John E. Morin | Biochemist, 56

John E. Morin, 56, a research scientist who loved science fiction, died June 30 of heart failure in Collegeville, where he worked for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

Mr. Morin screened chemicals for their medicinal potential at Wyeth, where he started work in 1984.

He was a voracious reader of science fiction, especially authors of the 1960s such as Ray Bradbury, said his brother, Philip. "He absolutely loved it," his brother said. "His room was floor-to-ceiling science-fiction books." It was science fiction that inspired Mr. Morin to pursue science as a career.

He grew up in Laconia, N.H., where as a Boy Scout he reached the rank of Eagle Scout. He earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the University of New Hampshire before earning his doctorate in the discipline from Purdue University in 1982.

In addition to his brother, Mr. Morin is survived by his wife of 26 years, Barbara; a son, David; a daughter, Elizabeth; and a sister, Lisa Morin.

A celebration of Mr. Morin's life will be at 11 a.m. today at the Good Shepherd Chapel of the Limerick Garden of Memories, 44 Swamp Pike, Limerick. Friends may call at 10 a.m. Burial is private.

Memorial donations may be made to Conservation Research at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, Calif. 93940.