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JACQUES MORGAN Obituary
JACQUES RENE MORGAN
Jacques Rene Morgan, 62, owner of Idle Time Books in Washington, DC for 30 years, died on Monday, November 26, 2012 at the Washington Home. Val, his wife of 29 years, was by his side. He is survived by his parents, Suzon and John D. Morgan, sister Jacqueline, her husband Scott and their three children; brothers Paul Morgan, his wife Deann, their two children of New York and George Weatherly, his wife Tamara, and two children of Tallahassee, Florida. In addition to family, he leaves behind innumerable friends and fellow bibliophiles. In lieu of flowers, come buy a book. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for JACQUES MORGAN
Lisa Harry
November 26, 2019
Love you and memories always
Enid Tweedie-Perry
December 20, 2012
I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't know Jacques, from when he lived with my mother's cousin on Hobart Street, through the many years he was one of my father's dearest friends, to the time I began working at Idle Time and truly became friends with him myself. I loved his cantankerous curmudgeonliness, his deep caring and boundless generosity to those he loved (and they were many), and his fierce advocacy of books, Adams Morgan, and being his own man. I am so grateful to have known him. Val, I hope you find some comfort in how much he touched so many people.
Renée Stout
December 15, 2012
Visiting Idle Time, browsing through art books and chatting with Jacques was one of those simple little things things that I've enjoyed over the years. He always made me laugh when I would come in the store or see him out on he sidewalk. I'll miss him and 18th Street won't be the same without him.
Ron Morreale
December 15, 2012
Jacque and Val's shop bring back memories of my first years living in DC and I'm still going there, 27 years later. Idle Times is great memorial to a great man.
Alan Hoshor
December 15, 2012
I still cannot believe this.
I met Jacques in April 1979. I was interviewing for a room at a group house on Hobart Street. I moved in May 1979. I moved out six years later.
I'll always remember Jac's dynamism, his smoker's laugh, his incredible driving skills, his cheerfully inappropriate humor, his lop-sided political commentary, his charmingly unique take on the English language. And his enduring warmth for his friends. I think I speak for many when I say, Jac, you'll always have a place in our hearts.
Carlos Lumpuy, Champlain Street, Adams Morgan
December 13, 2012
Seasons' Greetings.
Bookman Jacques Morgan and I were neighbors for some 30 years. A 16-foot alley separates his 18th Street bookshop and his home above the store from my home and my properties on Champlain Street.
Over the years I've bought a few dozen of his books since Idle Time Books was across and further down 18th Street, mostly gardening and history books, poetry, too.
I liked Jacques. Jacques didn't like me though. You see, I'm a Republican.
Still, I've been a buy–local broken record promoting our non food and beverage merchants at 18th and Columbia Road all these many years, particularly in these modern times with the advent of computers and this on–line culture that is destroying our neighborhoods.
As good neighbors we need to better weave ourselves into our neighborhood, support and patronize our local merchants or we won't have them here with us. Many of them open seven days a week and strive to do so during these hard times.
Anyhow, a Jose Marti poem from one of his books:
I cultivate a white rose?
In July as in January
?For the sincere friend
?Who gives me his hand frankly.??
And for the cruel person who tears out
?the heart with which I live,?
I cultivate neither nettles nor thorns:?
I cultivate a white rose.
And to his widow, Val, who must now struggle with not only the loss at such a young age of her husband three decades married, but struggle to stay solvent in business with diminishing fewer of us who enjoy reading tactile with book in hand turning a page and not on a screen,
My sincere condolences, Val, with whom I seek to console and assuage with this poem:
“The campaigns of a people are only weak when in them is not enlisted the heart of a woman;
But when a woman is shaken and helps, when a woman, timid and quiet in her nature, cheers and applauds,
When a woman cultured and virtuous anoints a deed with the honey of her love,
The deed is invincible.”
–Jose Marti, Cuban Poet and Liberator; Spoken at Key West, Florida in 1892 at the San Carlos Institute where I am a patron and benefactor.
Val, I'm in the D.C. Phone book, same number all these many years. Come visit me on Champlain Street anytime.
The alley's not that wide. It never has been.
Monsieur Jacques Rene Morgan, rest in peace, and together in spirit with Val, may God's grace be with you in all the days ahead.
Scott Sowers
December 12, 2012
I would wish him to rest in peace but that was never his style. He shall be missed.
