Gerard 'Jerry' Morelli
Age 80, raised in Jamaica Plain, MA, passed away on Saturday August 26, 2023 in the comfort of his home in Oak Bluffs, MA. Jerry (with a J) will be welcomed by the waiting embrace of his wife of 53 years, Marianne, youngest son Timothy and his parents Angelo and Mary. Jerry is the loving father of George Morelli (Easton, MA), Celia Gillis (Oak Bluffs, MA), Steven Morelli (Braintree, MA), Jerry Morelli (Williamsburg, VA) and Timothy Morelli. Jerry is survived by his brother Richard Morelli (Yarmouth).
A Boston College High School and Stonehill College graduate, Jerry devoted his life to his family and education. His vocation spanned six decades where he taught and coached countless students. After a July honeymoon car trip cross country Jerry began his career in Shelton, CT. However, after one year in CT, Jerry landed in Dedham, where he would spend 35 years between Dedham high school and Avery Elementary School. Upon retirement from teaching, Jerry returned to his alma mater BC High where he was an assistant vice principal and later Dean of Students and stayed there until his retirement in 2011. Jerry’s love of athletics, competition and team manifested itself in an extensive coaching career where he coached multiple sports at Dedham, Weymouth North, Curry College and BC High. Coaching basketball was his passion. Jerry is an inductee to three Hall of Fames; Dedham, BC High and the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches HoF. It was a source of pride but if it came up in conversation, almost assuredly not by him, he would tell you that he was very fortunate to have had great players and was even more proud of what they became after high school. Jerry emphasized hard work and team first, he did not measure success in wins or losses but competitive spirit, effort and willing the best out of his players (and students). Jerry valued the relationships with his players, brotherhood of coaches, (most referees) and school colleagues above all wins or accolades. As proud as he was of his teams, his true source of pride was his family. After retiring from BC High, Jerry moved to Oak Bluffs where he pursued a second love- rangering and starting at Farm Neck golf course. Many a day the course slowed down as Jerry would chat up anyone with a connection and there were many. He cherished the many friendships made on Martha’s Vineyard. During his illness and many visits to doctors, despite his diagnosis, there was one common refrain, “ I am so lucky to be blessed with my family…” Affectionately known as Grampy – he will be missed by his children-in-law who he loved as his own; Peter Gillis, Jill Morelli, Lynai Morelli and Carrie Morelli and his grandchildren: Peter, Marin, Mathew, James, Nicholas, Jordan and Evynn.
Funeral from the Hurley Currie Funeral Home, 127 So. Franklin St. (Rt. 37), Holbrook on Friday, September 1st at 9:45am followed by a funeral Mass at St. Joseph Church in Holbrook at 10:30am. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, August 31st from 4-8pm. Interment Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree. For online guestbook and directions, visit www.thehurleyfuneralhomes.com
Guestbook
First Name: Lorne and Lisa
Last Name: fairgrieve
City: Kelowna, B.C. Canada
State: MA
Country: Canada
Entry Date: 08/28/2023
Our thoughts and condolences are with the Morelli family. Our daughter, Lynai, is Steven's wife and Gerry's daughter-in-law. We are very thankful to the Morelli family, especially Gerry and Marianne for accepting Lynai into their family and treating her as their own. We miss Marianne and now will also miss Gerry when we visit. Will always think of him when I make a lemon pie.
First Name: Mike
Last Name: Hubbard
City: Braintree
State: MA
Country:
Entry Date: 08/29/2023
Our thoughts go out to the Morelli family. Such a great man, he meant a lot to so many of us. I'll always have great memories of my time playing for him - an outstanding coach and role model for his players. We are thinking of you from MN