KCS at Morgan Memorial

By Carolyn Hamby

Choir members Laurie Hansen, Peter Pesco, and Deborah Gandolfo provided musical interludes for the Chuck Morgan Memorial Service, held at the Kirkland Performance Center on November 13, 2009.

Morgan, who died at the age of 98, was known throughout the community for his legacy of activism that earned him the name "Mr. Kirkland."

As the former publisher and editor of the Eastside Journal, he pushed for the construction of the Kirkland Performance Center that he co-founded, as well as Evergreen Hospital. He was one of the founding fathers of Bellevue Community College and also helped save some public art installations that were in danger of leaving the City of Kirkland, such as the bronze rabbit on Central Way.

The memorial service included remembrances from friends and family, and Ms. Hansen and Mr. Pesco, with Ms. Gandolfo accompanying, sang a few of his favorite songs, including “Unforgettable,” and “September Song.”

It was a privilege for these Kirkland Choral Society members to honor this amazing man who is also remembered for tangoing across the stage of the Kirkland Performance Center on his 95^th birthday!