Arnold Morton Obituary

When I was 25, in 1979, I decided to take a break from the corporate world (to which I returned in a year) and do something a little different. I decided to wait tables, and promised myself I would "start at the top" and work my way down to the lesser clubs and restaurants until I found a job.



The first place I interviewed at was Zorine's - it was the "top"! - and Arnie Morton hired me on the spot, even though I was inexperienced and (as it turned out) not very good at waiting tables. (I got better in a few weeks, I promise you!)



It was a wonderful experience! I had so much fun, working at Zorine's. I can't even describe it to you! It was more like a vacation than a job, and I still look back on those months - and on Arnie - with a great deal of fondness. Plus the food was exquisite! God bless him!

Zorine, Peter & Entire Family:

My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I remember the genius of Arnie, but more his giving and opportunities which he extended to me as a young man.

My memories of all your family's thoughtfullness always makes me smile, as does the memory of Arnie, his sense of humor, and creativity.

Love and Well Being to you all,



Jo Marsh

Elona and I met Arnie and Zorrine in 1975 when I joined Lettuce Entertain You. Arnie was certainly a legend and leader in our industry.

We have watched their children grow up and also become leaders in our industry. Obviously chips off the old block. Arnie and I worrked together in the first Chicagofest and we served as directors in the Illinois Restaurant Association.



We will always have fine memories of a wonferful person who was such an inspiration to so many people.



Arnie, you will be missed but not forgotten.

I worked at the Hard Rock Cafe Chicago when the doors first opened until 1994. Mr. Morton would come in and everyone would say "Hey, Arnie Morton is here!" to which Mr. Morton would chuckle and reply "I'm now known around town as Peter Morton's dad." To Amy and Michael who often stopped in on my management shifts and were always very kind to me, to Debbie one of the Hard Rock's best servers and finally to Peter--your condolences to me when my father passed away (16 years ago) will not be forgotten-- my thoughts are with you and the entire family during this sad time.

Arnie's accomplishments were awe-inspiring but his (and Zorine's) greatest was his children. Mike, its a privilege being your friend. You were a great kid and you're a better man. Amy, Debbie, Stephanie and David, you are all special people who make others feel good (much like your dad). My condolences to all of you on your loss.

What a true Chicago icon Arnie Morton was. I met him many times over the years. There was not a better Sunday brunch to be found than at Arnie's. His family will continue to live in his legacy and what a truly remarkable legacy they are making of themselves. I wish the family strength and comfort during this painful time. My deepest sympathies go out to each of you.

Arnie mastered hospitality...he was a classy guy, a true gentleman and MY HERO over thirty years!! Thanks for the memories, AJ!!!

I am so sorry for your loss.My thoughts are with you all! Your family holds a very special place in my heart!

I only had the privilege of meeting Arnie once, at the 25th anniversary party for Morton's of Chicago, but it was a moment I will always remember. I learned so much about the business while working for Morton's and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity. I know countless others feel the same way. You are your family (I am a great admirer of Peter and his efforts - we share the same sadhguru)are all an inspiration. Thank you.

Mike & Family



I am so sorry to hear about your father..He was a great man and he will be missed by all.



Mitchell & Gilat Zamost

Dearest Zorine, Joan and I are so sorry for your and the industry's loss. He was a great guy who was willing to share his knowledge with me and members of my family. Sorry that we hadn't seen the two of you in years. Our thoughts will be with you.

My hat is off in memory of a truely remarkable man who made an indelable mark on my life. Arnie gave me the opportunity to learn many big life lessons in his restaurants and was always a kind and caring man while doing so. I often think of my time spent (12 years) working at Arnies and all the people he brought together under his roof to make such good friendships and memories. My sincere condolences go to Zorine, Amy, Michael, and all of the kids.



Tabb Lemons

I worked at Arnies while we were having all the dry runs prior to opening to the public. This was my first job in a full service restaurant. Arnie was so patient and a great teacher as well.

Since working for Arnie I have gone on to open my own restaurants. Arnie was very generous.Whenever there was a problem I was able to call Arnie for direction, and as busy as he was Arnie would take my call or call me back.

Arnie will be missed by all who had the opportunity to work for, or with him. The foodservice industry has lost a leader.

