Obituary for Gilberto Morales Jr.
Gilberto Morales Jr, aka "The Great Gilberto", shuffled off this mortal coil on May 8, 2023 at the
age of 66. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on September 15, 1956, to Evis R Morales and Gilberto
Morales and had 4 younger siblings, Hector Morales (aka Golo), Ruben G Morales, and Cyntha
E Morales (Lugo), and one pre-deceased sibling, Anthony Morales.
Gilberto, fondly known as Moe, was a man of many loves. He married his high school
sweetheart, Dona Rae Turner in September of 1975. Many years later he tied the knot with
Kathleen Nicosia before settling down with his current wife Lisa Kelly. He had four children with
Dona Rae, Gilberto Morales 3rd, Christina (Michael) Sanders, Alexandria (Derrick) Ross, and
Paul (Kathleen) Morales, and was the beloved grandfather of ten grandchildren. He was also a
very loving stepfather, and loved all of his kids deeply.
In his early years, growing up in Puerto Rico, Gilberto, aka Peanuts, was a big man on campus
at Roosevelt Roads High school. He was graduating class of 1974, quite popularly known for
his athleticism, leadership, humor, and big personality. He was President of Student Council,
and a star athlete on the wrestling, football, and baseball teams. After graduation, Peanuts
attended Bradley University for one year, but then joined the Army in October 1975 where he
learned the values of discipline, hard work, and a deep love for country. He held those values
throughout life and displayed a penchant for discipline when later in life he became a youth
baseball coach.
Coach Moe touched the lives of many athletes in his lifetime. Coaching baseball was one of his
many talents (he was quite the artist, cake decorator and baker, made some mean tacos, and
could do amazing things with a roll of duct tape), but baseball was his greatest passion. He
grew up on the diamond and carried that into coaching and mentoring. He coached many
successful youth baseball and softball teams in his lifetime and touched the lives of countless
athletes. He simply LOVED ball.
Moe showed his love for his country and community in various ways. He was a community
volunteer with the Nursing Home Ministry, and helped feed the homeless and provide free
clothing to those in need, through the non-profit "Be the Change NE Florida”, he was a mentor
to youth, an impromptu dance and swim instructor for the neighborhood kids, and a food pantry
volunteer. After his debilitating stroke in 2021, he created a church group as a resident in the
nursing home because he felt the other residents could benefit. He loved to bring joy to those
around him. He loved making others laugh and feel welcome. He loved being connected. His
heart, although damaged, was big.
"The Great Gilberto" had an infectious personality and made friends everywhere he went. He
had the gift of gab, a great sense of humor and loved to tell corny dad jokes that could make
anyone's day. Moe wasn’t just a funny guy, he was an actual clown (yes, you read that right!).
The man was a real clown with Skittles and Friends Clown Entertainment where he portrayed
many characters such as Mickey Mouse, the Easter Bunny, Cat in the Hat, Minions, and more.
This allowed him to spread joy to countless people of all ages. Are we really surprised by this?
His love for looney tunes and comedic relief, coupled with his love for the spotlight should have
given insight to this possibility.
If you know Moe, you know his passion for music. He played bass and did occasional vocals in
a band called Union while at Rosie Roads, and always had an appreciation for good music
throughout his life. Although Moe loved and appreciated various forms of music, such as
Motown, Jazz, R&B, etc, he loved his Puerto Rican heritage and often shared his love through
music and dance. He loved to dance and have a good time anywhere and everywhere. He
loved for those around him to have a good time, and music was often a good segway to just
that. Many great memories were made in the Garage’!
Moe had a big heart and was there for those who needed a listening ear or some good advice.
He loved God and was a devoted member of Yulee Baptist Church, where he taught a young
men's class and volunteered in the church's food pantry.
"The Great Gilberto" lived many lives, but he lived them all well. He wasn't perfect, but he was
always striving to be a better person even in his last days.
Gilberto Morales Jr passed just after midnight May 8, 2023 peacefully while in his sleep. His
last day on earthside was spent watching The Last Dance, eating lunch, while getting a nice clip
and shave by daughter Alex and son-in-law Derrick. He was still joking, still laughing, and still
smiling all the way to the end. He said he felt good and that he had had a good day.
As the great Puerto Rican poet Julia de Burgos once said, "Life teaches us that it is better to
know how to endure than to know how to conquer." Moe endured and conquered, leaving a
legacy of love and laughter that will be cherished by all who knew him.
Rest in peace until we can dance again, Gilberto, Dad, Moe, Peanuts, Your humor, kindness,
and spirit will always be missed.
