Felipe Jose Morales, 45, of New Bern died Saturday, May 16, 2026 at his residence surrounded by family.
The family will receive friends at 10:00 AM Friday, May 29, 2026 at St. Paul Catholic Church Atrium 3005 Country Club Rd., New Bern..
His Funeral Mass will begin at 11:00 AM Friday, May 29, 2026 at St. Paul Catholic Church 3005 Country Club Rd., New Bern.
His entombment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, New Bern.
Felipe was born to Victor and Reina Morales on March 11th, 1981 in Winter Park, Florida. He moved around as a child, but ended up back in Florida, where he graduated from Oviedo High School, Class of 2000.
Felipe started his Publix career in 1999 and found great purpose in his work, some would say he bled green. And Publix is where he met his wife Heather in 2008. They bonded over a mutual love for the Miami Dolphins! Felipe was also a die hard Yankees fan. Felipe’s biggest and proudest accomplishment was being an amazing dad to his two children. He was their biggest fan, and you could always find him at the fence cheering them on in sports.
He’s survived by his loving wife of 14 years Heather, his two beautiful children, Scarlett (11) and Felipe aka Bubba(8), his mother, Reina of New Bern, NC, his father Victor of Lake City, FL, his sister, Angie of New Bern, NC (niece Jordan), his sister, Gina of Orlando, FL (nephews Nicky, Frankey, Antony, niece Arianna), his brother, Daniel & wife Amy of New Bern, NC (niece Catalina, nephews Miles and Oliver), along with great nieces and great nephews.
Felipe fought a very courageous 6 year battle with brain cancer, and we can’t thank his Duke University medical care team enough.
While he was called to heaven far too young, we know he’s serving a greater purpose. He touched so many lives in his 45 years earth side, and we know his legacy will live on through family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University in Felipe’s honor.
Ways to Give 2026 | Tisch Brain Tumor Center
Felipe was always leading by example and made all us customers feel at home. His warmth and genuine care for others was a testament to his heart and demonstrated the fruits of his spirit. God rest his soul and bring peace to his beautiful family.
Felipe , we will miss you
I would roughly pay at the new Bern store and he was a pleasure to work with a big help. He's going to be well missed. He was a good protest manager. Heaven is indeed of a great person and human 💙
To an incredible human... Felipe, you were such a light to so many of us. You're a soul that will not be forgotten and one I am so glad to have been able to know. A man with top notch sense of humor and heart of gold, that's what made you so incredibly special to many. May your family always know how much you loved and spoke of them. He sure loved Heather, his fierce protector and never missed an opportunity to show pictures and share all his proud moments of his children. We sure miss you down here Felipe.
I gained you as a brother when you sat next to me in Driver's Ed class. Thank you for coming into my life. Thanks for always making me smile and laugh, it came naturally when just being around you. Thank you for always looking out for all of us during all of the adventures. Love you brother.
Felipe, thanks for being a great friend and co-worker. We always had a lot of laughs at Publix together in high school and fun playing Madden on PlayStation Miss ya buddy
Felipe, where do I begin? I am so honored to be able to have met you and work along beside you. The days when we were together was always a memory I will cherish for a lifetime. To listen to you talk about your kids achievements after games was an awesome topic of conversation and was well known you loved to see them grow and learn. You will be missed beyond words can explain. The Publix fam love you and thank you for being there for us when we needed you. ❤️ Rest in paradise Flip! GO DOLPHINS! 🐬
I too had the privilege of meeting Felipe when I started working at Publix in 2000. We shared a lot of great times and laughs inside as well as outside of work. We used to get a group together at the baseball fields and do home run contests. Felipe was a caring man and good friend, always there to listen and never got worked up over the little things. My condolences to the family. May the memories shine light to brighten your day. Thoughts and prayers to you all.
Flippy Flep your be truly missed. Thank you for everything you have taught me and not just me but everyone you have worked with at Publix. Thank you for being the amazing human being you were and I wish there were more people in the world like you. I know your suffering is over and you're probably having a party up in heaven. Rest easy my friend.
I was talking to mom again last night about my favorite memory of you. How you took me to see Hogwarts when it opened up at Universal and how it was the first time in a long time I felt safe to just be a normal kid. I never got to tell you just how much that meant to me even when you sat me down and told me if life got hard and I didn't wanna be here anymore to just call and I could come stay with you guys. No matter what you always made sure I had somewhere to go. By the time I made it back to Florida you had moved and I could never understand why Florida didn't feel like home anymore. I think now I understand its because you weren't there anymore. You even made this place feel like home. I can still hear you in the background when id call Grandma to "just come crash here". You saved me so many times and im gonna miss you so much.
My grandmother used to say it's not what you leave behind but the feelings you leave behind that measure what kind of person you are. And Felipe left such fun, patience, and care in his wake. He made you feel better with a quick joke and a contagious laugh and even if you felt small he made you feel like you were important. I am honored to have spent time working with him. Even after I left he checked in on me, always made me feel like I was still important, even if we had parted ways. My heart goes out the heather and their kids. We will continue to celebrate your life Flippy, R.I.P. 🙏
Eternal rest grant unto him. May he Rest in Heavenly Peace
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.