David Jon Morgan Jr.

David Jon Morgan, Jr.

With immeasurable sadness and profound love, we announce the passing of David Jon Morgan, Jr., who died unexpectedly at his home on July 25, 2026. He was 54.

Dave was a devoted husband, extraordinary father, beloved son, brother, uncle, coach, mentor, teammate, and friend whose generosity, humor, and kindness touched countless lives. While many knew him as an exceptional athlete whose accomplishments earned statewide and national recognition, those who knew him best understood that his greatest gift was the way he made people feel. Dave had an extraordinary ability to make everyone feel welcome, valued, and capable of more than they believed possible. He celebrated the successes of others more enthusiastically than his own, quietly helped anyone in need, and never sought recognition for the countless acts of kindness that defined his life.

Born on November 19, 1971, in Newton, Massachusetts, and raised in Needham, Dave was the cherished son of Colleen Carter Morgan and David Jon Morgan, Sr. He was predeceased by both of his parents and by his beloved sister, Stephanie Alford Mixon.

From an early age, Dave distinguished himself through an extraordinary combination of athletic ability, intelligence, humility, and leadership. He spent many summers at the Needham Pool and Racquet Club where he was a championship swimmer and a lifeguard. At The Roxbury Latin School, he became one of the school's most accomplished student-athletes, serving as captain of the football, basketball, and baseball teams. His exceptional achievements earned recognition from both the Independent School League (ISL) and The Boston Globe. During his senior year (1989–1990), Dave was named ISL Player of the Year in football, basketball, and baseball, becoming the only male athlete in league history to earn that distinction in all three sports during the same academic year. He also received The Boston Globe All-Scholastic honors in football, basketball, and baseball, a rare accomplishment that reflected not only his exceptional athletic talent, but also the discipline, character, sportsmanship, and leadership that defined him both on and off the field.

Dave continued his athletic career at Harvard University, where he played both football and baseball. While contributing on the football field as a quarterback and punter, it was on the baseball diamond that he became one of Harvard’s finest players. As a powerful first baseman, he was named the 1993 Ivy League Player of the Year and was the unanimous selection to the inaugural All-Ivy First Team. His memorable performances in the Beanpot Tournament at Fenway Park, including towering home runs over the Green Monster, became part of Harvard baseball lore.

In 1993, Dave fulfilled a lifelong dream when he was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 18th round of the Major League Baseball Draft following his junior season at Harvard. During a six-year professional baseball career, Dave was a catcher and he played throughout the Blue Jays organization with Medicine Hat, Hagerstown, Dunedin, and Knoxville, reaching the Double-A level. Although professional baseball eventually gave way to a new career, his love for the game never faded. It simply found a new purpose through coaching and mentoring young athletes. He remained humble about his athletic achievements and was always more interested in encouraging others than speaking about himself.

Following baseball, Dave enjoyed a successful career in the mortgage industry, including sixteen years with his wonderful team at Fairway Independent Mortgage. He became much more than a mortgage professional. He was a trusted advisor, a calming presence, and a genuine friend to hundreds of families navigating one of life’s most significant milestones. Helping people never felt like work to Dave—it was simply who he was.

If athletics shaped Dave’s early years, fatherhood and coaching defined the rest of his life.

Dave found immense joy in giving back to the sports that had given him so much. He coached football and baseball at Roxbury Latin and later volunteered throughout the Cohasset community where he was the President of the Cohasset Youth Baseball and Softball Association, in addition to coaching soccer, basketball, softball, and wherever else a team needed someone willing to invest in young people.

Above every athletic accomplishment, every championship, every award, and every professional success stood the role he treasured most: Dad. Nothing in Dave’s life compared to his love for his daughter, Elizabeth “Libby” Carter Morgan.

