Cecilio J. Morales Jr.

Morales

Cecilio J. Morales JR.

Cecilio J. Morales, Jr., former owner of MII Publications; editor and publisher of the nation's leading workforce development periodical, the Employment and Training Reporter; and a prolific blogger on religion, politics and personal growth, under what he called his "nom d'internet," Cecilieaux, died May 11, 2023, at the age of 70.

First drawn to journalism by the 1931 film The Front Page, Morales spent his entire career in specialized reporting and editing, starting with a stint as an editor and Washington correspondent for the London, England–based Latin American Political Report. He also wrote op-ed pieces for the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and other newspapers.

His one nonjournalism job was a four-year position as staff to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, during which he ghostwrote the national pastoral letter "The Hispanic Presence, Challenge, and Commitment: A Pastoral Letter on Hispanic Ministry," approved December 12, 1983.

Cecilio's lifelong quest and passion for understanding ancestry and identity demonstrated his love of family. Years of research, reconnecting with family members and reflection resulted in his publication of a family history titled Hart in the Mulberry Grove. Born in Manhattan to an Argentine family, having lived in various countries and having traced his family roots to the Canary Islands, Galicia, Italy, Mauritius and Brazil, on his last day he joked about being from "Venus."

Cecilio enjoyed understanding everything about software and playing video games; Civilization was his favorite. He also had a deep interest and encyclopedic knowledge of history, theology and political theory. In addition, his commitment to social justice and helping those less fortunate were guiding principles throughout his life.

He blogged at Let Mountains Hear - telling the story of the Christian faith; ¡Cecilieaux! - musings of a contrarian; and Desde Yanquilandia -- entre allá y acá. ("From Yankeeland -- between there and here.")

He is mourned by his devoted partner, Susan; his former wife, Lucy; his sons Luis (Diana Di Rico) and Curtis (Tatiana Brofft); grandsons Oscar and Luca Morales; and sister-in-law Margaret Scott. Services private.