Albert J. Morel, Jr.

Albert J. Morel, Jr., 90, son of the late Albert J. Morel, Sr. and Jennie Morel Thomson (nee Malestein), passed away peacefully on Friday, May 9, 2025 surrounded by his loving wife and children. A lifelong resident of Midland Park, Al graduated from Pompton Lakes High School and was a U.S. Army veteran. After returning from the service he began dating and then married the love of his life, Ruth Ann Morel (nee L’Armee). They shared 67 wonderful years together.  

Al loved baseball. He was an avid Yankee fan, played in the Army, with the Midland Park Rangers semi-pro team afterward, and later played softball with The Brewers Athletic Club, a group of guys from work that were his lifelong friends. He worked as a lineman for Public Service Electric his entire career because he loved working outdoors. Al was very community-minded and was quick to volunteer time to help whenever needed. He dedicated time to leading scout troops, managing ball teams, and ushering and taking care of any projects that needed doing at the Church of the Good Shepherd and later, Trinity Episcopal. 

Al’s enjoyment of the outdoors was prevalent in his spare time as well. He always made time to keep a large vegetable garden and loved to share the spoils with family and neighbors. He especially relished putting on his waders, grabbing his fly rod, and fishing in a trout stream. He looked forward to annual family vacation camping trips travelling throughout New England and cross country to the big National Parks in the West. Al always worked hard to stay in good shape, was noted for his firm handshake, and was a regular at the Ridgewood YMCA gym throughout his retirement years, usually two hours a day, five days a week.

For Al and Ruth, family was their passion. They were always happiest hosting holiday parties and inviting all their extended family. They were devoted parents and their commitment to family continued with the younger generations. One of Al’s greatest joys was holding his grand and great-grandkids as babies. Al and Ruth could always be found swelling with pride while in attendance at games, performances, and any other events that their grandkids and great-granddaughters were participating in.

Al was predeceased by his brothers Charles and James, his brother-in-law Max Speizer, and his great-granddaughter Catharine. He is survived by his sister, Doris Sless and husband Gary, sisters-in-law Joyce Morel (nee Van Kampen) and Donna Speizer (nee L’Armee), his children, Stewart and wife Tammy, Doug and wife Cindy, and Kristen and her husband Gerald, his grandchildren Corey and husband Francis, Chip and wife Tia, Erica and husband Pete, Ryan, Rebecca, Brian and fiancé Julia, Chelsea, Abigail, and Anna, and great-granddaughters Illyana, Lexie, Ruthie, Josie, and Millie.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 15th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home,  www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ. 

A Funeral Service will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Friday, May 16th, at Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 55 George Street in Allendale, New Jersey.  

Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park, located at 234 Paramus Rd, in Paramus, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to:

Trinity Episcopal Church         or        Oligo Nation

55 George St.                                      www.oligonation.org

Allendale, NJ  07401

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