Thanks for your advice,

MR. MORTON, YOU TAUGHT ME WELL! In the mid 1980's I had an interview with Mr. Morton for an accountant's position at Arnie's North & Mortons in Highland Park. I started working for you in the fall and on New Year's Eve when it looked like the GM was not going to show up, (and I was just about on my way out the office door) you said, "hey kid, have any plans for tonight?" I worked that night wondering what I got myself into and the following week you offered me the manager's job. I was bound and determined to learn the "gift of schmooze" and watched you work a dining room like no one else. Lifetime friendships were made with co-workers and when we see each other we reminisce about the good ol' days on State Street and all the fun we had. You've made an impression on many lives and I am thankful that I was one of them. Thank you.

I heard Zagut just gave Heaven 5 Stars!!

God Bless The General.

Who is the most remarkable character in your life? For me that person is Arnie Morton.



It was a privilege and a pleasure to have been Arnie Morton’s assistant for seven years and the final General Manager of his namesake Arnie’s. I am so very grateful to have had the opportunity to be with him and work so closely with that creative mind and powerhouse of an individual. Besides his restaurants, he was always working towards the betterment of the city of Chicago. . .so many ideas he came up with. . .his best I believe being the casino on Navy Pier which would have been the best use of the property and the rewards as far as a tax base goes for the city of Chicago would have been phenomenal. He was always vocal and shared his ideas regardless of whether they were accepted or not. . .he kept going forward, dusting off ideas and re-presenting them as he traveled further down his road.



He was a generous mentor and friend and gave me many opportunities to grow. I do not believe that there is anyone who has ever made a bigger impact on me and my life. I’ve never known anyone who dreamed bigger and was not afraid to take those greater risks. I admire him and am humbled to have been able to call him my friend.



I will miss him most of all every time I am reminded of anything great and anything good. I believe that is what the impact of the most remarkable character in your life should be.



While the city lost its star, the heavens gained one.



God bless you Arnie. We will miss you very much.

Arnie and I met while I was working at the Gaslight Club in Chicago with Zorrine. We were performing a dance routine and, since we had met previously, Arnie asked who Zorrine was and where she was from. She and I were roommates at the time, she was enrolled at the Art Institue and I was modeling. I introduced her to Arnie and, you might say, the rest was history. I later worked in the Chicago Playboy, opened the Miami playboy but over the years, lost track of Zorrine.



Arnie was an all-time great guy (The best of the best)and I'm so glad Zorrine had him for so long and had such a wonderful family.



I'd love to hear from you, Zorrine, and know more about your family. My husband and I live in the Tampa Bay area.

Our condolences to the Morton Family. It's hard to forget the most generous gentleman he was. One Sunday following a broadcast of a Chicago Cardinals football game, Bob Elson and I stopped at Arnie's, gave our car to the hiker and tried to get past the crowd following the game. No luck. We went back outside only to see Arnie rushing out toward us with a hot bowl of chili for each of us and an apology for the overflow. What a guy! He will be missed.



Chuck Wenk

Zorinne & Family, I never really knew Arnie, but have fond memories of you, Zorinne, and my sister, Sharon, from high school. My sympathies to all your family. From what I've been reading, he was a great and generous man.

Nancy (Caffrey) Lueder

When I went into the restaurant business with my family in 1965 the first person who really showed me around was Arnie. I will always remember the fabulous times we had with Arnie throughout the years and all the wonderful food we had together. Arnold Morton will always be known as the quintessential restaurateur, he knew how to treat people and make them feel at home. I will miss you Arnie.

Morton Family - I am responding for my family (Goldschmidt and Lurie)for old, but not forgotten, friendships. My mother and father were good friends of Arnie's and the family going back to high school days. We all grew up in the same neighborhood. Arnie will be remembered always. Our sincerest condolences.

Dear Morton Family,



My sympathies to you at this difficult time. I worked for Mr. Morton at Arnie's North, Highland Park and Morton's Steakhouse, Chicago in the late 1970s-early 1980s. It was a rare privilege to be one of his employees. Mr. Morton was larger than life. His energy and vitality attracted a wonderful clientele. I feel honored that our paths crossed. He was a generous man and terrific employer. May God bless him!

Dear Michael, David and I first met your father at Scott's 40th birthday party. Although we had just met, he treated us as if we had been his friends for years. He was a gentleman and exuded a feeling of happiness to people all around him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Love, Diane (Bachta) and David Wilkens

Dear Morton Family,

I am saddened at the news. Arnie was an inspiration for me to enter the restaurant buisness. Even though he tried to advise me pick another industry. I am presently working in Hawaii, and will be unable to join with you at this time.

