originally posted on 8/28/2024
Photo: Courtesy The Morey Organization. View full-sized image.
Tributes have poured in from across the amusement universe for Jack Morey, who died July 19, 2024, at age 63 after a prolonged illness.
Mr. Morey, along with his older brother, Will Morey, were second-generation owners and operators of Morey’s Piers, the world-famous collection of amusement piers on the boardwalk in Wildwood, New Jersey. Officially, his title was executive vice president and chief operating officer; practically and familiarly, he was the guy with all the neat-o ideas.
The Morey organization also manages hotels, resort communities and entertainment facilities in the Wildwood area. The Morey brothers inherited the family business from their father and uncle, pioneers of mid-century development in the Wildwoods, and had operated the piers since acquiring complete ownership from other family members in the early 2000s. The synergy between Jack and Will was perfect: Will is the sensible executive, while Jack had the gift of wonder. As he often noted, it was Jack Morey’s job to dream up amazing ideas, and it was Will Morey’s job to tell him why they couldn’t be done. Luckily for everyone, Jack often prevailed.
The challenge of finding the right place for Morey’s Piers in the spectrum that runs from theme parks to traditional seaside amusements could not have landed on a more creative soul than Jack Morey. He steered the piers through an identity crisis and generated for them a unique, sparkling motif while maintaining an open, ungated environment necessary for a vacation destination. His vision extended beyond the boardwalk and piers, defining today’s “look” of Wildwood in both business endeavors (the famous transformation of the old Wingate Motor Lodge into the Starlux Hotel Resort) and public spaces. His ideas materialized into the giant “Wildwood” sign and Rio Grande Avenue gateway onto the island, the Wildwood Dog Park and Beach anchored by a giant fire hydrant fashioned from a retired spiral slide attraction and the Byrne Plaza public entertainment space in downtown Wildwood.
As founder and first president of the nonprofit Doo-Wop Preservation League, which later produced the Doo Wop Museum and Neon Garden, Jack’s commitment to the island’s cultivating its architectural roots and becoming a showplace for colorful midcentury fabulousness spread to the simplest settings, from drugstores and gas stations to fast food outlets and bank branches. On the boardwalk, the colorful visual energy of the piers naturally spread to other businesses, encouraging arcades, food stands and even the tackiest shirt shops to dress it up. Never to suggest fault in tackiness, however, plastic palm trees and bright concrete beach balls became standard Wildwood street décor, while rehabbed Airstream trailers became preferred accommodations. Every one of these expressions of Wildwood style stems from Jack Morey’s inspiration. An outrageous sense of showmanship led to events such as a human cannonball headlining the launch party for a history book on Morey’s Piers in 2009 and a midwinter farewell event to kick off the demolition of the beloved but unsalvageable Golden Nugget Mine Ride, earlier the same year.
Jack Morey sought ideas, directly and sincerely, from members of ACE. From the first Coastin’ by the Ocean event in 2007, ACEers’ thoughts were solicited on concepts that eventually became the Ghost Ship walkthrough attraction (2010), for which Jack scripted the extensive backstory; KONG (2015), a flying scooter ride atop a gift shop, which gave throwback tribute to a long-missed Morey’s attraction from the 1970s; and the highly customized Zierer Runaway Tram coaster (2019). ACE folk would like to think Morey’s Piers’ co-hosting of Coaster Con XXXVIII in 2015 was one of his favorite adventures; it’s known he found great enjoyment forwarding ideas for the event and serving as keynote speaker, with his brother, Will, at the annual banquet.
Jack was dedicated to charities supporting young people with type-1 diabetes, which included himself since childhood. He was genuinely interested in the ideas and experiences of others; one might expect this from a man who would often meet people and begin conversations with “what do you love?” He always wanted to know the answer. It was easy to see what Jack loved: fun, beauty, creativity and people. Those he loved most were his wife, Karen; his sons, Zack (Morgan) and Jordan (Alyssa); grandchildren, Jack, Miller and Nora; his brother Will (Janice) and family; and of course, his dogs. He will be missed and fondly remembered always.
— Mark Davidson, ACE New Jersey Assistant Regional Representative
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