Philip J. Morabito
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Morabito, Philip J. Rochester: January 17, 2016 at age 92. Predeceased by his loving wife, Nancy (Simeone) Morabito; brothers & Sister, Vincent, Joseph, Anthony Morabito & Virginia Cimino. Survived by sons, David (Anita) of Rochester, Philip (Joan) of Houston, Bruno (Tracy) of Las Vegas; daughters, Kathleen (Raymond) Marsh of Rochester, Barbara (Gary) Merkle of Dallas; 12 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; brothers, Bruno (Marie), Paul (Loretta) Morabito; sisters, Frances Farinella, Mary Renna, Jean Mayer, Nellie (Dan) Canzano; many loving family & dear friends. Philip was a proud veteran of the United States Navy and served our Country in the WWII & the Korean War. He is a retiree of Eastman Kodak Co., a member of AMPS, Just Poets and a choir member with St. Kateri Parish. He was an avid songwriter, poet and loved to perform. He enjoyed the outdoors and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Philip’s visitation will be held Tuesday, Jan. 19th 3:30 PM – 7:30 PM at Vay-Schleich & Meeson Funeral Home, 1075 Long Pond Rd. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, Jan. 20th 11:00 AM at St. Salome’s Church 4282 Culver Road. Entombment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Honor Flight or to the Sisters of St. Joseph in his memory. For more information and to sign his online guestbook, visit www.meesonfamily.com
I have enjoyed even the third harmonica renditions of She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain…’ that Phil gave us with such joy and life sparkling enthusiasm. We were members of Just Poets together and I’d like to say, he was more than just a fine poet and joyous man. He was a gentleman and believer. His poems centered on family and his faith, echoing a hard and good life, one lived to be used as a beautiful example for all. Rest well my friend, you did your work and shared your joy like few others.
Phil was a dear person. I always admired his positive attitude and love of life. We truly enjoyed his poetry reading last May, with his co-residents and family and friends. He will be greatly missed!
There wasn’t a better man than a Uncle Phil. We’ll miss his talents and his always positive outlook. As he was precious to us, he is precious to God, and I am sure he and Aunt Nancy are enjoying the place that God has prepared especially for them. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences to the loved ones he leaves behind. Love and sympathy, Emily and Bob Brunner
To the family of Mr. Morabito, Condolences for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you. Please take care. Michael Popp. Calgary, AB (Friend of Eric Sorrentino)
I am glad a subset of the Just Poets group was able to honor Phil at St. Ann’s Community on May 11, 2015. I will always remember the poem I picked to read about ‘Papa’s Orange,’ where the mother packed an orange in the father’s lunch and the father brought it home to share with the children. When my husband passed away, he sent me a sympathy card and a thoughtful note. Our friendship began in 2006 at St. John Fisher College’s World Poetry Day when I played the CD so he could sing his original songs. My favorite was ‘Lagrime del Cuore’ (Tears from the Heart) even though it was sad. We shared an Italian heritage and thanks to Phil, I will continue to explore mine.
I am so saddened by the loss of one of the greatest individuals I ever knew – and I am proud that he was an Amazing Uncle! He was also a great brother(-in-law) to my Mom, Florie. She thought of him as her brother.
There are so many memories to share (such as him taking me bowling, fishing, etc) but most of all, I am so honoured that Uncle Phil came to my home, in London, Ontario, in 2002, and again in 2004. My kids will always cherish their framed copy of the special prayer he wrote for each of their baptisms, and we were fortunate that he attended both of their ceremonies.
Uncle Phil also entertained us all, at each baptism reception of theirs, with his original poems and songs.
God Bless u, Uncle Phil. U will always be missed. I’m glad my kids were able to meet you a few times, and they were happy to share your 90th Bday bash with you, too!!! My wife, Emily, and her parents, thought of Uncle Phil as their ‘Zio’ as well! Xoxoxo
I want to give my love to the Morabito Family, and in particular, my Godmother (and cousin) Barbara, cousins Phillip, David, Kathy, Bruno, and all of their respective families… xoxoxo – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/guestboo…
I was saddened to learn of Phil’s passing, but I can only smile when I think of him. I had the pleasure of meeting him on his Honor Flight and fondly remember him leading us in song. I will treasure the poems he wrote and shared and will miss hearing him sing at his ‘gigs’ (as he often called them). Rest in peace, Phil.