Dave was devoted to Libby, enormously proud of her, and present for every moment in her life. He was her greatest supporter, teacher, protector, coach and biggest fan. Whether traveling to tournaments, talking sports, or simply spending time together, Dave treasured every moment with Libby. She was his greatest joy, his proudest accomplishment, and the very best part of his life. He never missed anything that involved Libby and was always on the sidelines cheering at every single volleyball, basketball and softball game.

He was a constant presence at her South Shore Patriots U-14 softball games and although he never held an official coaching title, he was always part of the team, helping wherever needed, providing encouragement, supporting the coaches and families, and celebrating every girl’s success. He became especially well known for faithfully and expertly keeping GameChanger during softball games, earning the nickname “DaveChanger.”

Dave generously shared his knowledge and love of sports with coaches and young athletes throughout the community. He understood that coaching was about far more than winning. It was about building confidence, teaching resilience, showing up for others, and helping young people recognize what they were capable of becoming. He was the best Girl Dad ever and Libby’s friends, teammates and their parents adored him.

Dave also enjoyed golf, especially the time he spent as a member at Hatherly Country Club. Although a passionate golfer, he cherished the game not just for the scorecard and competition, but for the camaraderie, conversation and time with friends. Dave brought his easy humor, warmth and competitive spirit to every tee box. He was a joy to play with and always made the day more fun for everyone.

Dave is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Pamela (Ehrstein) Morgan. Dave and his wife Pam met 28 years ago during baseball’s off-season and they built a life grounded in love, laughter, friendship and an unwavering dedication to raising Libby, the greatest joy of their lives. She will remain forever grateful for the years they shared, for the father he was to Libby, and to the countless ways his love shaped her life. He will be loved, remembered, and missed beyond measure.

He is also survived by his beloved nephew, Jacob Matthew Mixon whom Dave loved like a son and proudly helped guide throughout his life in addition to Jacob’s partner, Lily Parker. his brother, William Carter Mixon and his wife, Cindy and their children, William Alan, Jessica Quin, and Madeline Quin; his mother-in-law, Viola Lundberg of Hingham; his stepfather, Richard Roberts of Barnstable; his sisters-in-law, Tammy Downes and her husband, Matthew, Greta Ehrstein, Heidi Wolfe and her husband, Neal, and Lorri Mayer; his stepsisters, Kristi Ruggiero and her husband, Chip, Deann Henry and her husband, Jack; his stepbrother, Steven Roberts and his wife, Heather and all of their children; his niece Kristina Geary and her partner Chris Galinauskas and their children Christopher and Breanna, nieces Michelle Boretti and Maggie Mayer Ehrstein; and many cherished cousins.

Dave was also an extraordinary friend. He was loyal, kind, humble, funny and genuinely interested in the lives of others. He had countless friends from Needham, Roxbury Latin, Harvard University, the Toronto Blue Jays organization, Hatherly Country Club, the South Shore Patriots Softball Team, Fairway Independent Mortgage and so many in the industry, the Dorchester crew, and the amazing Cohasset community, to name just a few. The extraordinary outpouring of love following Dave’s passing has been a testament to the life he lived. His greatest legacy is not found in newspaper headlines, athletic records, or professional accomplishments. It lives in the people he coached, the families he helped, the friendships he nurtured, and the countless lives he made better simply by being part of them. He had an uncommon gift for making every person feel important, heard, and valued. That is how he will be remembered.

Dave also absolutely loved Emmett, the family dog and enjoyed their daily walks.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, 1 Summer Street, Cohasset.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Dave’s life will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 2 Summer Street, Cohasset, followed by interment at Beechwood Cemetery, Cohasset.

Following the burial, family and friends are warmly invited to gather at Hatherly Country Club, 663 Hatherly Road, Scituate to share stories, laughter, and memories of a man who brought so much joy to so many.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Libby’s college fund by visiting https://gofund.me/cfacd0148 and to the David J. Morgan, Jr. Scholarship Fund by visiting https://gofund.me/ba595b134.

The family asks that you please keep Libby in your prayers.