Obituary of Charles J Morris

Charles James Morris. 

Born Charles James Magliore to Nicolas Magliore and Charlotte E. Morris November 17, 1953 in Norristown, Pa. Legally adopted at age three by Charlotte’s parents, Charles H. and Elizabeth P. Morris who forever became Mom and Dad. 

At age 15 he joined a karate school in Lansdale and found Patrick Byrnes who became his instructor and lifelong mentor. Patrick changed his life. The years spent in the martial arts would mold and prepare him both physically and mentally till his death. Patrick became his third father and a true lifelong friend. 

A graduate of North Penn High School in Lansdale, Pa., he attended Montgomery County Community College, and later in life graduated from Pennco Tech in Blackwood, NJ in the field of marine diesel mechanics. 

 Charlie found a true passion for adventure, risk taking and the outdoors as an avid fisherman, golfer, shooter, ship captain, and marine mechanic. Those instructor titles he earned included martial arts, advanced first aid, CPR, scuba diving, marine navigation and seamanship. 

Charlie proudly retired from the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary after 15 years of service. 

Charlie and a good friend Joel Segal opened a gun and sporting goods store in Malvern PA. A few years later Charlie was offered a position with First Pennsylvania Bank. After 16 years Charlie decided to start a new career. Enrolling full time at Pennco Technical School, he studied marine diesel mechanics, graduated with honors and was hired into the marine industry. It was during those 8 years of repairing boats that he began his studies to achieve his professional captain’s license.  

Charlie continued his studies and worked nights and weekends as engineer, crew and co-captain to accumulate the hours and experience necessary to test for and achieve his masters license. 

It was then that he changed direction once again and created American Boat Captains, LLC., a professional marine business specializing in yacht deliveries and on board boater training. As the business grew, he created and built a subsidiary know as American Marine Supply. As both facets of the Corporation continued to grow and prosper, on August 17, 2011, his friend and family doctor called to deliver the news. Being diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer which had metastasized to his liver and lungs, he was given a year or two to live. Through his faith, courage, strength and determination, and with the unwavering support of his wife, Brenda, Charlie went on to live almost 12 more years. 

Once again, his future would change direction and beating the disease was now his new objective. On May 10th 2023 he walked into the hands of the Lord and it would not be the cancer that took his life but a complication from a surgery.  

A note from Charlie to all his friends and family:

For the past 36 years, I have been married to the absolute love of my life, Brenda Susan Fiorillo. We met on August 17, 1985 and were married exactly 3 months later. We have together been our own yin and yang. Brenda being more conservative and less of a risk taker and me being more spontaneous and adventurous. It worked incredibly well. We laughed every day and truly grew to love each other more with each passing year. “I will miss you Bren, I will miss you most of all. Do not be upset at the Lord’s decision to bring me home. Know that I will try to be with you whenever you need me.”

I believe I grew up in the best times in America. Morals, ethics and truth were clearly defined. My life has been a constant adventure. One with regrets and periods of poor judgement yet if I had the opportunity, I would re-live them again if only to change the outcome. My life has been filled with challenges, successes, failures and more friends, laughter and love than one can imagine. I have been incredibly fortunate and for a reason beyond my understanding, blessed by God.

I am leaving behind a wife I adore and the true love of my life, many close loving cousins, my second families here and in Italy and many dearly loved friends. I remind you all that at some point in time, should you for no apparent reason smell a bit of cigar smoke or a whiff of a familiar aftershave, make no mistake, it is just me stopping by to kiss you on the cheek and to give you a hug. I’m okay. I just want you to know I love you.

Every day is truly a new adventure. Whatever awaits around the corner is worth searching for. Please pray for the youngest among you and ask our Father in Heaven to send a child who will one day find a cure for all cancer.

Farewell, do well, be kind and be generous. Pray for others first and give thanks to God for everything and everyone in your life. Never give up but always remember, it is God’s will that keeps you and only His will that wakes you in the morning. Life is not about you, it’s about all those whose lives you have the chance opportunities to touch.

With all my love, hundreds of hugs and thousands of kisses. You are the best! Thank you for being who you are. 

Charles James Morris