Obituary of Morris Diamond

Morris "Beau" Diamond, of Clifton NJ and West Palm Beach FL died at home surrounded by his loving family on October 3, 2011 at the age of 95. Mr. Diamond was born December 6, 1915 in Passaic N.J. to Hyman and Annie Diamond. At an early age, he worked in his father's coal and ice business, driving delivery trucks at age 13 and essentially running the business from age 20 when his father had a disabling heart attack.

He served in the US Army Signal Corp, Americal Division in the South Pacific from 1942-1945 rising to staff sergeant and earning the American Service Medal and special commendation for communications behind enemy lines. He also was cited for meritorious action during active combat on Fiji where he helped save his whole platoon by freeing a transport truck stuck in sand on the beach while under enemy fire. He remembered Morse Code his whole life, often impressing his grandchildren by rapidly converting conversations into dots and dashes.

On return from the war he opened the Diamond Agency for real estate and insurance where he worked for 65 years as President and CEO. In addition to growing a successful office, he was a developer and one of the first syndicators of real estate in New Jersey. He was a cofounder and President of the Passaic County Multiple Listing Service, President of the NJ State Property Managers, the first Jewish President of the Passaic County Board of Realtors, President of Passaic Rotary Club, and a long term member of the Advisory Board of The Valley National Bancorp [VLY].

Morris went by the name "Beau" with his friends, a nickname he was given by his sister in his childhood and which carried through his adulthood due to his dashing and gentlemanly demeanor.

Morris is survived by his wife of 63 years, Harriet (Vogelbaum), his sons Robert J. Diamond, MD of Long Island NY, David V. Diamond, MD of Newton MA, and Ted A. Diamond, DVM of Amherst MA; his daughters-in-law Robin and Suzanne, and his 10 grandchildren: Hunter, Jillian, Heather, Forrest, Spencer, Pierce, Holden, Jordan, Bram and Eden as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He possessed a rare quality that left family, friends, and business associates feeling privileged to know him. All those who loved Beau will remember him as "he real deal": a successful yet humble man whose gentle manner, caring nature, sage advice, and endless expression of love will forever sparkle in their hearts.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.