Cynthia “Cindy” Morgan was born in Baltimore in 1952 and lived in the metro area all her life.
Her life was one that touched more people than even her family will ever know. Her love and
devotion to her friends (and even strangers) was only surpassed by the love she had for her
husband, Robert Morgan; her son, John Kantorski; and the families she called her own –
The Schultzes, the Morgans, the Kantorskis, the Lloyds, and too many more to mention.
During her life, she wore many hats. She was a waitress, a liquor sales rep, and managed
stores for a number of companies, including Discovery Zone, Midway Pharmacy, and Heavenly Ham.
Of course, her most important role was as mother to her only son, John; her stepdaughter, Celina;
and grandmother to her two grandchildren, L.J. and Lainey.
As well, she devoted much of her time to the Chosen Sons Motorcycle Club of Maryland,
and its charitable and social activities.
Unfortunately, her time with us was dramatically cut short by cancer. She was
diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer in August of 2004, and although she put up a fight
as brave as has been fought, she succumbed to the disease in October of 2004. While cancer
extinguished her mortal light, no one will ever extinguish the light that shines bright
on the lives she touched.
The scholarship was established by Cynthia’s son, John Kantorski, in February of 2005.
Through John’s life, “Cindy” made sure of one thing: that her son was going to get a
proper education. She made sure that, at an early age, John saw the importance of education
and knowledge, and instilled in him a love of learning that continues to this day (Just
ask anyone about how annoying it is to play Trivial Pursuit against him!). Later in life,
she sacrificed and saved, and did whatever she could to make sure that John completed
his high school education – which she never did because she had to work to support
herself and her family – and made sure that John was able to afford college and complete
his degree, which he did in 2001.
This scholarship was established in order to foster and instill the belief that Cindy
always carried – that education and learning were of paramount importance. This scholarship
is intended to help a student defray some small portion of the ever-increasing costs of a
college education. As well, this scholarship is being awarded only to a person who is a
“first-generation” college student. Cindy’s son John was in the first generation of his
family to attend and graduate college. Many first-generation college students are not
prepared for the intensity and lifestyle associated with pursuing a college degree in
the way that children are in families where previous generations have completed the rigors
of a college education. This scholarship is intended to help alleviate some of the
frustration and costs associated with college expenses.
Finally, due to the exemplary and caring attention given to Cindy and her family by
the staff of Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore, MD, John felt that it was only
right that this scholarship be used to assist a student who is intending to pursue a
degree in a medical-related field. It is the hope of the fund that the scholarship might
be used by a student who may one day help find a cure for the cancers that take away so
many before it is their time to leave us. At the very least, the fund will help put more
qualified medical service providers in the world, and help those who might not have
thought they would be able to pursue such an advanced degree.