Wilfredo Morales' Obituary
Wilfredo "Fred" Morales, age 58, of Lorain, passed away surrounded by his family on Friday, September 2, 2011 at the Cleveland Clinic following a lengthy illness.
He was born on December 5, 1952 in Cayey, Puerto Rico. He moved to Spanish Harlem, New York as a baby and to Lorain, Ohio at the start of High School.
Wilfredo was a 1971 graduate of Southview High School. He enlisted with the United States Air Force in 1975 and was honorably discharged in 1977. He continued his education at Cleveland State University earning a Bachelor Degree in Chemical Engineering, a Masters Degree from the University of Toledo and a PHD from Cleveland State University.
He was employed by NASA as a Chemical Engineer for 33 years. He took great pride in his profession and was extremely dedicated to his research in the field of space exploration. He wrote many articles for numerous publications and obtained patents for his research. He was also the recipient of the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement award in 2006 for outstanding technical achievement.
Wilfredo was a very special man and was always there to help anyone in need. He enjoyed spending his free time reading, listening to music, watching movies and jogging. He was also a black belt in Judo. His most treasured time was the time he spent with his family, especially his grandchildren who referred to him as "Pa". He was an amazing husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Iris (nee Gonzalez); son, Wilfredo (Susan) Morales Jr., of Morrow, Ohio; daughter, Julie (Gary) Fisher, of Mount Vernon, Ohio; grandchildren, Gage and Lainey Reynolds, Conner, Niko and Logan Morales; mother, Aida Gonzalez; sisters, Elizabeth Martinez, of Amherst and Evelyn Silva, of Elyria.
He was preceded in death by his fathers, Antonio Gonzalez and Andres Morales.
The Morales family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Rd., Amherst. Closing prayers will be said on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 8:45 a.m. in the funeral center followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Chapel, 4301 Pearl Ave., Lorain. Rev. Fr. William Thaden,Pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.
Online condolences may be left for the Morales family at www.dovinreberjones.com
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