Albert Joseph Morganilli Jr., 78, of Irmo, passed away on Friday, November 26, Born on July 17, 1943 in New York, although Al grew up in Columbia, SC. He graduated from Dreher High School and did continuing education in Public Relations and Marketing at USC. Later he received a certificate from North Carolina of Community Colleges in Basic and Advanced Firefighting, Flammable Liquids and Hazardous Materials as well as other areas, too numerous to mention, with the following: North Carolina Fire Rescue Training Center, Virginia Department of Education, North Carolina Fire College and the Georgia Institute of Technology, Charlotte FD Training Center, and University of North Carolina Extension Service in PR and Fire Service.

For the last fifty (50) years he was a volunteer Fire Fighter associated with Fire Apparatus and related safety equipment. Fire Fighter Safety was his most important issue and he promoted and served in various capacities among them are: Fire Department Service with Parkwood, NC -VFD as Assistant Chief, Irmo, SC VFD Training Officer, West Marion, Florida VFD Firefighter and in retirement sat on the Irmo Fire Foundation. He was a member of the National Fire Protection Association and sat on the Committee on Fire Department Equipment, Committee on Fire Service Occupational Safety and Health, Operating Technical Committee, Aircraft Reserve, and Firefighting Vehicles. He was a member of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors and Associate Member and Lecturer at the Fire Department Instructors' Conference. In business he consulted with various manufacturers among them, FMC Fire Apparatus Division where he served as Marketing and Sales Manager, Emergency One Fire Truck Manufacturers as National Sales Manager, and VP Marketing. Later Al was President and CEO of Morganelli & Associates in Deland, FL where he represented, Whelen Engineering, Havis Shields among others prior to his retirement and move back to South Carolina.

From 2008 to 2016 Al and his wife ran a Christian Non-Profit Ministry in the US: "His Promise Ministries" to support orphaned and vulnerable children at Home and Abroad. Al served as Executive director to the Board of Directors. Among the US Partners was "Thornwell Home for Children" Clinton, SC and the Namibia, African organization served was "Children of Promise Ministries". Hebrews 10:23" Let us hold unswervingly to what we profess for he who promised is faithful."

Survivors include his wife, Kathryn Morse Morganelli; daughter, Denise Morganelli Stewart (Jerry); sons, Albert Joseph Morganelli, III, and Matthew O'Hara Howard (Ashby Chase); grandchildren, Kaitlyn K. Stewart, Alexandra Willard Gould (Ben), Maren Michelle Howard, John Bowen Howard, and Laurel O'Hara Howard; brothers, Dennis Ralph Morganelli (Suzette), John Warren Morganelli (Brenda); brothers-in-law, Robert J. Morse, and Daniel V Morse (Chris Wragg).

The funeral service for Al will be held at 11 o'clock on Saturday, December 4th at Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church, 530 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29210 Pastors Jana Creighton and Alice Odell will officiate. A reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. Burial will take place at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 7100 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to either: Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church or Irmo Fire Department Foundation (Al Morganelli Tuition Reimbursement Program) 6017 St Andrews Rd, Columbia, SC 29212.