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John Morley Obituary
White Plains - John J. Morley, born December 22, 1930 to John Morley and Mary McGuiness in Queens, NY, passed away Saturday, March 3rd, surrounded by his family.
He was a graduate of Manhattan Prep in 1948 and Manhattan College in 1952. John began a 51 year career in stadium concessions in 1944 working in Yankee Stadium as a peanut vendor and he progressed from peanuts to hot dogs, beer and ultimately to management with Harry M. Stevens Inc., inventor of the hot dog and vendor to the world, caterer extraordinaire, concessionaire at ballparks, arenas and racetracks across America.
After opening RFK Stadium (Washington DC) in 1961 he returned to NY where he opened Shea Stadium with the NY Mets and NY Jets. From baseballs and footballs to Papal visits and Presidents, from the Beatles and Rolling Stones to wrestling and roller derby, John oversaw the fan experience for the tens of millions of people who attended events at Shea from 1964 to 2008. Working from his base at Shea, John also managed HMS activities at the Nassau Coliseum, Madison Square Garden, the NY Coliseum, the Meadowlands complex, Fenway Park and many other sports venues.
John Morley's professional life was characterized by a commitment to excellence, a commitment to respect for fellow employees, and, a commitment to making the best possible experience for all fans -especially as reflected in the smiling faces of children enjoying that first ballpark hot dog or wearing their team's hat. His commitment to employee excellence is demonstrated by the tens of thousands of men and women whose working careers began in a stadium, many of whom have chosen careers in the service sector and many of whom have chosen the experience as a foundation for other industries; his commitment to the fan experience is reflected in the many new services, menu items and quality programs that enable fans to maximize their stadium experience. Mr. Morley will be missed by all those he has served and especially by those with whom he has worked. His commitment to excellence will continue through the legacy he has left after half a century of service to sports fans and music lovers.
John was a member of the Old Guard of White Plains served in the Army from 1948 to 1957. He was an avid golfer and traveler crisscrossing the US and the globe with Mary, his wife of 65 years who passed in September 2017.
He is survived by sons James (Geraldine) of Tappan, NY and Thomas (Maureen) of Suffern, NY, daughter Susan (Mark) Sweeney of Chester Springs, PA, grandchildren Brian, Terence, James, Brendan, Moira and Kieran, and great-grandchildren Avery, James and Olivia; and, step-grandchildren Hillary, Lauren and Kurt. He was predeceased by his brother Wiliam. Visitation will be Wednesday March 7th from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows on Thursday March 8th at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in the memory of John J. Morley for a scholarship fund to Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 920 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, NY 10605.
McMahon, Lyon & Hartnett FH
491 Mamaroneck Ave.
White Plains, NY 10605
914-949-7777
mcmahonfuneralhome.com
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Memories and Condolences
for John Morley
Sponsored by McMahon, Lyon & Hartnett Funeral Home, Inc..
Anthony Robinson
December 30, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.you were a great friend and boss always had my back and I know it wasn't easy you will be truly missed
Ronald Mergenthaler
October 28, 2018
John hired me as a vendor on May 4, 1974. I stuck it out for 42 years until my body could no longer cooperate. It was at Shea that I met most of the people I have and still call friends, including my best friend. He and his wife introduced me to the woman to whom I've been married for 32 years. John was a good boss, but, more importantly, a good man.
March 29, 2018
John became a great and valued friend when we moved into Gedny Commons. Our talks on politics, sports and the world will forever be with us. A truly great man.
Our sincerest Condolences
Rocco & Joanne Lafa
March 29, 2018
Just learned of John's passing on the Mets broadcast. He was a good friend while I was managing he HMS operation at the NY race tracks all my best to his family, Frank Tynan, Saratoga Springs, N,Y.
Dr. Michael Madden
March 8, 2018
My sincere condolences to the Morley family. He was a great man, a great conversationalist. I will miss him.
John Castelli
March 7, 2018
John was the best manager ever! He would always care for his managers and employees. We kept in touch for over 30 years. He touched thousands of us with warm and caring heart and sense of humor. RIP
Judy Crilley
March 6, 2018
My deepest condolences to the entire family of John Morley.
Mr. Morley was my first boss way back in 1969, when the Mets won their first World Series! When I think of him, I smile...
He truly believed in family!!
He hired most of mine!
My Mother, Frances, my 3 sisters, Carol, Fran, Lauraine and my brother, Larry, all worked for him at Shea Stadium!
Bless the Morleys... The Crilley family was so lucky to know your Dad, Grandfather & Great Grandfather!
John Coppola
March 6, 2018
Rest in peace......What an incredible legacy.
fjohn reinke (mc1968)
March 6, 2018
The Manhattan College & Prep alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings & Prep community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself ... any mans death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.
Deborah Donner
March 6, 2018
I remember John Morley as the man in the green suit. That was my first impression of him as a 19 year old working at Shea Stadium in 1986. I later learned to think of him as a kind man who always had time to stop by and say hello. He was always happy to see the "old timers" as we became later down the line , still working at now Citifield when he would stop by and visit, of course he was still wearing his famous suits.
He will be truly missed by all who knew him.
Rest in Peace..
Deborah Donner
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Memorial Events
for John Morley
Mar
7
Visitation
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
McMahon, Lyon & Hartnett Funeral Home, Inc.491 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605
Mar
7
Visitation
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
McMahon, Lyon & Hartnett Funeral Home, Inc.491 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605
Funeral services provided by:
McMahon, Lyon & Hartnett Funeral Home, Inc.491 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605
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