I learned from him.
Thinking of you, Elsie, and your family during this time of loss.
TODD J HANNAM
CINDY AND FAMILY
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS
SINCERELY
TODD J HANNAM
Judy Hyson
I am so sorry to hear of Jame’s passing.My condolences to his family.
Frank and Jane Croft
So sorry to hear of the passing of James. He was in the room with my Dad. My heart goes out to his wife Elsie at this very sad time. My sincere condolences to his family. May He Rest In Peace.❤
Janette Tielsch
Elsie, Vickie, Cindy, James and family,
Reading through this obituary has reminded me of what an interesting, adventurous, talented and intelligent man ‘Uncle’ James was.
What a full life he lived! A good man that you certainly could be proud to call husband, father or grandfather.
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Crystal Roy
James and Angela,
Words can not express the loss of a parent. Thoughts and Prayers are with you all.
Sylvia & Mike Langille
So sorry to hear about your loss! Take care
Vernon & Joyce Hawkes
We are so sorry for your loss. It was wonderful to have the “singing apple man” for so many years.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
becky fudge(veinot) and family
to the morton family. so sorry to hear of jims passing. jim has earned his wings and is flying high looking over the family now. god bless and take care
MAURICE/BETTY WHYNOTT
Our deepest heartfelt Sympathy to you Elsie and all the Morton Family . Jim vvill be greatly missed.
Marie and Ronnie Wambolt
Morton Family: Sincere Condolences on the passing of Jim. He was a man of many talents . When I stopped to buy apples he would always ask, how is that young fellow of yours? I worked with James at HGS he so much like his dad. Jim will be missed by all who knew him. Sharing your memories will help get you through the difficult days.
Shirley and Paul Shot
To the Morton family: Please accept our heartfelt sympathy on the passing of Jim. He was always smiling whenever I stopped for apples, he was a kind gentle man. I am sure you all will feel your loss but the happy memories you made live on forever.
Fred and Grace Speth
It has been many years since we last saw Jim, but have never forgotten him. And we have not forgotten you, either, Elsie. We moved to Bridgewater in 2002 and met you two soon after, as we were all interested in the NS Country Music Hall of Fame. Enjoyed hearing Jim sing – he was always friendly, kind and a real gentleman. One of your wedding gifts to us was a large bag of apples from the “Apple Man.” Fred joins me in extending sincere condolences to you, Elsie and your family. May treasured memories of Jim help at this difficult time. Our love and sympathy, Grace and Fred Speth
Pauline
So sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time.
Pauline Conway & family
David & Judy Whynott of mersey point
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a nice and caring person.i enjoyed conversations with him.
John and Florence Morton
Our deepest sympathy to Elsie and the Morton family.
Nancy Anthony
Dear Amanda and family: My sincere sympathy to you and yours, I know you loved him very much.and will miss him, keep those memories alive. Nancy Anthony
Wendy Feindel
Vickie,Cindy and family. So sorry about your dad’s passing.He was such a kind man. My prayers are with you all at this time,take care. Wendy
Clark and Sandra Hebb
To the Morton Family , sorry for your loss . Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow
Kurt and Anne Sarty
To THe Morton Family, so very sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our thoughts at this very difficult time.
Gordon Eisnor
My sincere condolences to all Jim,s family
Patty Peach
I am sorry to hear of James passing. My condolences go out to the entire family. James was a very nice man, a great person all around & will be truly missed by all who knew him. Hold his memories close to your heart & he will be with each & every one of you… remember all the good times & God Bless …
Kim Lohnes
I am saddened to hear of James’ passing. I always enjoyed my visits with him and singing a song or two. My heartfelt condolences to all of his family.
Dennis &Sherri Harrington
Sending sincere condolences to the family❤️
Jack and Ellen.
Elsie and Morton family So sorry for your loss.
John & Debbie Herman
So sorry for the loss of Your Loved One. We will always remember ” The Singing Apple man!” Sending Our Sincere Condolences.
John & Debbie Herman.
Bruce R. Crouse
Sorry to read of James’s passing .. but blessed to have known this fine man. It has been quite a few years since I last saw Jim, but have never forgotten him. And I have not forgotten you, either, Elsie. or the girls and James Jr. Over the years .. there sure was lots of good tv at the mansion on the hill eh ?… I still have “My Apple Queen” that Jim played for me one evening in your living room.
Bruce Crouse, Timberlea, NS
Jim & Jacqueline Peach
To the Family, We were saddened to hear of Jim,s passing. May God give each of you the the comfort to get through this valley, Jim seemed to love life & enjoyed being with people & entertaining them. May he rest in peace.
Bonnie Wong
Dear Elise & family sorry to hear passing of your beloved husband and father. Jim was a friend to everyone. We will all meet again one day. God bless you and your loving family.( Bonnie ) Celeste Wong
joyce parks
Dear Elsie and family, so sorry to hear of james passing, always enjoyed my visits with Home support, and enjoyed james singing, may god be with you all at this sad time. RIP sweet man.
Cathy de Rome
Morton Family,
My sincere condolences on the passing of your loved one. There are many former Grade 4 students of mine who will fondly remember our yearly September trip to Mr. Morton’s apple orchards. Mr. Morton took his time to explain about the trees and apple growing. Everyone then got to pick an apple to enjoy with our picnic lunch, sitting in the sun on the patio. Great memories!
Sonny (Maurice ) and Judy Westhaver
Sorry to hear of your loss. May you have many happy memories to keep Jimmy in your heart always.
Orris and Carol Anne Whynot
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family
Blaine Allen
Elsie and family: I am sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. My thoughts are with you all.
Danny Huskins
To all of Jim’s family,i was shocked to see that he had passed,my thought and prayers go out to you all.
Shirley Levy
Sending My Sincere Condolences To The Family.
Roger & Isolde Savage
Dear Elsie, Vicki and family, Our heartfelt thoughts are with you . Always will remember “The Singing Apple Man”, his quiet humour and outstanding curiosity and many talents which took him in many creative directions.
Jamie Higby
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. I first met Jim when he hired me as a boy to pick rocks from the airstrip he was building on his property. This work continued to his sawmill where I continued to have the good fortune of working side by side with Jim as he expertly operated the saw. He was an exceptional down to earth man who took the time to teach me so much during this time. He quickly became more a friend than a boss to me. I’m sure everyone who has encountered Jim feels the same way. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Dick&CarolynHenneberry
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing.He had a long life well lived..
Sherman Hines
It is with much sorrow that I have just learned of Jims passing. My warmest wishes to Elsie and all family members.
It has always been with great pride that when asked who was the person that taught me photography, my response
has always been ” Jim Morton ” of Liverpool. Jim showed me how to develop my first roll of film and make my first print.
I have never forgotten that moment of magic, thanks to Jim. Sherman Hines