Morris J. (“Morry”) Gervich, longtime salesman and home designer, died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, after becoming ill on a return trip to his hometown of St. Louis. He was 85 and had recently moved back to St. Louis.

Mr. Gervich lived most of his life in the Greater St. Louis area. Along with his wife, Ruth Kornblum Gervich, they raised three sons, Jay, Don and Tod Gervich. Recalled one of his relatives, “Morry was an expert salesman. In his youth he sold shoes and was a newsboy for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Then, at the end of World War II, Sergeant Morris Gervich served eight months in Europe for the U.S. Army. When he returned to the States, he became an entrepreneur, where he made significant contributions in the lighting business and speciality advertising.” He was a longtime employee of Goldman & Associates Co.

For the past seven years, Morry and Ruth Gervich resided in Delray Beach, Fla., where they created a home decorated with Ruth’s oil paintings and watercolors. In Florida, the couple enjoyed tropical birds and plants, their new friends and dining.

They returned to St. Louis in February, “but Morry was ill and passed away soon after they arrived,” a relative recalls. “Morry’s funeral was on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day — a fitting time for this man who connected strangers and loved people. Ruth and Morry thank all of their kind friends and loyal family who have been so caring during the past months and years.”

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Kornblum Gervich, and sons Jason (Jay) Gervich (Donna), of California; Don (Linda Corrine) Gervich of Boston; and Tod (Linda) Gervich, also of Boston. Mr. Gervich was the brother of the late Sol (Mary) Gervich, Lee Gervich, Sara Gervich and Jimmy (Marlene) Gervich. Funeral services were held Feb. 14. Contributions are preferred Cancer Society, 1816 Boonslick, St. Louis, Mo. 63301 or www.cancer.org.