Angelo Morgia

Angelo Morgia, 88, Coffeen St., Watertown passed away Fri. afternoon, Jan. 29, 2010, at Samaritan Medical Center where he had been a patient since Jan. 24.

Mr. Morgia was born in Watertown on Oct. 30, 1921, the son of Cataldo and Ida Spaziani Morgia. He graduated from Watertown High School.

He entered the United States Marine Corps on Mar. 9, 1942. He was a mechanic and turret gunner, serving in the Pacific Area, and in the battles of the Soloman Islands and Okinawa. He was honorably discharged as a Technical Sergeant on Mar. 9, 1946.

On Nov. 30, 1947 he married Marilyn I. Nichols at St. Anthony's Church.

Mr. Morgia was co-owner of Morgia's Restaurant, Watertown and Morgia's Clamshed, Sackets Harbor. He was a bartender at the Westview Lodge, Henderson Harbor from 1978 - 1993, at the Gill House, Henderson Harbor, from 1993 - 1994, and then at Sboro's Restaurant, Watertown, from 1994 - 1996. He was a communicant of St. Anthony's Church. He was a member of the Elks Lodge 496, Italian American Club, American Legion Post 61, and the Marine Corps League.

He was a long-time player for the Watertown Red & Black. He played in 1941 before he entered the Marines. He then played from 1946 - 1951, where he was the Captain in 1949. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996.

Besides his wife, Marilyn, he is survived by his son and his wife, Gary R.J. & Yvonne M. Morgia, Watertown; his daughter, Bridget Ann Straight, MD; 9 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild; 1 sister, Helen Hjort, Oneida Castle; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by 7 brothers, Silverio J. "Bim", Theodore G., Robert L., Dominic, John, Teddy, and Frank J. Morgia, and 4 sisters, Angelina Morgia, Agnes Morgia, Josephine Dupee Hood, and Ann Marie Shortsleeve.

Calling hours will be held at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown on Tues., Feb. 2, from 2-4PM and from 7-9PM. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Wed., Feb. 3, at 9:15AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated at St. Anthony's Church at 10AM with Rev. Donald Robinson officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, town of Watertown.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the SPCA of Jefferson County, 25056 Water St. Ext., or the Marine Corps League, Jefferson County Detachment, PO Box 6421, both in Watertown, NY 13601, or to the Black River Valley Beagle Club, c/o Rich Peebles, 406 S. James St., Carthage, NY 13619.