Joe Morgan Jr.

Joe Morgan, Jr. of Savannah, Georgia passed away on October 16, 2024. He was predeceased by his first wife, Rita Graziani Morgan, his parents, Mary Mohar Morgan and Joe Morgan, Sr., his brothers Frank Morgan (Agnes) Thomas Morgan (Lila), Alex Morgan (Mary Ann), and Edward Morgan (Marie) and his sisters Ann Morgan Sikina (John), and Margaret Morgan Gerlach (John) and Rose Morgan Przeklasa (Jack).

He is survived by his second wife, Theresa Sullivan Morgan, and his children Frank Morgan (Jean), Joseph Morgan (Mariel), Anna Morgan Anderson (Paul), and Thomas Morgan (Lori), along with eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by Theresa’s children, Arlete Sullivan Bacon (Chris) and Thomas Sullivan, who he always described as his “second family.”

Joe was born on March 29, 1931 in the coal mining village of Grindstone, Pennsylvania. During his youth, Joe milked cows, delivered newspapers, picked coal, and did many other odd jobs to help support his family during the Great Depression. Upon graduation from Redstone High School in 1949, he enlisted in the United States Army and continued service in the Army Reserve for over 10 years after his discharge from active duty.

Joe and Rita, who knew each other from high school, were married in 1953. One of their favorite stories was how Rita once threw a pile of books at Joe during their high school years because he was giving her a hard time. Joe frequently said that he could not have accomplished all that he did during his career without Rita’s unwavering encouragement and support.

In 1951, Joe began a career in the commercial bakery business in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, rising from a delivery driver to management positions in Pittsburgh, Richmond, Virginia, and Seattle, Washington. Joe concluded his very successful business career as the General Manager of the Wonder Bread and Hostess Cake Bakeries in Seattle from 1976-1993. Joe was very proud of the fact that the Seattle bakeries were among the most profitable in the country.

Upon his retirement, Joe and Rita retired to Skidaway Island near Savannah. During the years before Rita’s passing in 2000, they enjoyed traveling to Europe, Mexico, and Hawaii in addition to being an important part of the lives of their grandchildren. Joe also took up swimming and was recognized for swimming over 3,000 miles.

After Rita’s passing, Joe married Theresa in 2002. Theresa very much shared Joe’s passion for travel, and during the succeeding years, they traveled several times to Europe and enjoyed many cruises. Joe was always an avid card player, and Theresa introduced him to bridge, which they enjoyed together. He also developed a close relationship with Theresa’s family.

During his retirement years, Joe fulfilled a lifelong dream to attend college. For almost 10 years, Joe attended Armstrong University in Savannah part-time where he pursued his passion for history by taking numerous history classes in addition to other courses. Joe was very proud of the fact that he more than held his own academically and he greatly enjoyed his professors and fellow students. He was also very proud of being inducted into the National History Honor Society.

While at Armstrong, Joe served as a tutor in the school’s Writing Lab, where he loved working with young people and helping them to be successful. Joe was often referred to by students at the writing lab as “the old guy,” which he liked a lot. He was also proud of the fact that he once convinced the university president to maintain funding for the Center.

During his final years, Joe very much enjoyed living in an apartment at Thrive on Skidway Island, where he made many new friends. He took a very active role in Theresa’s care as her condition emerged and worsened and continued to pursue his love of reading. He also continued to enjoy playing poker.

Joe believed in hard work, self-discipline, persistence, and doing one’s very best all the time. His was a life of energy, learning, and achievement. He had many friends. He had a great sense of humor. He was blessed with a loving family, and he was a great husband and father. Yea, he was hard-headed too, but that added to his ethnic charm. He will be missed and will be a source of good stories for years to come.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10 AM Monday October 21, 2024 at the Savannah Catholic Pastoral Center at 2170 E. Victory Drive. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 AM followed by interment at Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Writing Center at Georgia Southern University – Armstrong Campus.