Nick Morich “Fatty”
Nick ‘Fatty’ Morich, 89, one of the last of the old families of Crescent Heights (Daisytown) passed away Sunday, September 11, 2016 in Mon Valley Hospital.
Nick was born on November 7, 1926 in Crucible, Pa., the youngest son of the late Vincent and Margaret (Turkovich) Morich and stepfather, Rudy Biellich.
He lived in Crescent Heights from early childhood until his death.
Mr. Morich was an infantryman in the U.S. Army during WWII, where he earned Good Conduct and Army Occupation medals (Japan) and Asiatic Theater and WWII Victory Ribbons. He could vividly recall his exploits in Florida, California, the Philippines and Japan during 1945-1946. He served with the Service Battalion, G. H, Q., Armored Services, and West Pacific Theatre of Operations.
Before his enlistment in the Army, he worked at Corning in Charleroi.
After the war, he worked in several coal mines. He then landed a job at Lee-Norse Co. in the 1960’s where he worked until his retirement in 1988.
He loved to dance and was a regular at every dance hall in the Mon Valley.
It was at Packralls that he met Bessie Rygle of Pitt Gas, whom he married in 1950.
Nick was an accomplished harmonica player and vocalist who also loved dancing, playing cards, and gardening.
He also enjoyed going to the Daisytown Athletic Club, the Hungarian Club and Richeyville Miners Club. He played and sang with the band at the Center in the Woods and for anyone who stopped by to visit.
Mr. Morich was a member of the former St. Mary’s R.C. Church in Daisytown for many years before it closed.
Surviving is a daughter, Hilaria ‘Rhea’ and her husband Mel Alper of Albuquerque, N.M.; a son Nick and his wife Janet Hollick Morich of California, Pa., who were his primary caregivers during his last few years; granddaughter Anna Morich of California, Pa. and grandson Nolan Morich of Daisytown, Pa., grandson Matthew Morich and his wife Chelsea Gillen Morich and great-grandson Nola Morich of Daisytown, Pa.; brother-in-law, Charles ‘Cuddles’ Rygle and his wife Dolores of Cleveland, Ohio; sisters-in-law, Mildred, and Grace Rygle of South Carolina, as well as 23 nieces and nephews.
Deceased, in addition to his wife and parents, are an infant daughter Margaret, sisters: Rose Peterson, Helen Harenchar and Mary (Holly) Bontempi, brothers: Frank, Paul, George and several siblings who perished during the flu epidemic of the early 20th Century.
The family of Nick Morich will miss his music and his vibrant personality, He would want all who knew him to listen to your favorite song today.
Friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m. in the JOHN B. GREENLEE FUNERAL HOME 2830 Main St. Beallsville, Pa where Prayers will be said Friday, September 16, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in St. Agnes R.C. Church Richeyville with Rev. Paul Grunebach as Celebrant.
Interment will follow in Lafayette Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Center in the Woods, 130Woodland Court, Brownsville, PA 15417.
Online guestbook and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneral Home.com.