Funeral Mass for Robert H. Morosky, 83, who died Wednesday, Aug. 14, was celebrated Tuesday, Aug. 20. Burial was at St. Joseph Cemetery, Columbus
Morosky, a retired retail executive, was a founder of The Catholic Foundation of Columbus, a similar organization in the Diocese of Miami, Florida, and the National Society of Catholic Foundations. He also was on the board of the National Catholic Stewardship Council and the Pontifical College Josephinum and received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice award from Pope St. John Paul II for his service to the Catholic Church.
He belonged to several Church honor organizations: the Knights of St. Sylvester, the Knights of St. Gregory the Great, the Knights of Malta, the Knights of St. George and the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. He also was a religious artist whose works include more than 90 paintings with Catholic-related themes.
His business career began in 1964 with the Arthur Andersen accounting firm. From 1972 to 1987, he served as distribution chief and later vice chairman of The Limited, Inc. (now L Brands), then was chief executive officer of Allied Department Stores and an investment partner with the New York City private equity firm of Forstmann-Little. He formed a private investment firm in 1992.
He also was a board member of several corporations, including Safelite Auto Glass, whose headquarters he moved to Columbus. An outdoor enthusiast, he was a longtime member of the Ohio Division of Wildlife board of trustees.
He was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, attended Pennsylvania State University and received a Bachelor’s degree in 1963 from Gannon University in Erie, which later awarded him an honorary doctorate for his philanthropic efforts. The university’s academic center and college of health professions are both named for him. He received a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Cincinnati and did doctoral work at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dianne; son, Michael (Carlye); daughters, Elaina Concheck and Rebecca Hoffman (Steve Cella); brother, David (Debbie); sister, Carol (Joe) Peganoff; a grandson and five granddaughters.
