Long-time photographer of Jewish communal life, Marc Morris, has passed away at the age of 57.

According to his family, Marc was a lifelong supporter of Leyton Orient and spent much of his decades-long career taking photos of Jewish sports, working for the JC for twenty years.

He grew up in Leytonstone with his family and paternal grandmother, attending first Simon Marks Jewish Primary School and then going onto JFS.

He left school at 16 and trained as an electrical engineer before starting work at De Lane Lee Studios, in Soho. Whilst there, Marc bought his first camera and found his creative and artistic outlet.

He loved the world of Maccabi and was a regular contributor in Sunday league football and International and European Maccabiah games. In 2021, as the UK emerged from the Covid Pandemic he created a moving series of photographs that followed people returning to synagogues after lockdown which featured in much of the Jewish and non-Jewish press.

The late Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, photographed by Marc Morris

Maccabi GB said in a statement Marc was “truly an expert in his passion of photography and his legacy and work will live on in the special moments that he captured time and time again. Gone far too soon, but will never be forgotten. Everyone at Maccabi GB wishes a long life to Nicola, Elisheva, Melanie and the whole family. Baruch Dayan Emet.”

The Maccabi GB team pray at the Kotel, photographed by Marc Morris

Maccabi GB Southern Football League said in an Instagram post: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of MGBSFL long time photographer Marc Morris. Marc Morris was a photographer in Jewish sports for over 15 years. No matter the weather, each Sunday Marc would be present with his camera at one of our games, delivering high quality images.

“We send our condolences to his wife, daughter and sister and other mourners and wish them all long life.”

A Maccabi football match, photographed by Marc Morris

Many comments on social media refer to Marc, who took photos for the JC, as a “mensch” who was “always gracious and sweet” and showed a “genuine interest in the players, clubs and fixtures”.

One person wrote: “Everyone who ever met him described him as such a lovely guy. I’ve never heard a word said against him. He’s touched so many people’s lives and will be remembered as a real legend of our little corner of the earth and for as long as Jews play amateur football in this country.”

Marc’s website has many examples of his vibrant and diverse work, capturing well-known figures such as His Majesty the King, the late Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, at least three former prime ministers, Stacey Solomon, Simon Cowell, Ed Miliband and Holocaust survivors.

Marc’s family paid tribute to him, saying: “We are distraught at the loss of our husband, Daddy and brother. Marc had a massive heart, and we just can’t imagine our lives without him. We have been blown away by the response from, in particular, the Jewish footballing community and know how much he was loved and respected by so very many.”