In Memory of Richard David Morel, Sr.

Richard David Morel, Sr.

January 19, 1927 - June 19, 2010

Richard David Morel, Sr., age 83, of Lewes Delaware passed away on Saturday, June 19, 2010, at Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC. The Morel family resided in Wellesley, MA from 1960 to 2003.

Mr. Morel is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years Lucia Santangelo Morel; three children: Laura Napoleone of East Sandwich, MA, Dana Maxwell of Dover, MA, and Richard Morel, Jr. of Takoma Park, MD. He was also cherished by his four grandchildren.

A 1944 graduate of Hudson High School, Morel also graduated from St. Michael's Grammar School and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II having served in the Pacific theatre. He interrupted his college career at age 18 to join the Navy, after having been refused permission by his father to join when he was 17.

When he graduated from MIT in 1949, he received a degree in mechanical engineering, planning to get a job designing cars with General Motors or Ford. However, in the summer following graduation, a friend's father got him a summer job working in New Jersey to install the first natural gas pipeline into the New York City area. Mr. Morel turned that summer job into a long career with Algonquin Gas Transmission Company climbing the ladder from summer construction worker to retirement as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. He was at the center of some of the most significant developments in the natural gas industry in the northeast region.

More recently, during these hard economic times, Richard Morel never missed a week of bringing cartons of food to his local food pantry in Mashpee. He would ask them what they needed, buy large quantities at BJ's, and then deliver the food. He lived every minute of life to it's fullest, he was a huge positive force to his family, friends, and community and he will be very missed.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 2:00 PM at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE. Friends may call at the funeral home beginning at 1:00 PM. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Mashpee Food Pantry, Mashpee Village, 1 Wampanoag Drive, Mashpee, MA 02649.

Sign online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.