Letter 42014

Anyone know of Lou Morin or Mor-Industrial in Tarrytown?  

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Finishing.com has begun offering Podcasts -- audio files you can download to your computer, or put on your iPod or MP3-player to listen to while you commute, work on the treadmill, walk in the park, or whatever. It's a pleasant way to learn and to keep up with surface finishing events when you're tired of music or world news.

But to the title of the inquiry --
There was a plater by the name of Lou Morin who was active in the industry from 1946 to the mid 1970's and owned a company called "The MOR-INdustrial Co." in Tarrytown, NY. In 2001 he sent us some outstanding tape recordings of his lectures on great subjects like "The Lost Art of Tin-Nickel Plating", with a note that we could use them "no strings". They represent a terrific set of podcasts and we are ready to go. But courtesy dictates that we try to reach the gentleman, and the phone number no longer works and we can't find him or his company. Is he familiar to anyone? Thanks!

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

I am a former AES and ASM member and worked in the electro-plating and metal finishing industry for years in New York. I knew Lou Morin for many years and worked for him at Century Plating Company which he owned in White Plains New York in the early 70's. I used to wish I had a tape recorder and could just follow him around the shop. I considered him my mentor and his knowledge of plating I believe rivaled anyone in the business with the possible exception of Nate Hall. Among the many metals and alloys we did at Century was Tin-Nickel. However I only recall it being done on racks. It may have also been done in barrels also but I was not a part of that. He would eventually leave Century (I can't say if he sold it or just closed it) and opened the Mor-Industrial company on the Hudson River in Irvington New York (not Tarrytown as has been often stated). Lou was getting on in years and I believe his son Lou Jr. had come into the business with him. The last time I spoke to Lou had to be more than 15 years ago and he and I spoke about his plans for a Pb battery that would last forever. His great mind always had plans for something new or an improvement on something old. I hope this sheds a little light about the metal industry giant I had the pleasure to call my friend.

Steven Erickson
- Peekskill, New York, U.S.A.

My name is Lou Morin III, and I recently came across this posting while searching the internet for information regarding my grandfather, Lou Morin Sr. Unfortunately my grandfather passed away in May 2003, and we all miss him dearly. It was quite heartwarming to read your wonderful comments about him. I had the privilege of working in his shop each summer while I was in high school, and he left a large library of writings and recordings that I am currently in the process of archiving and preserving. I would love to hear any memories of him that you might be able to share.

Yours,

Lou

Lou Morin III
- Irvington, New York

Ed. note: Be sure to listen to his "Lost Art of Tin-Nickel Plating" podcast.

For Lou Morin III

I was wondering when someone else would post a note here. Everyone involved in the metal finishing industry in New York knew your grandfather and I thought certainly some would be writing about him. My condolences to you on his passing.

It was an honor to know him for the many years that I did. I choked up listening to the free pod cast as I remembered the sound of his voice so well. To become Lou's friend all you had to do was show an interest in metallurgy. I had done some elementary plating (Cu, Ni, Rh) before getting a job at Century in White Plains. When I showed more than a casual interest in electro-platting Lou quickly took me under his wing and moved me along from filling racks downstairs, to line Cr and SnNi platting, to doing a ton of tin a day in barrels upstairs, then on to doing specialty projects. As I'm sure you know, he worked 7 days a week, coming in on Sundays to check the baths and make adjustments. It's not that he didn't have chemists around but your grandfather never left anything to chance. If you wanted to see his face light up all you had to do was ask him a question. No matter what it was he was ready with an explanation of the process from start to finish. He wasn't showing off either, he just wanted to share the information he'd gathered in decades of doing his life's work. After leaving Century I became a plating foreman for a division of International Silver Company, later a technical rep for Heatbath Corp, and my last job in the industry was as a gold refiner for a company in Mamaroneck. All those years, whenever I came across a problem I couldn't handle I'd call Lou. He always took my calls and even came out to the factory one day to diagnose a grease pitting problem that was getting the best of me. When that company decided they no longer needed my services they let me go and when they had problem, they called Lou. He told them they'd had a good man and since they let me go he would not help them.

Loyalty was another of your grandfathers attributes. One day when I stopped into Mor-Industrial for a chat and visit, he referred to me as "an accomplished platter". To me, that was like Mickey Mantle telling me I was a good hitter. I'm so pleased to hear that you are archiving and preserving his writings and recordings. I'd love to hear those recordings someday. Your grandfather was a great man and he gave his all to the industry. It was obvious to all that knew him that he loved to teach and pass his vast knowledge on to others. Let's hope your work will help him continue to do so for many years to come.

Steven Erickson
- Peekskill, New York U.S.A.

I am Lou's son. I read your comments and was deeply touched by your kind and generous words about Dad. I have several books, notes and audio tapes of his if they are of interest to you or Finishing.com

Lou Morin Jr
- NYC, NY

Lou Jr.

Kind words come easily when talking about your dad. He was like a father to me in the profession. You and I actually met once in Irvington. We discussed gold refining after I left my employment in Mamaroneck. If you would be so kind as to send me a couple of your dads books and tapes I can't tell you how much I'd appreciate it. I don't know if Finishing dot com would want it here but if you just type my name city and state into Google my address will come up.

Bless the memory of your dad, I'm sure you miss him every day.

Steven Erickson
- Peekskill, New York, U.S.A.

Hi, Steven. While I appreciate Lou Sr.'s generosity to the industry, you knew him well whereas I only talked to him on the phone once. While Finishing.com would cheerfully accept any tape or notebook that was otherwise unwanted, we certainly wouldn't want anything that one of his friends would value. If Lou Jr. or Lou III have anything they can offer you as a momento, that would be wonderful! If they have accumulated more than you can deal with we'll be here.

Regards,

Ted Mooney finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

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