Editor,
I am writing this letter to express my feelings about a giant human being, a man who did so much for local communities, so much for the ones who had the opportunity to know him. Today he lives at a beautiful care center in Los Banos. My wife and I had the honor to attend his 98th birthday party. We found him just as sharp as 20 years ago. He has the complexion and spirit of a proud young man. He walks with the aid of a walker, but to me he seems like he doesn’t need it.
You are probably going to ask, where can you find a man of that age with all of those great qualities? I am not embarrassed to tell you who he is, I am sure that everyone who know him, and reads this letter will agree with me. This great man is Monsignor Thomas Morgan. Usually we wait to tell our feelings about someone until after they pass away. I feel he deserves to know how everyone feels about him. A remarkable human being, the kind of person you don’t get tired of being around. For many years he was our priest and neighbor. He was always considered part of the family. “A nossa casa era a sua casa” – this means, our house is his house! His good heart made a huge impression on our whole family. Even the youngest children in our family spark up when we speak about Monsignor Morgan. His magnetic personality attracts everyone. He has a sense of humor, his smile, his great disposition, his holiness, makes me think that with all these qualities, he could have been the pope. I compare his personality with that of Pope John Paul II.
Monsignor Morgan’s birthday party was planned to be a surprise. There were about 40 of us in the room when they brought him in. He is a pro, seems like he was prepared, ready to enjoy the people welcoming him. He lit up when everyone sang him “Happy birthday.” His presence in the room was like a strong light.
One time after one of our many talks about my then 85 year old mother, Monsignor Morgan went on vacation more than 6,000 miles away, and went out of his way to visit with my mother for me. He stayed with my family for over a week. For this, I would like to thank him. It meant so much to my mother and to me! Thank you for all the good you have given to our family! You have been a joy to all of us!
People of San Benito County, don’t forget to send him a card or give him a phone call. I believe that all the years he lived in this county, all the friends he has made, even with the life he now enjoys, his heart will always be in San Benito County.
Amadeu and Mary Lima, Hollister
