John Patrick Morgans 71, of Tamaqua, went to eternal rest on Christmas morning surrounded by his family.  Born in Coaldale on March 16, 1946, he was the son of John and Catherine (Gallagher) Morgans. He was raised by his maternal Grandparents Daniel and Catherine Gallagher of Tamaqua.

He graduated from Tamaqua High School in 1964 and matriculated to Mansfield State College, graduating in 1968 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He was married to the former Gladys Whetstone in 1968, they would have celebrated their 50

^th

anniversary on Jan. 20.

He recently retired after 49 years of teaching at Marian Catholic High School.

During his time at Marian he served as an assistant football coach, and head b aseball and softball coach.

Also active in the community, he was a member of the Tamaqua Area Baseball Association and Tamaqua Area Slow Pitch Softball League. He also officiated as a PIAA basketball official and Softball Umpire for many years. He was also active in the Church by serving as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, and member of the Holy Name Society of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, currently Saint John XXIII. He also volunteered as an assistant Baseball coach at Tamaqua High School in the early 2000s.

An avid sports fan, especially when his beloved Yankees, Steelers, or Fighting Irish were on, he announced local high school sports games on the radio for WMGH/ WLSH and had previously reported local sports for The Times News. Since retiring he loved going to minor league baseball games with his great-grandsons, and watching them play in the Tamaqua Area Baseball Association. He spent several Saturdays attending Doo Wop shows and music conventions, meeting several of his favorite artists along the way. He always had a kind word for everyone and would make time to talk with former students whom he ran into while out and about.

 Service: Call 6-9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home and 10-11:30 Saturday.

 Mass of Christian burial noon Saturday, Dec. 30, at St John XXIII on Pine St in Tamaqua. Interment will be at St. Jerome’s Cemetery, Tamaqua. In lieu of flowers contributions in his name may be made to The Pat Morgans Memorial Scholarship Fund, 166 Marian Ave, Tamaqua, PA. 18252, or the Tamaqua Area Baseball Association PO Box 381 Tamaqua, PA or 986 Catawissa Rd, Tamaqua, PA. 18252.

See Thursday’s editions for full obituary.