PETER MORISI, 75

Police officer had passion for drawing comic books

October 13, 2003

Peter A. Morisi, 75, of Dongan Hills, a retired comic book artist and police officer, died yesterday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze.
Born and raised in Park Slope, Brooklyn, Mr. Morisi settled in Dongan Hills in 1973.
He worked as a police officer for the New York Police Department for 20 years, retiring in 1976. Mr. Morisi was stationed in Brooklyn and lower Manhattan.
He served as a private in the Army from 1948 to 1950, stationed in Colorado.
Mr. Morisi's passion was drawing, especially comic books. He worked as a freelance comic book artist and he created the characters Johnny Dynamite and super hero Thunderbolt, among others. Mr. Morisi's comic book career spanned four decades, beginning at Fox Comics in 1948. His most prolific work was published by Charlton Comics from the late 1950s to the early 1970s, but he also worked for Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and many other publishers.
Mr. Morisi also illustrated a column for the Advance called "Staten Island Stats" for several years in the 1970s.
Mr. Morisi enjoyed watching old movies and learning movie trivia. He also loved dogs and spending time with his most recent dog, Midnight.
His wife of 53 years, the former Louise Massie, died in May.
Surviving are three sons, Steven, Russ and Val; a brother, Donald; a sister, Ines Salvanti, and five grandchildren.
The funeral will be Thursday in the Richmond Funeral Home, Grant City, at 11 a.m, officiated by the Rev. Paul L. Schooling of Gateway Cathedral, Richmond Valley. Cremation arrangements are being handled by Rosehill Crematory, Linden, N.J.