Jack Morey, "beloved" 2nd-generation partner of Morey's Piers in Wildwood, dies
WILDWOOD, N.J. (CBS) -- Morey's Piers and Water Parks in Wildwood, New Jersey, announced that second-generation partner Jack Morey has died.
In a press release, the company said Morey was "beloved" and the "creative force" behind the popular Morey's Piers beach attractions for the last 30 years.
"Jack was long fascinated with people, design, and public spaces from all around the world, and spent his life and career working to bring his incredible and innate creativity to life," the statement said. "If you've visited Wildwood, you've been touched by Jack's vision."
Morey, born in 1960, served as the company's executive vice president and chief creative officer, which has been family-owned and operated since 1969.
Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. said Morey transcended the idea of a one-of-a-kind person.
"Jack was so driven to be different in a quirky sort of a way," Troiano said. "He made it a point that if you're going to do it, do it the best you can do it."
Morey died from Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a rare form of blood cancer.
Business leaders remember Morey
Dave Roach, the owner of Laura's Fudge, knew Morey for several years.
"He could see the future, like he knew what the people wanted here," Roach said. "He would come by on his skateboard, stop in, hang out for a little while, throw some ideas around and off he'd go, down the street on his skateboard."
Morey saw the future by taking inspiration from the past.
John Donio is president of the Doo Wop Preservation League, which Morey founded.
He said Morey had a passion for preserving the island's iconic mid-century motels and neon signs.
"Not only did he have that creative vision for the island, but he also had a way to really talk to you on a personal level," Donio said. "Jack cared."
Morey cared so much that he made it a point to make Donio's nephew's birthday memorable.
"Jack comes out with a pizza for [my nephew] Matthew's birthday with curly fries as the crust," Donio said. "That was the first time they ever did that, and Matthew got such a great kick out of it, and it really made a little boy's birthday super special."
As people drive down the streets of Wildwood, Donio urges them to pause for a moment.
"When you drive up and down the island and you see that neon, and you see those cool palm trees, just think of Jack," Donio said. "He's the one that really brought this back for Wildwood."
According to Morey's Piers, Jack Morey is survived by his wife of 36 years, Karen, two children and three grandchildren.
"Jack's perspective and passion are inspirations that, while irreplaceable, we will strive to follow as we continue with his personal quest to make Morey's Piers the 'Greatest Seaside Park in the World,'" the company said.
In 2019, Morey's Piers was named the Park of the Year by Amusement Today magazine, chosen for "50 years of innovation and creative success and for taking the lead in bringing big rides to vacationing families along the Jersey Shore."
More recently, Wildwood landed the top spot on USA Today's 10 best beaches in New Jersey list in May 2024.
