Morley Schloss passed away on July 23, 2024 at the age of 82 after a valiant battle with COVID-19. Morley was a lifelong activist and firm advocate for civil rights, peace, and body freedom. His work in service of human dignity and progress has resulted in substantial change, particularly through his dedication and support of the naturist cause. Morley will be remembered by his family, diverse communities in Rochester, NY and surrounding areas and a vibrant community of naturists both at Sunsport Gardens and beyond.

He is survived by his partner, Theresa Frazier, his children Nina Redmond, Heather Schloss, Hilary Lindsey and Evan Schloss, and his five grandchildren Elena Redmond, Anna Redmond, Finley Redmond, Silas Lindsey, and Willow Lindsey.

John Morley Schloss was born to Esther and Phillip Schloss and raised with his sister Kay in Cleveland, Ohio. Morley loved the arts and thinking outside the box from a young age. Morley attended Harvard University, where he majored in government and social relations and then earned his Master's in Education in 1964. He married Andria Fedoruk in 1963 and they moved to Rochester, New York, after graduating, to became a progressive educator at Harley School. Morley and Andrea had two children together, Nina (1967) and Heather (1969). Passionate about alternative education, he later founded, Atkinson school, inspired by the philosophies of Summerhill, so his daughter, Nina, would not have to attend public school.   He later worked for the Rochester School District promoting equity and inclusion and was active with Our School, an alternative elementary school his two youngest children attended. 

Throughout the 1960's Morley and Andrea quickly became indispensable figures within the anti-war, No-Nukes, and civil rights movements in Rochester, NY. Together, they founded and ran the Rochester Peace Newsletter. Morley organized a number of marches, demonstrations, and sit-ins, and was arrested for his activism several times. in 1966, Morley was moves by the devastation of the Vietnam was to run for Congress as the "Voters for Peace" party candidate. He dreamed of affecting change towards peace and in defense of civil rights for all peoples. His life long commitment to peace and justice led him to run for Congress in 1966 as the “Voters for Peace” party candidate, where he sought to provide a voice against the Vietnam War, advocating for peace and civil rights. He regularly took his children to peace rallies and demonstrations. He was active socially and politically throughout his life promoting peace and justice.  

Morley loved music, musicals, and plays. He attended Woodstock in 1969 as well as many folk music festivals over the years. He loved travel, camping and attending festivals. He often took his family to festivals promoting social change and progressive values. Morley supported the local performing arts in Rochester and attended plays and musicals as often as possible. 

Morley also shared his love for nature and travel with his family. He married his second wife, Mary Lou, in 1974 and had two more children, Hilary (1977) and Evan (1980). Morley, Mary Lou, Hilary and Evan spent most summers camping at Steph's Pond and took trips to Florida and around the country visiting nudist parks and clothing optional destinations on most school breaks. It was on these trips that he developed his deep love and appreciation for Sunsport Gardens.  

Morley was a champion for birthing and breastfeeding choices and freedom.  Morley resisted against hospital proticols and social norms of men not being allowed in the delivery room for the birth of his first two children so he could support his wife and be present for his children's births.  His younger two children were born at home with the support of midwives and many friends. Morley and Mary Lou worked with midwives, doctors, hospitals, and community members to help change laws, policies, access to and perceptions of home birth in New York state. Childbirth network and breastfeeding meetings were often held in Morley's home. Midwives throughout western New York fondly remember Morley for helping them gain the  legal right to practice and attend home births more safely. Morley was also a supporter of breastfeeding and the right's of women to feed their children naturally anywhere they want. Morley helped to normalize breastfeeding in public and remove all legal barriers and threats for women who breastfeed in public. 

Some years after retiring from the Rochester City School District, Morley followed the sun and moved to his favorite place, Sunsport Gardens in Florida. Once there full time, he quickly became an integral part of the Sunsport community.  Morley began organizing and running camps and festivals at Sunsport to share his love of the naturist lifestyle.  His involvement both in political action to protect and expand nude recreation and social and cultural acceptance of nude recreation have created a powerful and lasting impact for so many people.

Organic gardening was a lifelong hobby and talent of Morley's. Finding the typical grass front lawn wasteful and boring, Morley turned the front yard of his Rochester home into a thriving organic edible garden. He was often still harvesting kale from under the snow into early winter. He continued his love of planting edible gardens and fruit trees when he moved to Sunsport Gardens where he learned to grow new plants that thrived in Florida's climate. Morley enjoyed a pescatarian  diet, eating mostly vegetarian meals with occasional fish and seafood. 

 Morley loved spending time with his family and community. His children and grandchildren enjoyed family get-togethers whenever Morley traveled to NY. He loved giving tours of Sunsport and showing off all the improvements and garden growth whenever they visited Florida. He created so many positive memories for his grandchildren while spending time with them doing fun things like swimming, hiking, shows and theme, animal, and water parks to name a few. His unconditional support, interest, openness, and love for his children and grandchildren will be something they cary with them always. 

