Rev. Mr. José Antonio “Tony” Morales of Cherry Hill, NJ and formerly a long time resident of Bristol Township passed away on May 5, 2015 with his loving family by his side at Virtua Hospital, Voorhees. He was 83.

José was the loving and devoted husband of 60 years to Gloria Montero Morales.

Born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, he was a son of the late Gabriel and Ruperta Rodriguez Morales.

José spent the beginning of his life in Puerto Rico before moving to the United States in 1954. It was there that he met and married his wife Gloria and together they raised their family in Bristol Township. José worked as a Press Operator for many years for Art Kraft until his retirement and together he and Gloria moved to Florida where they spent about ten years before returning back to the northeast.

José was ordained as a Permanent Deacon for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1981 with the very first class of Hispanic Deacons. He served the majority of his tenure with St. Mark’s Church in Bristol. Dedicated to his faith and his family, he was devoted to working hard to provide a great life for his wife and children based on strong character and work ethic.

Above all else, José will be remembered for his strength of heart and spirit and for his boundless love of his family. His legacy of devotion to his faith and strong moral values will not soon be forgotten. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

In addition to his wife, José is survived by his children, Gloria “Betsy” Morales Evans and her husband, Carl, of Fairless Hills, José Morales and his wife, Alma, of Diamond Springs CA, Hector “Pete” Morales and his wife, Donna, of Burlington, NJ, Jorge Morales and his wife, Ginny, of Delran, NJ, Melissa Medina and her husband, Hector, of Burlington, NJ, Ivonne Rivera and her husband, Carlos, of Bristol, Deborah Mojica and her husband, Rick, of Bristol and Michael Morales and his partner, Tim, of New Hope. He also leaves behind 19 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; 8 siblings; and countless extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ramoń and Helo Morales.

Relatives and friends may greet the family on Monday May 11, 2015 from 9:30 AM until 11:15 AM at St Mark Church, 1025 Radcliffe St., Bristol, PA 19007 where his Funeral Mass will begin at 11:30 AM. His interment will follow in St. Mark Cemetery, Bristol.