JOSEPH FRANCIS MORRISON, JR. 

December 19, 1943 – May 13, 2025

Joseph Francis Morrison, Jr. was born Dec. 19,1943 in Jersey City, N.J. to Margaret and Joseph Francis Morrison, Sr. He passed away at 81 on May 13, 2025 in Manhattan Beach, CA, at home with his family by his bedside.

Joe is survived by innumerable dear friends and his loving family: wife, Barbara Lewis Morrison; children, Pia Morrison Delphais (Frank), Joe Morrison III, Jonathan Morrison (Josie), and Maggie Morrison; grandchildren, Zachary and Matthew  Delphais, and Alyssa, Adam, Sean, and Logan Morrison; sisters, Patty Morrison Ahern and Mary Ellen Morrison Williamson; numerous beloved nephews and nieces; and his closest canine friend, Mr. Wilson. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, sister Eileen Morrison Rosson and nephew Brian Rosson. 

Joe Morrison was a survivor who wasn’t supposed to live past the age of 15, when he was hit by a car on the last day of school, in a coma for five weeks, given the Last Rites twice and told he would never walk again. Through sheer determination, and characteristic stubbornness, he defied the odds and proved the doctors wrong. Joe recovered, learned to walk again and went on to lead a full, active, athletic life.

Joe finished high school, graduating on time with the class of 1961 from Bergen Catholic High School in Ridgewood , N.J. and Villanova University in 1965. Joe then made his way to Madison Avenue, working at several New York ad agencies, then relocating for a corporate marketing job at Calgon in Pittsburgh, where he became a rabid Steelers fan. During this time, he had three wonderful children: Pia, Joe III and Jonathan with his first wife. 

In the mid-seventies, famed ad agency exec Mary Wells Lawrence tapped Joe to open a West Coast office in Los Angeles for her firm, Wells, Rich, Greene. 

Joe joined toy giant Mattel in 1978, heading up its Hot Wheels division. As Executive VP of Marketing in the early ’80s, he led the team that created the legendary He-Man and the Masters of the Universe toy line that was later developed into an animated TV series and movie. Award-winning actor Frank Langella has said that the Masters of the Universe movie gave him one of his all-time favorite roles, the supervillain Skeletor. 

In 1986, Joe’s life took another defining turn. On a whitewater rafting trip in British Columbia with 10 other marketing executives, the group’s raft flipped in rapids, trapping Joe beneath the boat. Thrown into the raging river, five of the others drowned. Using every ounce of strength, Joe fought his way to the surface, made it to the riverbank, and once again defied death. 

With this third chance at life, Joe left Mattel to follow a longtime dream. He co-founded a toy company, Morrison Entertainment Group (now MEG Toys). The company went on to create Monster In My Pocket, Puppy in My Pocket, Stink Blasters and other “evergreen” brands that continue delighting new crops of kids, year after year.

After meeting on a blind date (and a long courtship), Joe married Barbara Lewis in 1988.  Joe, a man of very few (but well-chosen) words and bubbly, sociable Barbara seemed to be polar opposites, yet they shared many common interests and core values, with a deep, unbreakable love. They created a wonderful life, even working together to build MEG Toys, and in 1997 they welcomed daughter, Maggie. 

Joe’s blended family spanned two coasts and two generations of children who loved spending time together as often as they could. Known and loved by his family as “Papa Joe,” he was the patriarch of his large Irish clan and cherished the summers he spent with his children and grandkids at the Jersey Shore — a tradition that continued right up through last summer, in spite of his declining health. 

Joe was a multi-faceted person. He was a strong leader and tough in business, but had a sensitive and creative side, reflected in part in the toys he developed. He was a deep thinker and voracious reader, but also into fitness. Joe would celebrate his birthday each year — even into his seventies — by holding his own “quadrathlon.” The unique event included a swim, bike ride, treadmill run and 18 holes of golf.

Speaking of golf, no accounting of Joe’s life would be complete without mentioning his avid devotion to the sport. He was a longtime member of Bel-Air Country Club, his “home away from home” for 36 years. Joe served on the Bel-Air board and membership committee, chaired key events and played the course at least twice weekly, followed by lively conversations at “The Smart Table” back at the clubhouse. When not on the links, he was constantly working to perfect his game on the driving range. While that perfection was never completely achieved, the friendships and camaraderie he enjoyed at Bel-Air played a major role in Joe’s life.  

A person, of course, is more than their accomplishments. With Joe, the human behind the business successes and sporting ventures was a supremely intelligent, self-deprecating, inspiring man of unquestioned integrity. He was mentor to many, and one of his former employees said it well, ”Joe was always willing to share his knowledge and experience. He was a true guiding light. If I was ever conflicted, I’d ask myself, ‘what would Joe do?’”

What Joe did was lead an exemplary life. His was a life well lived, but regrettably it ended too soon.