Topos Mondial's founder, Michael A. Morabito, Jr., passed away peacefully at home of Parkinson’s disease on Monday, December 24. He was 90. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Antonette (DiJohn), three children: Michael A. Morabito III (Joanna), Damian (Lauren), and Cassandra (John Trapani) and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by 11 siblings.

Born in Conshohocken to immigrant parents, he was seventh [7^th] of 13 children of the late Michael A. Morabito and Julia (Paglario). He graduated from Norristown High School and attended the University of Miami and Temple University.

Mr. Morabito served proudly in the Marines for 2 years and was a Navy pilot for 3 years. Mr. Morabito and his two brothers later took over the family bakery that was started by his father in the garage of their modest home. The bakery grew in scale, and in 1979, Mr. Morabito became the sole owner of Morabito Baking Company in Norristown. Today, his eldest son, Michael A. Morabito III carries on the tradition and leads the successful large wholesale bakery business they built, serving customers both locally and along the east coast.  Mr. Morabito was passionate about baking and producing high quality products throughout his life and that focus continues today.

In 1962, Mr. Morabito founded Topos Mondial Corporation, a bakery equipment company based in the U.S. The company’s humble start began after the installation of new machinery into his family bakery. After that successful installation, Mr. Morabito became a sales representative for the company which supplied the equipment, the then government-owned Topos a.s. in Czechoslovakia. Mr. Morabito imported the Czech-made automated roll lines for sale into both local Delaware Valley and regional bakeries. After the Prague Spring of 1968 and the start of the cold war, Michael lost the relationship with Topos a.s. and transitioned his efforts at Topos Mondial USA to focus only on pre-owned and rebuilt bakery machinery.  In 1987, his second son, Damian joined the company and together they grew the business to have international reach. The company settled in Pottstown and remains there today.

In 1999, Mr. Morabito reconnected with Topos a.s. in the Czech Republic, now a privately held company. In 2001, Topos Mondial began selling new bakery machinery made in the Czech Republic into the North American markets - again. Mr. Morabito’s tireless entrepreneurial spirit drove him to purchase an interest in the European company, eventually acquiring the entire company by August 2015. This fulfilled Mr. Morabito’s his lifelong dream of owning the company with which he first connected back in the 1960’s.

Today, the company has full global reach and the business embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and focus on growth and service to the industry that always meant so much to Mr. Morabito and his family. Along the way, Mr. Morabito has touched the hearts and spirit of many a baker in the industry that he so loved. His success was measured in his ability to help fellow bakers grow and succeed and to help mentor them as he became a true leader in the industry. His legacy will live on, as it will in the hearts and souls of those he touched.

Outside of the businesses, Mr. Morabito enjoyed collecting unique cars, acquiring art glass and gardening around his house, which he loved so much. He was also devoted to his family, particularly his grandchildren, who routinely greeted him with a hug and the familiar phrase, “How’s business, Grandpop?”

Mr. Morabito was a lifetime member of Holy Savior Church and a generous supporter of the Norristown community.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Michael A. Morabito, Jr., may be made to Cirigliano Clinical Excellence Fund. Checks may be made payable to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania and mailed to Penn Medicine Development c/o Kim Grube, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750 Philadelphia PA 19104. Contributions may also be made to Penn Home Care and Hospice, payable to Penn Wissahickon Hospice. Gifts can be mailed to Kelly McBride, Penn Medicine Development Office, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Alternately, a secure online donation can be made at www.PennMedicine.org/hospice-donate.