By sandi carpello
Staff Writer
Timothy Morris
RED BANK — On Halloween, Timothy Morris always came up with the craziest costumes.
"One year he was walking through Red Bank with a big eyeball on his head," recalled longtime friend Bobby Brainard, 25, of Red Bank. "He was a vegetarian and one year he dressed up like a Cluck U chicken."
"I remember one year he dressed up like Carmen Miranda — he dressed up as the Lady in the Tuiti Fruiti Hat and he had a big fruit bowl on his head," added friend Chrissy Graham.
Morris, a five-year bartender at The Dublin House, died Saturday, July 26, at a Red Bank residence. He was 26.
According to Red Bank police Sgt. Steve McCarthy, the department responded to 62 Pearl St. at 7:19 a.m. July 26 for a report of an unresponsive person. Morris was pronounced dead at Monmouth County Medical Examiner’s Office less than two hours later.
Red Bank Police in conjunction with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office are investigating the cause of death.
The results of an autopsy conducted by the Monmouth County Medical Examiner is pending.
"We’re just waiting for the toxicological results," said McCarthy, who indicated the results usually take 10-12 weeks. There is no evidence of foul play. It’s definitely a tragedy."
More than 250 friends, family, and bar regulars packed the Dublin House Monday night to drink, listen to Morris’ favorite music, and pay homage to "a great worker, a great co-worker, and a great friend," according to Dublin House manager Anthony Eagone.
All-you-can-drink wristbands for $25, a $10 CD compilation of Morris’ favorite music, $5 posters, and raffle tickets raised roughly $8,000 to cover the cost of Morris’ funeral, which took place July 30 at the John E. Day funeral home in Red Bank.
Additional funds raised will be given to his family, according to Dublin House employees.
"Before the night even started we raised $2,000," said Brainard at the Monday night memorial. "Honestly, he was the most unique person. He really took care of his friends … 99 percent of the people here tonight are his friends."
An avid bicyclist, with an eclectic taste in music that ranged from death metal to Patsy Cline, Morris was known to his friends as a free spirit with a great sense of humor.
"He was pretty inspiring," said Graham, an employee at Second Nature who served Morris his organic lunch every afternoon. "He didn’t care. He just wanted to have a good time … he was really a playful, lovable guy."
Morris is survived by his mother, Susan Jubinski Morris of Spring Lake; his father, Joseph Morris of Minersville, Pa.; and two brothers, Geoffrey Morris of Denver, Colo., and Peter Morris of Neptune.