Clarencetta Jelks
December 12, 2012
Val, Jacques' smile, his laughter and the wonderful memories will not be forgotten. He had a way of bringing old friends and acquaintances together (the Idle Time Books anniversary party at the Mambo Room)for fond memories of yesteryear. Jacques loved books. He was UNIQUE, indeed a treasure.
Martha McGrath Seiver
December 10, 2012
My heart goes out to the members of Jacques family, especially Paul, Val, and Jacques' lovely parents. All of us can open an old book and find a sense of Jacques. It is a tiny comfort that his eyes may have seen the words or his hands may have touched the book's spine.
December 10, 2012
jacques the way your friends write about you, you are everything your mother Suzon use to describe you and worry so much about you,sorry did not get to know you. nicole
Ed Lawrence
December 9, 2012
Jacque,
So sorry to hear that you are gone. I so enjoyed being in business in Adams Morgan when we were pioneers of the neighborhood. To Val and the Adams Morgan community-- my deepest sympathy.
joe stewart
December 9, 2012
Jack was a real cool guy. He will be missed. I saw him at all the booksales for over 30 years.
He could pile up more books to buy and do it faster than anyone else.
He was liked by everyone because he minded his own business and therefore he had a business to mind.
After the riots years ago in Mt.Pleasant and Adams Morgan he was on TV locally complaining that the police had closed businesses in the area.
He said, "I need to open my store. I have to make a living". I think the riots were still going on when he said that.
Linda Shiner
December 8, 2012
Val - Our lives have twisted and turned for 33 years. I feel blessed to have spent time with you and Jacques. Peace!
Peter Mann
December 7, 2012
Jacques will be greatly missed. He was a unique person with whom I was fortunate to share many wonderful conversations and terrific moments.
Brian Peterkin-Vertanesian
December 7, 2012
I love the way Jacque always made me laugh. Among so many other things! So sorely he will be missed....
December 6, 2012
2 quotes by John Lennon:
" Love is a promise, Love is a souvenir, once given never forgotten, never does it disappear." and "I'm not afraid of dying.. to me dying is like getting out of one car and into another." SO,RIDE ON JACQUES! You've left a legacy on 18th St You will be missed. xoxoxo to you and Val
Eddie Becker
December 5, 2012
Where ever I go, whatever city, in whatever country, I first seek out the used bookstore. It is there, I find knowledge someone felt worth keeping and passing on. So I have discovered many things. And so it was with my last visit to Idle Time books, this past Sunday, up to the second floor, in the front before the great windows, the beautiful stuffed chair, bathed in light, and there, next to the chair, propped up on a display are books on existentialism, Camus, Eco, Nietzche, Sartre... And I thought how wonderful, Jacque and Val did this.
For Jacque
“He was free, free in every way, free to behave like a fool or a machine, free to accept, free to refuse, free to equivocate; to marry, to give up the game, to drag this death weight about with him for years to come. He could do what he liked, no one had the right to advise him, there would be for him no Good or Evil unless he thought them into being.” ? Jean-Paul Sartre
Jacqueline Morgan
December 5, 2012
To my big brother Jacques who lived such a rich and passionate life with his love for Val, his friends and the bookstore. You really were the smartest in the family and I miss you so much. Wish you could be here to help me take care of mom and dad!!
December 5, 2012
Truly a one and only, spoke his mind and lived his life his way, no dull moments with Jacque and Val, thanks Jacque you brightened many lives, you were a great teacher and I will carry those lessons with me in your memory. Many prayers and much Love to you Val you're a great team, still.
Phil Fenty
saied azali
December 5, 2012
My fondest memory of Jack is of he and Val always trying to make the neighborhood better and improve it. I truly miss you Jack.
Adam Schaeffer
December 5, 2012
When you hired me you changed my life, Jacques! Thank you, and I miss you already!
Jan Fenty
December 5, 2012
Fun, loving memories of being fellow business owners with Jacques and Val as they opened their home and hearts for meetings where we tried to make Adams Morgan a good neighborhood for all. I miss those times together. Sending blessings of comfort to Val.
Paul Gautreaux
December 4, 2012
When I think of my cousin Jacques, I am reminded of our younger days at the YMCA beach, where we spent many happy summers. I will always remember Jacques and those carefree days of our childhood.
Nancy Purcell
December 3, 2012
I met Jacques when I moved to a group house in Adams Morgan in '78, and remained one of my favorite characters of that era, even though I'd see him only on the odd occasion that I visited DC. What a smart, good-hearted man, and what a legacy he left - how many lives he touched. His is a loss we will all feel. My condolences to Val.
