Robert (Bob) Terrance Moral Obituary

On Monday, May 11, 2020, the Moral family and the world lost their hero. For on this day Robert (Bob) Terrance Moral, our beloved brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, husband, uncle, and friend, at 82 years old went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Robert was born in Miami on February 4, 1938 to the late Simplicio Torres of Cebu Philippines and Marion (Katherine) Moral of Brockton MA, and was raised later by Kermit (Kirk) Wellman along with his mother Katherine. He was the middle son of his two brothers Samuel (Skip) and Donald.

As a young man out of high school, Bob joined and served in the Florida Coast Guard. After his tour of service, Bob entered the professional boxing arena for an early career as a Featherweight. Pound for pound he was a true Golden Gloves Champion with 84 professional fights under his belt, including four Knockouts.

After boxing Bob started his own very successful tree business which led to three generations of Moral's serving, growing and perfecting the trade as the B & K Tree Service, then Allstate Tree Service and finally as an arborist and landscaper with his son Robert who carried on the business as
“The Family Tree” for decades.

On November 14, 1977 Bob was recruited for the Broward Fire Academy where he graduated in 1979 and began his very honorable and illustrious career as a cross trained Firefighter and Port Authority Officer at Port Everglades Authority Fire and Security Division.

Bob was dearly loved by all his brothers and sisters in the Fire and Public Safety, First Responder Department where lifetime bonds were made and cherished. He was admiringly known as “Bullet” for his speed and agility passing all of the younger recruits during drills and athletic events. A book could be written about his success being the fire station prankster since his buddies were victims of his jokes time and again.

His brothers and sisters in arms always knew he had their back and their crew would all be safe if Bullet was on duty.

Beginning his firefighting career later in life, he was looked up to by his younger colleagues for his character, wisdom and life experience. The love, loyalty and laughter he created at Fire Station #6 lives on forever in the station hall and in his Brother and Sisters hearts and memories.

Bob opened and ran a successful antique store in his Florida hometown of Dania Beach where for many years he served on City committees to build and strengthen a strong community.

In his younger years Bob loved fishing, boating, camping, hunting, hiking, diving and all water sports with family and friends. He passed along his great love for the outdoors, sharing all its wondrous beauty and lessons with his children. These life lessons and precepts are a sacred part of his vast legacy left for his treasured children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, on through the generations to come.

He also loved to watch his boxing, football, late night movies and of course his 70s crime shows with Barnaby Jones, Matlock and Kojack never losing their top ratings in his view. The Late Late show reruns and Reader's Digest were also favorite past times.

Bob also had a passion for innocent life on every level. Known and recognized by folks in his Florida home town of Dania Beach, as well as the Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood Police and Broward Sheriff’s Office. Bob was honored time and again for “catching the bad guy”. He had an eye for noticing when something wasn’t quite right. That gift and honed skill put many a bad guy in prison and came to the aid of many innocent victims.

With a heart for the underdog and underprivileged, he would give his last penny to make sure someone else could eat and literally gave the homeless the shirt off his back.

His kindness and compassion even extended into every type of species who had no voice or choice, as he rescued and gave homes to so many suffering stray, injured and neglected animals as well.

Bob paid attention to the little details that made people feel loved. Whether you were the kid who suddenly and miraculously had a fish tugging on your line because dad had to “trade poles for a second”...or whether you were suddenly handed his top notch ham and cheese sandwich with all the works and a slice of pie...or maybe you were that poor soul who ran out of gas in the rain and this kind stranger went and filled your cans for you, or the scared victim in a car accident who had this angel of a man waiting with you, holding your hand providing comfort until help arrived…

To have come across his path in life means that you were genuinely cared for and shown love. Bob knew that his love came from the greatest source of love, his Father in Heaven and his Savior Jesus Christ. Bob prayed for each of his children and their families, his grandchildren and great grandchildren by name every day. The vast love and goodness that Bob generated in his lifetime will forever be cherished and his memory will live on as an eternal light in this world.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 13:35

In addition to his parents and brother Samuel (Skip), Bob was preceded in death by his children’s mother, Diane Angel Moral and his granddaughter Verity Ann Colon. He is survived by his brother Donald Moral of Murphy, NC. He is also survived by his six loving children. Daughter Julie Sellaro of Pompano Beach, Fl; Son Robert (and Nancy) Moral of Madison, Fl; Daughter Sherry (and Rick) Strickland of Santa Rosa Beach, Fl; Son Jeffrey (and Amy) Moral of Southwest Ranches, Fl; Daughter Stacey Moral Cahours of Middleburg, Fl; and Daughter Brenda (and Mark) Wilcox of Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. He is survived by 17 loving grandchildren. Elise, Jenny, Leah (and Jeff), Shaina (and Chris), Noah, Perry (and Kali), Jennifer (and Jerome), Alex (and Cody), Rebecca, Chance, Elizabeth, Amber (and Alex), Jesse, Nathaniel, Shane, Kyle (and Jenna), and Mae Li. He was lucky enough to have 14 great grandchildren. Easton, Nyah, Bella, Addie, Ally, Abby, Bridget, Edward, Audrianna, Carolina, Magnolia, Jackson, Eve, Luke and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

Family members will be gathering in a private ceremony to share beautiful memories, and honor Bob’s life.

With the current restrictions in our Country, the Celebration of Life Service for Bob is to be announced at a later time. Family and friends will be updated after decisions are made as to how and where we will gather.