Richard Morinelli

Richard Stephen Morinelli passed away at the age of 83 In Leesburg, FL. He was born to Joe and Nellie Kelley Morinelli January 1st 1942 in Omaha, Nebraska. He was the youngest of 5. Terry, Bonnie, Jerry, Joe, and Richard.
One of his earliest memories was moving from Omaha to Milwaukee, WI. He told this story of the family's first Christmas in Wisconsin where the snow storm was so bad, they couldn't go out and get a tree. So his father drew a tree on the wall in crayon, and decorated it with balloons he rubbed on his head and stuck to the tree with static electricity. He was raised in Milwaukee and spun many stories of his childhood there. He was an amazing story teller.
He attended Rufus King High School. There were stories of him and his siblings making and delivering pizzas for the family business. One example, drag racing with his new car while delivering pizzas. He got in a lot of trouble for that one.
He joined the Army soon after school. After the army, He worked a variety of many interesting jobs, including lifeguard, Underground construction, bus driver, train engineer, butcher, farmer, and factory worker.
Around the age of 22, he got the lucky break of meeting the love of his life, Judy Wieber. Little did he know this would change the trajectory of his life forever. Richard being the youngest of 5 would now marry Judy, the eldest of 12! His family circle would increase significantly! Rich and Judy would end up celebrating 61 years together after the date of their marriage, June 27th, 1964. They would have 4 children, Tim, Jim, Kym, and Connie. He would leave the bustling metropolis of Milwaukee and Move to very rural, open farming area of Abrams, Wisconsin. (Straight out of the TV show Green Acres) The slick skinny city boy of many occupations would settle down and get his longest attended job at Procter and Gamble in Green Bay.
He had many hobbies and interests throughout his life. And when he latched on to something, he went all in. There was no "dipping your toe in to try it out". Some of his "do it like you mean it" endeavors were:
Fixing up the farm: He had NO clue how to do it but wasn't afraid to try it until it worked. Including putting in new windows. First upside down, then right side up. Also, building a wall inside the house out of flat rock. Later having to reinforce it from the basement.
Farming: We had cows, chickens, rabbits. All of which were fed, cared for, and maintained as pets. and then food.
Tie Dye T-shirts. The whole family was in the garage dying t-shirts in buckets different colors and designs.
Pipes: He quit smoking cigarettes cold turkey but took up pipe smoking. So of course he had a myriad of pipes including a Marshawn pipe collection.
Golf: He had very expensive custom left handed clubs, a golf cart he personally designed and pimped out to drive in the local parade. Sponsored and played on a golf team/ league.
Wood working/ crafting: He hand made giant wooden and plexiglass cribbage boards for family and friends. He designed hundreds wooden knick knacks that family and friends still have. He hand made and designed "one of a kind" high end pens. yes writing pens.
Fishing: He loved fishing with his best friend and brother, Jerry. They got a boat and all the gear you could get of course. Lures, poles, motors, designer vests, you know swag..
He and Judy made sure his kids got through school, while providing a creative, crazy, stable place they could call home. Thanksgivings were a family gathering. Birthdays were celebrated. Summers were enjoyed. But Christmases were his favorite holiday. There were too many presents under the tree we cut down as a family. There was always too much food. And The house was always overly decorated. One time it made the local news!
The last 30 or so years of his life, he and Judy moved to Florida. He transferred to a Procter and Gamble Orange juice plant in Frostproof, FL. Yes. look it up. The plant was bought out, but he stayed at that plant until he retired at 62.
His retirement didn't mean he stopped. He built a wood shop in his back yard where he created, designed, cut, and built singly unique items. Just like himself.
He is survived by his wife Judy, his sister Bonnie, his children Tim, Jim, Kym, and Connie, and his grandchildren James, Crystal, Tyler, Mitchell, Samantha, Sabrina, Monika, and Emily. And Great Grand Son Bentley. And Great Grand Daughter on the way. Charlotte.
Richard showed his family and friends that if you give it your all and not give up, you can accomplish anything. He was an inspiration, and it was a gift to know him. Rest in Peace.
We all know He's having a blast riding his pimped out golf cart (with Christmas lights) to the lake to drink beers and fish with Jerry and Freddie!
Arrangements entrusted with BALDWIN BROTHERS Funeral & Cremation Society-Spanish Springs, 352-430-1449. Sentiments are encouraged at www.baldwincremation.com.