Michael Morton,

Our Condolences To you and your whole Family From mine. Your father, from what I know , and from knowing you was a Great Man. He will be missed by many.

He will be in our prayers.



Sincerely, Mike Z.

Arnie Morton was a true gentleman. He will be missed. I will remember with fondness his generousity and hospitality. My deepest condolences to his family and friends for their loss.

A MAN WHO BROUGHT GREAT FOOD TO THE PUBLIC, LOVE COMPASSION TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND EMPLOYMENT TO MANY INDIDVIDUALS. THE RESTRAUNT BUSINESS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME

WHAT A GOOD MAN, WHAT A DELIGHTFUL PERSON TO BE WITH. I TREASURE HAVING KNOWN ARNIE AND HAVING BEEN WITH HIM ON SO MANY OCCASIONS. I NEVER KNEW A DAY THAT HE WASN'T SMILING AND THAT HE WASN'T GREAT COMPANY TO BE WITH. WHEN MY DAUGHTER MARRIED, THERE WAS NO OTHER PLACE TO HOLD THE LUNCHEON THAN AT ARNIE'S. WHENEVER I HAD A PRIVATE PARTY, IT WAS AT ARNIE'S. TO HAVE BEEN A FRIEND OF HIS WAS AN HONOR. TO ZORINE,AMY, MICHAEL AND ALL THE FAMILY, I CONVEY MY DEEP SYMPATHY. SINCERELY, FRANK SULLIVAN, TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA

Many years ago I took a senior citizen group of my mother's friends from Grayslake, Il.to Arnie's Restaurant for lunch. They weren't celebrities, politicians, or famous patrons. However, Arnie greeted them and made them feel like they were very special ladies. Several times he came to their table to give them special attention. My mother is 96 now, and still reflects on the time "that famous man" made her and her friends feel special. Sincerely, Gayle Bohne

My deepest sympathies to the Morton family. Zorrine and I attended High School together. Time has passed and we lost touch but I will always remember the good memories we had as young girls.

After I opened my first restaurant in 1976, I learned about Arnie when he was with Playboy. (Sure I had the lighter!) When he and Rich Mellman came into a packed Gordon for dinner in 1978 he was everywhere greeting friends and admiring the place. He said, "Everything is outstanding, but you oughta take credit cards!" What did I know not to take his free advice and credit card service was added the next week. For years after, everytime he saw me he joked, "Ya should've stayed with cash!" What a giant. I love him. And, what a marvelous family he wanted around him all the time. An icon of a family man! Chicago is the world class city it is, because of Arnie Morton's ideas and panache. Bless him!

To Stephanie and the whole family:

You know what your dad meant to me and I know what kind of dad he was. I will always admire you guys. My condolences.

Andrew Tarlow

Everything said about Arnie is understatement. He was a giant. Chicago and the world will miss him.

I was saddened to learn of Arnie's passing. Although I have not seen him for many years, I remember well his grace and kindness. Please accept my most sincere condolences.

I worked for Mr. Morton in the early days of Peter Morton's father's place, Arnies located in the Newberry Plaza at State and Rush ST. Arnie Morton always treated his staff with kindness and respect and was extremely loyal to his customers and friends. A business man with the integrity of Mr. Morton, is seldom found in our present society. I will miss Arnie and I thank him for the opportunities he offered me.

He was a Chicago icon-I met him many years ago at the opening of the State of Illinois building.I admired him greatly for bringing innovation and admiration to the city of Chicago and beyond our fair city-Arnie,thank you for all your contributions to the beautify city of Chicago and to the ever evolving restaurant scene.The Woods family

To Amy and the whole Morton family: My deepest sympathies on the passing of A.J.They don't make them like Arnie anymore and the world is a little sadder place today with him gone.



Robert A. Podesta

Michael, Jenna, and the entire Morton Family: I'm very sorry for your loss.

My condolences, as Arnie's second cousin (my father's mother and his mother's mother were sisters)to Zorine and the family. Aloha.

I had the pleasure of working under Arnie at Arnies North about 25 years ago.. when it first open its door..and Mortons. He was man of great status and proffesionalism . he really care about people.. My sincere condolence to his entire family.

