Joseph F. Morgan

Joseph F. Morgan
Joseph F. "Joe" Morgan, age 74, of Painesville Township, passed away Friday, May 2, 2025, surrounded by his family, in Cleveland. He was born on February 5, 1951, in Cleveland. Joe was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 8, at St. Bede the Venerable Church, 9114 Lakeshore Blvd., Mentor, with Fr. Tim Plavac officiating. Burial to follow the Mass at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon Township.

Joe "Coach Morgan" is the loving husband of Donna M. Morgan for 27 years, and the proud father of Jen Morgan (Carmen Caliri), Laura (Anthony) Hocevar, Michael (Carly) Morgan and step-father to Melanie Mantenieks (Al Legzdins). Caring brother of Sr. Jane Morgan OSU, Catherine Kreczko (Thomas, dec.) (Jeff Kalail), Michelle Morgan (Mickey Coyne), Timothy (Debbie) Morgan and Monica (Tom) Daly; "Papa" of Gabby Paonska (Spencer Dusi), Aislynn (fiancé, Wade Novak), Lily, Maeve, and Mackenzie Hocevar, Emma Jaskela and Ayden Morgan; Martha (Dave) Waller, mother of Jen, Laura and Michael; nephew of Cecilia Sexton, Frank (Kay) Sexton and Jim Duda; brother-in-law of Sandra (Lou, dec.) Neuman-Reyes and Howard (Lee) Trower; uncle of Abbie and Allison Morgan, Kevin Kreczko, Kimberly (Sean) Keyes, Susan and Tara Daly, Ed (Rose) Neumann and Cathie (Shawn) Yowler; and great-uncle of eight.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph C. and Bernadette E. (nee Sexton) Morgan; grandson, "Baby Anthony" Hocevar; and Brian Wessels.

Joe loved the sport of baseball at an early age and continued playing on the Immaculate Conception Church team, in the Lake County Church League and the Willoughby Sunday Morning League. He played alongside his dad, his brother and brothers-in-law and won the Greater Cleveland SLO Pitch Softball Outfielder Award in 2018.
Joe had the special honor of teaching several celebrities when he was the tennis pro at Riverview Racquet Club when they were headliners at the Front Row Theater.

Joe was a certified teacher of tennis and pickleball. He developed a passion for tennis early in life. Joe began his professional instructor career in tennis with the City of Willoughby at Daniels Park. He continued his love of the sport, teaching thousands of students, instilling in them not only the skills of the game but also the values of sportsmanship, perseverance, and integrity. He actually taught three generations of families over the years at St. Joseph High School, Willoughby South, Magnificat, Gilmour, Mentor, Mayfield and Lake Erie College and at the following racquet and country clubs: Cleveland Racquet, Riverview, Mentor Heisley, River Run, Oakwood, Avon Oaks, Chagrin Valley, Mayfield Hts. Recreation Center and Pine Lake.

"Coach Joe" was named the USPTA Ohio Pro of the Year in 1980. Known for his dedication to the sport and his unwavering commitment to his students, Joe made a lasting impact on the tennis community.
Joe loved his wife, his church, his extended family, and most of all his children. Rest in peace Joe. He will be deeply missed.

Family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday May 7 at McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home, 6330 Center Street, Mentor, Ohio. To leave condolences for the family or to order flowers, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.