Vincent Moragues, Jr.

Vincent Moragues, Jr.

January 23, 1944 – February 5, 2019

Vincent Moragues Jr., 75, died on February 5, 2019 at Hillcrest Country Estates Cottages in Papillion, Nebraska where he had been a resident for three years.  He was born in St. Louis, Missouri on January 23, 1944 to Margaret (Erbacher) and Vincent Moragues, Sr.

He was preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by his wife, Donna; former wife, Kay Green (Walt); sons, Bob Moragues (Karin Stein) and Dave Moragues (Julie); stepdaughter, Jessica Goldoni (Brett Lesac); grandchildren: Anthony, Richard, and Joshua; siblings: Mary Lenherr (Larry), John Moragues (Dena), Marge Riddle (Billy), Tom Moragues (Judy), Paul Moragues, and Jim Moragues (Kathy); many nieces and nephews; Uncle Bob Stockman; many Erbacher cousins and many other loving family and friends.

Vince’s first marriage was to Kay Matreci, with whom he had his two sons, Bob and Dave. He later was married to Donna Goldoni (née Beaton) with whom he helped raise his stepdaughter, Jessica.

Vince attended Creighton Prep and Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and received his BS in Education and Masters in Education. He taught biology and math for 30 years in School District 66, Omaha, including Westbrook Junior High and Westside Middle School.  During his teaching career, he introduced computers to the District 66 curriculum and coached a programming team that won a few contests against older senior high students.  Vince took his students on yearly eagle watching trips to Squaw Creek Wildlife Refuge in Missouri.  Because of his love of the outdoors, after he retired from teaching, he became a rural mail carrier in Cass County, Nebraska and then in Osage County, Kansas.

Vince was active in Toastmasters, the Omaha Stamp Club, and the Omaha Philatelic Society.  Vince was an avid stamp collector and enjoyed the times that he and other stamp collectors hosted the annual stamp show.  His other main avocation was photography and he belonged to the Fontenelle Forest Photography Club and the Topeka Camera Club.  His photograph of a Haines, Alaska sunset won the grand prize at the Nebraska State Fair.  He was also part of the group of photographers taking pictures of every barn in rural Nebraska counties for the Smithsonian.  He enjoyed showings of his photographs at art fairs and coffee houses in Omaha and Topeka.

After retirement, on many weekends you would find Vince at his second home on Pomona Lake, Kansas. Many family reunions were held at that location and Vince enjoyed taking visiting family and their kids on pontoon boat rides and fishing excursions. If Vince wasn’t at the lake, he and his dog, Pepper, would often be making long road trips to visit his sons and stop at every national park and wildlife refuge along the way.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Vince’s name can be given to the Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka, Alaska; Fontenelle Forest’s Raptor Recovery Center, in Bellevue, NE; and to Hillcrest Hospice Care in Bellevue, NE.

The family will receive friends on Friday, Feb. 15th from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel, 7805 W. Center Rd, Omaha, followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Saturday, Feb. 16th at 10am at Christ the King Catholic Church, 654 S. 86th St., Omaha.  Interment at Resurrection Cemetery, followed by reception at Christ the King Parish Center.

14 Comments

  • Westside Community Schools Human Resources Department Posted February 7, 2019 10:29 am

    Sending our thoughts and prayers to comfort your family during this time of mourning.

    Deepest Condolences,
    Westside Human Resources

  • Bill Krueger Posted February 7, 2019 12:14 pm

    Vince and I taught science and math together for many years at both Westbrook and Westside Middle School. I thoroughly enjoyed our long collegial relationship. He was a good teacher and a fine person and will be missed by all who knew him My deepest condolences to his family.

  • Tom Albertsen Posted February 8, 2019 7:30 am

    Condolences to Vince’s family. Vince and I were science teachers at Westbrook Middle School. I cherish those years as he was not only a good colleague, but we had a good friendship, also. Oh, the fishing stories that come to my mind ! I’ll always remember the eagle photographs he took and was so proud of. Rest In Peace, Vince.

