Charles "Chuckie" Morell

Charles "Chuckie" Morell, 86, of Dunmore, Pa., passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family the night of Nov. 5, 2023.

He was born in Dunmore on March 22, 1937, the son of the late Frank and Mildred Perkins Morell. Chuckie attended Scranton Preparatory School for three years before transferring to Dunmore High School, to be at the same school as his future wife, Margaret "Peggy" Morell. He graduated from Dunmore High in 1954 and married Peggy on Aug. 30, 1958. This past August, they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

He was the owner and founder of Van Mor Plastering Co., Morell Realty Co. and Morell Construction. He was the purchasing agent for Lackawanna County from 1970-1982 and chairman of the board of the Lackawanna Housing Authority. He was also a three-time delegate to the Republican National Convention, meeting presidents Nixon, Ford and Reagan. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard 109th Infantry. He was also a past president of the Columbus Day Association of America, a member of the Freemasons, the Victor Alfieri Club and San Cataldo Club.

Chuckie lived his best days playing racquetball with his buddies at the Hank Evanish Athletic Club and the JCC. In his younger years, he also enjoyed Friday nights on the town with his friends. Chuckie enjoyed traveling, spending a lot of time in Puerto Rico. As a proud Italian, he fulfilled a dream of his to visit Calabria, where his family was from.

An avid New York Yankees fan, he enjoyed his numerous trips to Yankee Stadium with his friends, children, grandchildren and their friends as well. He loved to host his friends and loved ones with big parties, including his annual Christmas parties and Easter Wastella baking parties. He also enjoyed spending the holidays cooking and baking cookies for his family and friends.

Chuckie was a devoted Catholic, a member of SS. Anthony and Rocco Parish, attending St. Ann's every Monday and the Novena every summer.

He was a superhero to his family and, along with his wife, the greatest supporter of his children and grandchildren in all their educational and extracurricular endeavors. He loved to stay in touch with everyone as much as he could with daily phone calls and check-ins.

Chuckie is survived by his son, Frank; daughters, Karen and husband, Jim Dartt; Diane and husband, Mark Pegula; grandchildren, Jimi Dartt, Mark, Marina and Marlena Pegula. He was preceded in death by his brother, Anthony Morell; and granddaughter, Carissa Dartt.

The funeral will be held Tuesday with Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Dunmore.

A viewing will take place Tuesday, from 9 to 11 at the Morell-LaBelle Funeral Home, 301 Chestnut St., Dunmore.

Interment will be private at the Dunmore Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Ann's Basilica and Carissa Dartt Scholarship Fund.