Joseph Morse

To many people in Valencia County and Albuquerque who knew Joseph Morse, he was known simply as "The Ragman."

On June 16, 2025, Elohiim called Joseph home as he passed away in his sleep, surrounded by his family in his Belen home a month before his 71st birthday.

Joe ran "The Ragman" business for 38 years alongside his beloved wife, Gloria. The short, stocky man (he was generously listed at 5 foot) was known for his coveralls, his donegal "peddler" hat and his toothy smile. Joseph was generous with his time and advice while also selling shop towels and tools. He was never afraid to get under the hood of a vehicle with a mechanic, grab food for his clients or lend an ear to a friend in need.

With a nose for entrepreneurship, Joseph operated three businesses during his lifetime - an Italian Ice bicycle stand, Agape Enterprises courier service and "The Ragman."

Joseph had deep and abiding relationship with Elohim . He was a cantor at Adat Yeshua and Olive Tree Synagogues over a 15-year period and led the Kehila B'Midbar Fellowship for five years. He called himself the "Cowboy Cantor" with business cards that read, 'Have Torah, Will Travel."

Born on July 16, 1954, to Charles and Sophia Morse, Joseph grew up in the Boston area and graduated from Brockton High School in 1972. He was known as an avid traveler, known to spend weeks on the road hitchhiking and visiting every state except for Hawaii and Alaska. He fell in love with New Mexico and set his roots in the Albuquerque area in 1978.

Joe loved to say he never made it to Hawaii because "I can't walk on water," and Alaska because "the mosquitoes are too big."

Joe graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in geography and natural history in 1981. He met Gloria (Barron) in 1983 and married on Sept. 8, 1984. He helped raise her children, James Barron and Victoria Moore, and together had three daughters - Rachel (Perez), Rebecca (Goldstein) and Tryphena (Arbach).

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents and sister Harriet Jane Morse. He is survived by his wife and children, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; as well as brothers Dennis Wade Morse and Henry Mitchell Morse.

A graveside service will be held at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery on Monday, June 23, 2025 at 11:00 am.