Stephen Richard Morello

Steve was born in New York City during a blizzard on Jan 20, 1946. He was born into a big Italian family. He loved holidays and gatherings. He was always happiest when he was around his family and friends. He had a quick wit and loved to joke around. He was a lifetime New York Yankees fan and loved the New York Rangers. He loved music and movies. Some of his all-time favorite movies were “They Died with Their Boots On” “The Godfather” and “Godfather 2”, although like the rest of the world, he didn’t like Godfather 3. His favorite singers were Al Jolson, Hank Williams, Johnny Horton, Bobby Darin and Frank Sinatra.

He grew up in the age of Doo-Wop music and loved all the sounds and groups from that era especially Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers. He loved playing stickball during his youth and later in life became an avid bowler. His generosity was unconditional. If you needed him, he was always there. He attended Dewitt Clinton High School in the Bronx and as soon as he was old enough to get a job, he worked at Godfried’s Bakery bringing home fresh rolls and bread at 2:00 in the morning for his family to enjoy when they woke up. In 1968 during the height of the Vietnam War, Uncle Sam called. Unlike so many who dodged the draft and protested the war, Steve reported for duty and was enlisted. Unfortunately, he was wounded and almost lost his life. He was honorably discharged in 1970 and like so many others never talked much about his time in the service. Yet he served his country during a time when public opinion and many in the media condemned not only the war, but those who served.

Following in his father’s footsteps and as well as his older brothers Chuck and Joe, Steve started to work in the photo industry. He worked as a printer at Tru Color where he was also a shop steward and at O'Henry’s Filmworks in New York City. The culmination of his post Army life occurred in 1981 when he went into business with his brother Joe and opened the renowned Magicolor Photo Lab in Montclair, New Jersey being one of the first film labs to offer same day and then eventually one hour service of film developing. After many successful years in business, Steve decided to retire and in 2007 moved to Coconut Creek, Florida where he made countless friends and continued to bring joy and laughter to all of

those around him. Steve was predeceased by his father Charles and his beloved mother Ann, as well as his brother Tony and his wife Millie and his brother Chuck and his wife Pat. He is survived by his brother Joe and his wife Carmela, his sister Steph and her husband John, his brother John and his wife Sandi, his brother Jim and his wife Bernadette, and his sister Nina. He was a great and loving uncle to many, many nieces and nephews.

We are thankful that is suffering is over and he is in the arms of the Lord. What remains is a huge hole in our hearts and the feeling that a part of us is missing. We know that over time the emptiness will be filled with a lifetime of wonderful memories and the knowledge that our bond doesn’t end here.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at t2t.org

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Andrew Church, 120 Washington Avenue, Westwood, NJ, on Friday, April 25th at 11am. Committal to follow at 12:30pm, at George Washington Memorial Park, 234 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07653.