Longtime Maple Leafs PA announcer Paul Morris dies at 86

Paul Morris, who served as the Toronto Maple Leafs PA announcer for 38 years, has died. He was 86.

Morris died Thursday in Oshawa after a lengthy illness, according to the Mount Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery in Whitby.

Born June 28, 1938, in Toronto, Morris spent his entire working career at Maple Leaf Gardens in the sound department as well as handling public address duties.

Morris's deadpan delivery provided the backdrop to generations of Maple Leaf fans.

Morris was at the microphone the last time the Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1967, with Toronto defeating the visiting Montreal Canadiens 3-1 to win the series in six games.

"Clarence Campbell, the president of the National Hockey League, will now present the Stanley Cup to the Toronto Maple Leafs," Morris said at the time.

We are saddened to share that longtime Maple Leafs PA Announcer Paul Morris has passed away at 86. <br><br>The voice of Maple Leaf Gardens for decades, Paul never missed a game from 1961 to 1999. He called the final game at the Gardens and was the first voice at Scotiabank Arena. More… <a href="https://t.co/38SFHkRyhv">pic.twitter.com/38SFHkRyhv</a>

"It's home," Morris told the CBC in an interview that aired during Toronto's final game at Maple Leaf Gardens on Feb. 13, 1999. "It always has been home because my father (Doug, who became the Gardens' chief technician) started on the building when they put the shovel in the ground. And he was here until he died.

"So our family, our whole life, right from the very first that I can remember, revolved around what was on at the Gardens."

Morris acknowledged sadness at the end of the Gardens.

"I also recognize that nothing goes on forever. Everything comes to an end sooner or later," he said.

Morris started