Morley swam every day and enjoyed playing volleyball and tennis. He loved staying active and enjoying the outdoors. Morley loved visiting clothing optional beaches, waterfalls, and hot springs and sharing these natural wonders with the people he cared about. He was passionate about and dedicated to the naturist movement and clothing optional recreation.  His genuine openness, care, and connection touched the lives and hearts of so many people and communities in so many different ways. 

Morley is deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his family, friends, Sunsport Gardens community, Rochester Naturist community, and all those he met or positively impacted in his work for peace, justice, social change and nude recreation and living.  

Written collaboratively by his family 

Obituary Written by Evan Nicks: 

"Morley Schloss passed away on July 23, 2024 at the age of 82 after a courageous battle with COVID-19. His life’s work deeply influenced naturist culture and legal boundaries, leaving a legacy that extends far beyond the confines of Sunsport Gardens and into the broader realm of civil liberties. Morley will be remembered by his family and a vibrant community of naturists both at Sunsport Gardens and beyond.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Morley later attended Harvard University, where he majored in government and social relations. His early career was dedicated to education in Rochester, New York, where he became a progressive educator and founded a school inspired by the philosophies of Summerhill. His commitment to peace and justice led him to run for Congress in 1966 as the “Voters for Peace” party candidate, where he sought to provide a voice against the Vietnam War, advocating for peace and civil rights.

A trailblazer for body freedom

Morley’s journey into naturism began serendipitously at Woodstock in 1969. The festival, renowned for its celebration of freedom and music, was where Morley experienced the liberating feeling of being nude in nature. This transformative experience sparked his lifelong dedication to the naturist movement. Recognizing the need for community, he founded Naturist Rochester, a non-landed group, and even built an indoor pool in his home’s basement by hand to provide a year-round space for naturists in the area.

His involvement in naturist politics was significant. Morley served as president of the Eastern Sunbathing Association, where he championed a series of progressive reforms. He actively participated in free beach demonstrations and top-free activism during the 1980s.

Morley became best known for his pivotal role in the Rochester Topfree Seven case. In 1986, a group of women, including his wife Mary Lou Schloss, were arrested for being topfree in a public park. Morley, although not a lawyer, meticulously researched and wrote legal briefs that were instrumental in their defense. Their eventual acquittal in 1992 marked a significant legal victory, affirming women’s rights to top freedom across New York State. Morley modestly recalled in a recent interview, “They used my briefs. Changed them a little bit, but I was very honored and we won unanimously.”

Beyond his legal battles, Morley was a unifying figure within the naturist community. He was one of the initial trustees of the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) and a member of the first elected NAC board when it was established in 1991. His later stewardship of Sunsport Gardens transformed it into a sanctuary of inclusivity and respect, focusing on families. His efforts ensured that the community thrived as a space where naturists could gather, share experiences, and live freely. He was deeply involved in organizing and promoting events, including the long-running Mid-Winter Naturist Festival, which has become a staple event for naturists nationwide.

Morley’s commitment to naturism and advocacy for body freedom extended into his later years. He was a highly visible figure for his involvement in top-free equality campaigns and free beach activism, always pushing for greater acceptance and understanding of naturist values. His dedication was not limited to local efforts; he maintained a national presence, contributing to various naturist organizations and movements, even appearing on the Phil Donahue show in 1986.

An unbelievable legacy

His story and achievements were recently celebrated in an in-depth interview on the Naked Age podcast in June 2024. During this interview, Morley shared insights into his life’s work, reflecting on the cultural and social impacts of his advocacy. His humble acknowledgment of his contributions to significant legal battles and community building was evident as he spoke about his experiences and the victories that shaped the naturist movement.

Morley’s legacy is one of unwavering dedication to the principles of body freedom and equality. He leaves behind a community inspired by his vision and fortified by his efforts. His life reminds us that passion coupled with action can indeed transform society. As we honor Morley Schloss, we remember a man who lived boldly, loved fiercely, and left an indelible mark on the world of naturism and beyond.

Reflecting on his life’s work for Naked Age, Morley said, “Everything I’ve done has always been for values that I cared about. I’ve never done anything violent or to hurt anyone else. The civil disobedience has all been in the spirit of Martin Luther King or Gandhi.” His words encapsulate the spirit with which he approached his advocacy and the enduring impact he leaves behind.

Morley’s story is a testament to the power of individual action and the lasting influence one person can have on a movement. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of naturists and advocates for body freedom. In celebrating Morley’s life, we acknowledge the profound cultural changes he helped bring about and the enduring community he nurtured. His contributions to naturism and social justice will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him and those who continue to benefit from his work."

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