Amy Taylor
December 3, 2012
Jacques was always a welcoming friend. I have warm memories of visiting Val & him. It was fun that we shared a birthday. It's so hard to believe he's gone. I'm feeling for you, Val. Much love, Amy
Irene Martinez
December 3, 2012
Jacques' presence will be missed in Adams-Morgan. His bookstore, Idle Times, added so much to the community and fortunately survived all the ups and downs of the economy. The book store will be his legend as long as someone can keep it going. But the window changes were something else. It was a work of art the way he was able to change those windows. Value must have helped.
Tony Ryan
December 3, 2012
Jacques was a great friend & and colleague. I won't forget his and Val's friendship AND SUPPORT while I lived in DC. Jacques Rene Morgan PRESENTE!!!
Joe Sterling
December 3, 2012
A wonderful friend.Spent beach week with he & Val over the years. Traveled to Europe together. Thanks Jacques, I will miss you
Michele Maniscalco
December 3, 2012
Even more sad because Jacques was so young. His and Idle Time's presence in the neighborhood certainly added light to my life when I lived in Adams Morgan. I will miss him, even though I don't get to DC often anymore. Idle Time is always one of my stops when I return, and it will continue to be.
December 3, 2012
One of the city's finest bookstores...
December 3, 2012
I met Jacques when he was Second Story Books' first employee. We were instant friends. Idle Time Books is a lasting memorial to a good friend. --Joel Pollack
Archie and Bonnie
December 3, 2012
A true gentleman. We will miss him.
Andy Moursund
December 2, 2012
Jack was a true original, a real life version of Freewheelin' Franklin, and I mean that in the best possible way. He made Idle Time Books last for 32 years and counting, and in this age of brick and mortar book shop doom, that's an incredible accomplishment. From one former book dealer to another, may the music be good Up There and may you forever rest in peace. We're going to miss you, brother.
Tex Gomez
December 2, 2012
What a good man he was. Always friendly and kind towards me, a book lover. A quiet and knowledgeable man ever-ready to find you a good book. May he rest in peace. Tex.
eric sheridan
December 2, 2012
Jacques was a great guy and he had great books. every old book i have i got from his shop when i lived in Adams Morgan. i went to a dinner party at his place once and was dumbfounded by all of the really valuable books he had in his private collection. you will be sorely missed brother
December 2, 2012
Always in our hearts and memories... happy to have known you!
Annette Klause
December 2, 2012
Jacques always brought a smile to my face. Because he was so comfortable to be around, from the moment I met him it felt like I'd known him forever. He became an instant old friend. Talking over a beer while waiting for our take-out pizzas one night after a book signing, we laughed because it turned out we didn't really know as much as we thought about each other. Even though I saw him infrequently over the years, it was always a pleasure. I will miss running into him at those unexpected and delightful times.
Steve Niles
December 2, 2012
So sorry to hear about Jacques. He was a great guy, kept me employed throughout my teens and 20's. He will be missed. Love to all his friends and family.
Joe Sterling
December 2, 2012
a wonderful friend shared beach week for numerous years traveling companion in the US and Europe. Thanks Jacques I will miss you
John Thomson
December 2, 2012
Jacques was a good bookman, didn't get together as much as we should have these later years. My best to Val.
Dona Lenkin
December 2, 2012
Very hard to believe that he will no longer be a part of our lives and the lives of so many others.
Dennis Carroll
December 2, 2012
To Val--I always enjoyed the chance to talk with Jacques when I visited Idle Time Books. His sense of humor, easygoing ways, and comments on books were greatly appreciated. I was truly saddened this morning when I heard that he has passed away. I am sure that he leaves many happy memories with you and a lot of Idle Time customers as a great guy. Best wishes at a very sad time. Sincerely, Dennis Carroll
December 2, 2012
nothing 'flowery' from me Here...let it suffice to say that A BOOK Will have to be written on 'our Jacques'! love you, miss you already, Ted
December 2, 2012
Jacques was a good man,and that's a huge understatement. I will miss him.
December 2, 2012
Jack was a brother from another mother that I will always hold close to my heart. There was only one Jacques Rene'! ",pronounce it right or call me Jack" Go in peace, bro.
Vivienne Wildes
December 2, 2012
Jacques Morgan was a good friend and I will miss him sorely.
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