One night in winter I attended Phil’s reading in a coffee shop. His poems were good, but then he broke out a boom box and sang love songs in memory of his wife. I was so touched. He and I spoke often after that at Just Poet events, he was a sweet sweet man. I will miss him, and am thankful to have had him in my life in even these small ways.
One of the things i remember about Phil were his vivid memories of growing up, with details in his memory poems that I swear made you smell the pasta sauce! He had that gift to bring a scene to life and all the people in the poems. He was a gentle, tender soul who loved his family (as they know far better) fiercely — and lyrically with a heart and a voice that sang.
Phil was our neighbor and friend for around 18 years. He had a zest for life, and so many talents and interests. We used to love hearing him whistle when he came home, and hearing him play his harmonica. I remember him also singing to old records when his windows were open, on warm days in the summer. We will miss you, Phil , for a while,but see you again someday, in heaven.
Love you,
Candy and Mike
Phil was so proud of his new harmonica when our Just Poets group met for our Christmas party at my daughter’s house last month. He played all of the familiar Christmas Carols, then continued on with his repertoire, including ‘Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory’. Phil’s eyes always saw the glory, and he lit up the podium every time he read and sang to us. He always had an extra copy for anyone who praised his poem or song. He was a beacon for the modern mind: focus on your family, your work, your contribution to the rest of humanity. He made us all feel loved and needed, and there will be one fewer stars in our earthly sky tonight as the angels celebrate his arrival.
Phil was the sweetest member of Just Poets. It always touched my heart that he wrote so many poems to his dear wife. When Phil came into the room my heart lightened as did others. I will deeply miss him, but I will never forget him. Love and care to your family.
I am, we are so glad to have known Phil for such a short time. He always greeted I and my boys with such joy and enthusiasm of poetry and life, and even sang to us, as well as reciting poetry, from memory. He awed my oldest – ‘he has no papers, Mama!’ with his memory. He graced us with his work and his life. I am, we are, so sad to know he has passed, but so very glad to have known him while we could.
Sorry to learn of the loss of your dad. Prayers your way.
I was broken hearted to hear of Mr. Morabito’s passing, he was such a sweet person. I enjoyed his stories and his poems. My condolences to the Morabito family, may God bless you all.
Phil. You filled our hearts with joy and it was a true pleasure to know you. My Benjamin was especially sad to hear the news of your passing. Thank you for taking the time the past several years to talk ‘fishing’ with Benjamin. We will miss your music and sunshine. I hope you and my Dad are singing songs together now… God Bless you Phil! Forever in our hearts.
Ann Marie ( Quealy ) Casale and family
I will miss Phil! He always had a ready smile and a song to brighten your day!
Phil was a dear friend, a loving, caring man who was loved by everyone who knew him. I still recall meeting him at a Rochester Poets workshop ages ago; since we both had an Italian heritage, we were, of course, instant ‘amici’. Phil would manage to cheer you up even when he wasn’t feeling well himself. I have such fond memories of all the Rochester Poets summer picnics and Christmas parties he brightened with his singing, something he loved with a passion. I was devastated to awaken from an induced coma in January and learn that Phil had passed in the very same hospital, not too far from where I was recovering. On behalf of myself and Rochester Poets, I send his beloved family my deepest condolences. See more at http://bit.ly/PhilMorabito
I just learned of this today. He gave my wife some poems after we had run into Phil at Wegmans a little while back and happened to dona Google search today.I sang with Phil in the St. Salome’s choir in the 1990s. In 1999 I became a divorced Dad but traveling trainer. Phil would often come to my house at 6 a.m. to watch my two young sons until their school bus arrived when I had to depart very early. He would never let me pay him – always told me to put it in the collection plate. I was in NYC one day when my 4th grader’s teacher called me to say my son had forgotten his flute. I called Phil who had a key to my house and he went to the house, picked up the flute and delivered it to the school. I was very grateful to have such a friend and sad to learn of this today.