Dear Mrs. Morton, Amy, Michael and Family. I worked for Mr. Morton at Arnie's for seven years and it was one of the most fascinating experiences in my life, I will cherish ALL of the memories! I also had my wedding at Arnies in September 1993, Mrs. Morton you and Mr. Morton were there and Mr. Morton introduced my husband Carl and I to our wedding guests as we entered the beautiful restaurant, It was a highlight for both of our families and all of our guests. Mr. Morton was truely an amazing person, I have the deepest respect for him. He made a huge impact on my life. You are such a wonderful family and I am very saddened for your loss, you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

To the Arnie Morton Family:

Our deepest SYMPATHY on this

loss to all of you and the friends who have had meaningful contact with Mr. Morton (Arinie)

I'am a retired Highland Park Police Detective and had a few occasions to be of service to the family ( ie: the party at your home

and the missing Fur coat, The safe Burglay at the Highland Park Morton's. It was an honor to be of service and the several times when Arine was at the H.P. location in the off business hours to stop and have coffee with him. YOU are in our prayers

Ken Miller

Much of Arnie's professional accomplishments will be carried on through tradition; Morton's & The Taste. His legacy, however, is the manner in how he served people. You only had to attend the annual St. Patrick's Day feast to see how delighted Mr. Morton was to see his friends...old and new. I was privileged to work for Michael and Scott and was able to see, first hand, how Mr. Morton served as husband, father & a friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mrs. Morton, Michael, Stephanie, David and the rest of the family.

Mike

I had brunch at Arnie's many times while living at Newberry Plaza. The staff and the spinach omelette were the best ever. He will be missed. My sympathies to his family.

Our sincerest condolances to all the Morton family on the death of their husband, father, and grandfather. A truly great Chicagoan who certainly knew what "hospitality" was all about!

It was with great sadness that we read about the passing of Arnold Morton. So many wonderful memories of such a great man and yet so down to earth and unassuming.



Arnie's and Zorine's wedding in June of 1961 preceded ours in October of the same year. When on our honeymoon, in New Orleans, the Playboy Club opened a new restaurant, we were invited to join the festivities on opening night and seated at a front row table to see Jerry Van Dyke perform. We subsequently were summoned from the middle of a huge line of people waiting to see Pete Fountain, plunked down at a front row table and informed that we were guests of the Mortons. The greatest highlights of our honeymoon.



There are many other great memories. Weddings, Christmas parties, anniversaries and especially a birthday party for my wife onboard a yacht in Lake Michigan.



Our deepest condolences to Zorine, the children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors for their great loss.



Rich (Inky) & Sharon Incandela

I have lost a friend , a client and Chicago has lost a giant of the iindustry. I knew Arnie from Hyde Park High and first met him again when he selected the chairs for the Lake Shore Motel in the late fifties. When the first playboy club opened and the chairs selected needed replacement, he asked me to find a style for the playboy clubs, which became the standards for all the subsequent clubs. When Zorine and Arnies opened, I had the priviledge of supplying our products. When the first MORTONS opened he asked me to duplicate a 1920 design used by the Automat restaurants in the 1920s in NY. This style is the chair used in all of the MORTONS. Arnies flair fordesign and concern for guest comfort, were paramount. Arnies leadership as head of the Convention Breau set new standards for those that followed him. Your contribution to Chicago are legendary. You were our cities Michaelangelo of the hospitality industry. I shall miss you

What a guy.

I have known Arnie since the early 60's My Mom & Dad knew his Dad from the old Morton's.

Arnie was one of the great thinkers and doers

We all learned many things from him.

My thoughts are with him.

Our deepest sympathy to the Morton family. Arnie was a good guy and a great colleague. I was privileged to know him.



Sherman Keats

Playboy (1956-1977)

My husband and I met while working at Arnie's 16 years ago. We send or thoughts and sympathy to Zorine, Michael, Amy and the rest of the family

I only met Mr. Morton once but he was clearly a man of warmth and vision. He will be missed.

Thanks for everything. We will miss you.

Arnie Morton is a Renaissance man who was one of the catalysts responsible for Chicago's cultural growth. He will personally be missed but his legacy will be forever. It is our privilege to be included among the multitudes he regarded as his friends. We share the loss with Zorine and the family.