  • Scott G Thomas Posted February 8, 2019 1:16 pm

    I was unhappy to hear of Mr. Moragues passing, and offer my condolences to his family. I was a student at Westbrook many years ago. Mr. Moragues always seemed to me to have a gentle soul, especially as he was surrounded by the turbulent excesses of youth. A great teacher who conveyed knowledge and skills to his students. We were blessed.

  • Barry Wells & Beverly Rogers Wells Posted February 8, 2019 1:53 pm

    I am a Westside graduate and knew him as a teacher. My wife, Beverly and I would to express our condolences to the family.

  • Pam Duis Shields Posted February 8, 2019 8:15 pm

    My thought and prayers are with the Moragues family. As a former Brooker I can say Mr. Moragues was a great teacher and person.

  • Peg Newkirk Posted February 10, 2019 4:21 pm

    I taught with Vince at Westbrook Junior High for many years. Westbrook was an outstanding junior high, and the students, faculty, and administrators there had a special bond. Vince contributed to this sense of community every day. Students and faculty alike enjoyed and admired the nature and wildlife pictures he took as well as his dedication to teaching. All of us will remember Vince. My thoughts and prayers are extended to his family.

  • Peg Newkirk Posted February 10, 2019 4:30 pm

    I just sent a condolence for Vince and I think I forgot to sign it. In case it is not printed sans name, I want Vince’s family to know how much he was appreciated in the Westbrook Junior High community. His wildlife pictures and dedication to teaching will always be remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Peg Newkirk

  • Holly Womack Goshinski Posted February 10, 2019 6:08 pm

    I would like to send my thoughts and prayers to the family of Mr. Montague’s. I was in his biology class at Westbrook Junior high and I can say he was a truly wonderful teacher. He made going to class so much fun. I am so sorry for your loss and may God grant you peace and comfort during this difficult time.

  • Kelly Petrie Posted February 11, 2019 4:55 pm

    My condolences to Donna and the Moragues family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  • Donna Moragues Posted February 12, 2019 4:29 am

    In reply to all the comments from fellow teachers and former students, thank you for your kind words. Vince had a special bond as a Brooker and often spoke about how great was the experience and all the good memories he had of the school. I know he really enjoyed his years
    at Westside Middle School but Westbrook held a special place in his heart. And to all his former students thank you for your fond memories of Vince as your teacher. I have always felt a great deal of sympathy for you – having to take tests with all those eagle eyes looking down at you from the pictures on the wall! It is heart warming to know he was appreciated by you and that he had an impact on your lives. Again, thank you for your comments; Donna Moragues

  • Debra Beaton Posted February 16, 2019 3:52 pm

    I remember driving around the lake in Kansas, and Vince pointed out to the kids the “catsup and mustard” houses. Every time I drive by a yellow or red house it sparks that memory. And the time Vince took Nick on an adventure early in the morning. When we all woke up….there was no Nick. Couldn’t find him, thought the worst. And then we see Vince and Nick, holding hands, walking up the street. Vince was scolded for not leaving a note. Thoughts and prayers are with you. Love you

  • Ella Beaton Posted February 16, 2019 4:01 pm

    My thoughts are with you Donna. I have many memories of your visits to North Dakota.

  • Robert w ELDER sr Posted August 13, 2023 9:15 pm

    This is obviously late but as I age I think about my past. Vince was my biology teacher at westbrook when he helped me and my friend Steve Reynolds enter the Nebraska science fair and helped guide us to winning the whole thing:) In around 2009 or so I rebuilt his deck on the house he owned in Rockbrook which was an honor considering how he mentored me. I even had the dream of being a Protozologist thanks to his teachings. Just wanted to make an entry to aknowledge his guidance and let him know he was my favorite teacher ever. RIP Mr. Moragues

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