Celebration of Life Services for Gilberto (Moe) Morales will be Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 5:30pm
at Yulee Baptist Church, 85971 Harts Road, Yulee, FL 32097.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to your choice of either:
-Be the Change NE Fl, 14244 Pace Road Jacksonville, FL 32218
-The Roberto Clemente Foundation https://robertoclementefoundation.com/donate/
age of 66. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on September 15, 1956, to Evis R Morales and Gilberto
Morales and had 4 younger siblings, Hector Morales (aka Golo), Ruben G Morales, and Cyntha
E Morales (Lugo), and one pre-deceased sibling, Anthony Morales.
Gilberto, fondly known as Moe, was a man of many loves. He married his high school
sweetheart, Dona Rae Turner in September of 1975. Many years later he tied the knot with
Kathleen Nicosia before settling down with his current wife Lisa Kelly. He had four children with
Dona Rae, Gilberto Morales 3rd, Christina (Michael) Sanders, Alexandria (Derrick) Ross, and
Paul (Kathleen) Morales, and was the beloved grandfather of ten grandchildren. He was also a
very loving stepfather, and loved all of his kids deeply.
In his early years, growing up in Puerto Rico, Gilberto, aka Peanuts, was a big man on campus
at Roosevelt Roads High school. He was graduating class of 1974, quite popularly known for
his athleticism, leadership, humor, and big personality. He was President of Student Council,
and a star athlete on the wrestling, football, and baseball teams. After graduation, Peanuts
attended Bradley University for one year, but then joined the Army in October 1975 where he
learned the values of discipline, hard work, and a deep love for country. He held those values
throughout life and displayed a penchant for discipline when later in life he became a youth
baseball coach.
Coach Moe touched the lives of many athletes in his lifetime. Coaching baseball was one of his
many talents (he was quite the artist, cake decorator and baker, made some mean tacos, and
could do amazing things with a roll of duct tape), but baseball was his greatest passion. He
grew up on the diamond and carried that into coaching and mentoring. He coached many
successful youth baseball and softball teams in his lifetime and touched the lives of countless
athletes. He simply LOVED ball.
Moe showed his love for his country and community in various ways. He was a community
volunteer with the Nursing Home Ministry, and helped feed the homeless and provide free
clothing to those in need, through the non-profit "Be the Change NE Florida”, he was a mentor
to youth, an impromptu dance and swim instructor for the neighborhood kids, and a food pantry
volunteer. After his debilitating stroke in 2021, he created a church group as a resident in the
nursing home because he felt the other residents could benefit. He loved to bring joy to those
around him. He loved making others laugh and feel welcome. He loved being connected. His
heart, although damaged, was big.
"The Great Gilberto" had an infectious personality and made friends everywhere he went. He
had the gift of gab, a great sense of humor and loved to tell corny dad jokes that could make
anyone's day. Moe wasn’t just a funny guy, he was an actual clown (yes, you read that right!).
The man was a real clown with Skittles and Friends Clown Entertainment where he portrayed
many characters such as Mickey Mouse, the Easter Bunny, Cat in the Hat, Minions, and more.
This allowed him to spread joy to countless people of all ages. Are we really surprised by this?
His love for looney tunes and comedic relief, coupled with his love for the spotlight should have
given insight to this possibility.
If you know Moe, you know his passion for music. He played bass and did occasional vocals in
a band called Union while at Rosie Roads, and always had an appreciation for good music
throughout his life. Although Moe loved and appreciated various forms of music, such as
Motown, Jazz, R&B, etc, he loved his Puerto Rican heritage and often shared his love through
music and dance. He loved to dance and have a good time anywhere and everywhere. He
loved for those around him to have a good time, and music was often a good segway to just
that. Many great memories were made in the Garage’!
Moe had a big heart and was there for those who needed a listening ear or some good advice.
He loved God and was a devoted member of Yulee Baptist Church, where he taught a young
men's class and volunteered in the church's food pantry.
"The Great Gilberto" lived many lives, but he lived them all well. He wasn't perfect, but he was
always striving to be a better person even in his last days.
Gilberto Morales Jr passed just after midnight May 8, 2023 peacefully while in his sleep. His
last day on earthside was spent watching The Last Dance, eating lunch, while getting a nice clip
and shave by daughter Alex and son-in-law Derrick. He was still joking, still laughing, and still
smiling all the way to the end. He said he felt good and that he had had a good day.
As the great Puerto Rican poet Julia de Burgos once said, "Life teaches us that it is better to
know how to endure than to know how to conquer." Moe endured and conquered, leaving a
legacy of love and laughter that will be cherished by all who knew him.
Rest in peace until we can dance again, Gilberto, Dad, Moe, Peanuts, Your humor, kindness,
and spirit will always be missed.
Celebration of Life Services for Gilberto (Moe) Morales will be Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 5:30pm
at Yulee Baptist Church, 85971 Harts Road, Yulee, FL 32097.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to your choice of either:
-Be the Change NE Fl, 14244 Pace Road Jacksonville, FL 32218
-The Roberto Clemente Foundation https://robertoclementefoundation.com/donate/