Ed Morelli

Saverio (Ed) Anthony Morelli, age 89, passed away on 02/04/26 in Grosse Ile MI. He was the husband of Gloria Morelli, and they shared 51 years of marriage together. 

Born in Abruzzi, Italy, he was the son of Amedeo and Adalgisa Morelli. When he was 15 months old, he and his family left Italy to migrate to America via Ellis Island. He lived in the Bronx, New York, for 5 years and then moved to Ecorse Ml. While living in Ecorse, he was on the football and track team, and also was an oarsman on an elite rowing team where they won 5 medals at the Royal Canadian Henley. He continued his rowing career following High School, and while in the Army he was granted temporary leave to train on the Olympic rowing team.

During his military service, he was on the rifle team and football team. He was stationed at Fort Hood, Fort Campbell, and Fort Sam Houston, and was a paramedic.Following completion of his service in the military he attended Michigan Tech University and Michigan State University where he continued his football career. While in college he was initially a Forestry major; however, during this time period he was recruited by Ford Motor Company. During his career at Ford, he worked as an Industrial Relations Analyst, a Labor Relations Rep and Labor Relations Supervisor. He worked at the Engine Division, the Dearborn Specialty Foundry, the Dearborn Iron Foundry, the Michigan Casting Center, and Casting Division. It was while at Ford where he met his beautiful wife and love of his life, Gloria. They resided in Southgate, MI and had their son, Brian.

Ed was a family man, military veteran, elite rower and football player, hard worker, provider, and avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time outdoors in nature.He enjoyed being around water and after retiring he enjoyed several cruises with his wife and his sister and brother-in-law. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and being with family was the foundation of his life. In his later years, he was referred to as Papa, and loved playing with his little grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Gloria Morelli, his son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Karen Morelli, his two grandchildren, Mila and Luca Morelli, and his sister, Angela Macalello.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 8, 2026 from 2:00 - 8:00 at the Trenton Chapel of the Martenson Family of Funeral Homes, 3200 West Rd. Trenton, MI 48183. There will be an honor guard service at 6:30 pm provided by Downriver Veteran Honor Guard. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 10:00 am at Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Church. He will lie in state at 9:30 am. Ed will be laid to rest at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Cemetery.