Name: Leber Funeral Home
Address: Union City, NJ

For many years, Hugo organized the annual Ecuadorean Festival at NJCU. It was lively and opened our front gate to the community. 
It would take place on the front lawn of Hepburn Hall during the summer and provided an opportunity to meet family and friends from our NJCU jobs and share the food, music, and arts of Ecuador.
It was fun. And Hugo was fun, too. He would always punctuate a conversation with a laugh.
He will be remembered for his kindness and sensitivity.  

As a Past President of the Rotary Club of Jersey City, Hugo was always willing to help with creative projects and design artwork and flyers/branding. He never complained and would pitch in with service projects. He wasn’t just about showing up for meetings. He was authentic and had the heart of a true Rotarian. Taken too soon he will be missed. My condolences to his wife, family and friends. 

Hugo W. Morales, artist, educator and activist was born in 1961 in Guayaquil, Ecuador, passed away on February 24, 2021 due to complications from Covid-19. A proud Rotarian, educator, a prolific fine artist, and accomplished graphic designer who created and exhibited a vast body of work on various themes over the past 35 years. Hugo was raised in Union City, NJ in a tight knit family, and for the past seven years lived in Union, NJ with his wife.
 
Hugo studied, graduated, and worked at Jersey City State College/ New Jersey City University for nearly 30 years. During these decades of service he literally taught, mentored, and worked untiringly to support thousands of students. Described as a modern day renaissance man, he was a gifted visual artist whose artwork was displayed locally, nationally and internationally. As an educator he worked as a social justice advocate for students and our community. As a cultural activist he was at the center of the Nuevo Latino art movement, and among his many accomplishments was creation of the Festival de los Andes, a festival held annually for 15 years honoring and highlighting the diverse cultures from the Andes region in South America. Most recently he had been an active Rotarian and served the greater Hudson County region as a community volunteer. He also reengaged as an educator, teaching graphic art design at Felician University, in preparing our next generation of visual artist.

Hugo is survived by his wife, Marcela Morales, his beloved mother Barbara Barragan, his sister Maritza and brother Gino, along with his niece Amanda, and nephews Giovanni and Chris. Hugo’s art work and extensive community service work resulted in a legion of friends that encompassed students, alumni, faculty, staff, and a myriad group of admirers who felt his touch and valued his contributions to their lives as an artist, mentor, role model, friend, and cultural/ social activist.

You stood for so much good in the world Hugo and your kind words and actions will be missed by us all. However, you left an indelible mark on all that you created and we are all better people for it. God be with you!

I worked for Hugo at New Jersey City University Latino Cultural Center while I was a student there! Hugo had a love for art especially Dia de Los Muertos Exhibition! Every year he looked forward to it with lots of enthusiasm. As a member of the Council of Hispanic Affairs, Hugo loved to help and put together community service projects and fundraisers that helped out a lot of people who really needed it! Rest in Peace Mi Amigo!

OBITUARY

Hugo W Morales

March 6, 1961 – February 24, 2021

Leber Funeral Home

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