Rich Firato built pirate wonderland in his backyard
Rich Firato, as the “benevolent pirate” in front of the Spanish Galleon ship in his backyard. Photo courtesy Firato family
By Marty Cheek and Robert Airoldi
Rich Firato, the Morgan Hill legend who transformed his backyard into a swashbuckling pirate’s paradise, died Aug. 22 at age 64, leaving behind a legacy of volunteerism and whimsy that touched thousands of lives across the South Valley.
Known for his larger-than-life personality and tireless dedication to local causes, Firato’s unexpected passing has left a void in a community he spent decades working to improve. The cause of death is assumed to be a heart attack.
Born in San Jose Aug. 13, 1960, Firato grew up in Willow Glen. His family owned the iconic Firato Delicatessen until its closure in the late 1970s. He graduated from Willow Glen High School in 1978, where he met his future wife, Julie, two grades behind him.
“He was always for the underdog. Always,” Julie Firato recalled of their high school days.
In high school, Rich played sports, excelling in basketball, football, and baseball (his true athletic passion). In later years, he continued his sports activities, winning countless trophies as a go-kart and stock car racer.
The couple married two years after Julie’s graduation and started a janitorial business together in 1983, which they ran for more than 40 years.
Rich’s path to becoming Morgan Hill’s beloved buccaneer began when the family moved to their current home along Hill Road in 2000. What started as a small project to renovate a backyard hut gradually evolved into “Morgan’s Cove,” an elaborate pirate-themed wonderland featuring at its heart a one-third replica of a Spanish galleon. Constantly adding to the private park as he hand-built it for 24 years, Rich branded himself “the benevolent pirate” and welcomed many locals to take a tour and be amazed at marvels around every corner – including grinning pirate skeletons and fake pirate gold doubloons.
Click HERE to read a poem in honor of Rich Firato
“Little by little, it was a labor of love,” said Nick Firato, Rich and Julie’s son. “He had passion.”
The backyard attraction gained national attention when it was featured on the Disney+ show “The World According to Jeff Goldblum.”
Rich Firato with actor Jeff Goldblum who visited Rich’s pirate-themed backyard for a Disney+ show hosted by the actor.
Morgan Hill Life file photo
“Jeff was really blown away by the tour,” Julie shared about the “Jurassic Park” actor’s visit. “Jeff was really amazed by everything he saw here.”
Rich and Julie wrote and published together two fiction books based on Morgan’s Cove. The novel “Before the Hurricane” and the children’s book “Dartanian the Day Dreamer” take readers back in time to sail on the ship “The Lady Morgan” and enjoy swashbuckling adventures.
Beyond his piratical pursuits, Rich stayed deeply involved in community service. He was active in the Rotary Club of Morgan Hill. As a leader on the board of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce, he played an instrumental role in expanding the organization’s Friday Night Music Series. His volunteerism extended to reading to children at local elementary schools, often dressed in full pirate regalia.
Earlier this year, the Firatos established the Morgan’s Cove Foundation to provide educational experiences for children. The family worked with local leaders through the umbrella nonprofit Morgan Hill Community Foundation in creating the new nonprofit.
Run by their Nick’s wife, Jessica Firato, it has the mission to use the pirate-themed facilities for fieldtrip tours. Students discover the story of English privateer Sir Francis Drake’s adventures along the California coast, the history of the South Valley, and Morgan Hill’s very own hidden treasure, the poppy jasper gemstone only found in this region.
Rich and Julie Firato on vacation in Hawaii. Photo courtesy Firato family
“He wanted this place to live on longer than him and bigger than him,” Nick explained in saying the nonprofit would continue. “He wanted it to be a historical landmark.”
Rich’s impact on his community was so significant that there are talks of renaming the downtown amphitheater at the Community and Cultural Center’s plaza in his honor, according to Julie.
Known for his larger-than-life personality and boundless generosity, she said, Rich lived by the motto: “I don’t want to be a hero. I want to be a legend.”
“The guy gave 150 percent to everything he did,” Julie affirmed. “It was not in him to go half-ass.”
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Former mayor Steve Tate, a member of the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Morgan Hill, described Rich as a true leader who did much to help young people.
“Morgan’s Cove was his passion and he recently established his foundation to use it to educate fourth graders on tying knots and pirate/treasure history and some of our local uniqueness,” he said. “The kids loved him and he returned it. He was in his element giving them a tour.”
Rich opened his pirate venue to charitable events such as the Air for Paws annual fundraiser, Leadership Morgan Hill and the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival as well as local political candidates he supported,” Tate said.
Tate never heard anybody say a bad or negative word about Rich, he said.
“That says a lot about him, his love of family and his love of community,” Tate said. “He will be remembered as the Pirate of Morgan Hill, but he was so much more – truly a giant who will be sorely missed.”
Photo courtesy Firato family
Fellow Rotarian Sherry Hemingway portrayed Rich, as Morgan Hill’s pirate, standing bigger than life and embracing his swashbuckling role with every cell of his being.
“All of us who have been fortunate enough to spend time at Morgan’s Cove know what a true treasure it is,” she said. “And oh, how Rich loved sharing that treasure with kids and adults alike. He often dropped what he was doing, including work and family gatherings, to give an impromptu tour. Rich and Julie have always been so generous in opening their home and their hearts to the community.”
Another Morgan Hill Rotarian who knew Rich well, Mario Banuelos worked closely with him in working with the Morgan Hill Community Foundation in creating the Morgan’s Cove Foundation.
“Rich shared his desire to pass along his legacy of exploration and discovery through Morgan’s Cove to the next generation,” Banuelos said. “The few tours he completed (for elementary students) were very successful and generated a lot of excitement and ignited curiosity.”
Rich truly embodied Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self,” he said, describing how Morgan Hill’s pirate always stood ready to lend a helping hand, reflecting his generous spirit and unwavering commitment to the South Valley community.
A few years ago, Banuelos and his wife, Fawn, ran into Rich at the Moss Landing antique street fair. Banuelos told a tale of one encounter.
Photo courtesy Firato family
“He was carrying a piece of ordinary driftwood he had just purchased,” he said. “The log seemed like no big deal to us, but Rich’s face lit up when he began describing the place at Morgan’s Cove, he planned to place it. He was always looking at ways to improve the Cove.”
At Morgan’s Cove fundraisers over the years, Rich helped his friend Terry Moriyama to purchase animal respirators for her Air for Paws nonprofit. His passion for helping others was evident in how he and Julie opened their home and heart to causes that benefited people and pets.
“Rich’s spirit was truly one of a kind—his generosity extended beyond just financial contributions; he gave his time, energy, and unwavering support,” Moriyama said. “His impact on Air For Paws is immeasurable, and we are forever grateful for the legacy he leaves behind.”
Rich was locally famous for bringing a sense of fun and enthusiasm to everything he did as Morgan Hill’s pirate, she said. This playful yet committed approach extended to his many volunteer activities, where he was a tireless supporter of various causes.
“His ability to blend leadership with camaraderie made him a beloved figure in every organization he touched,” she said. “Rich’s larger-than-life personality was marked by warmth, humor, and a deep sense of responsibility towards his community. … His impact on Morgan Hill will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.”
Photo courtesy Firato family
Morgan Hill Unified School District Trustee John Horner, and a former CEO of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce, described Rich’s approach to every project he became involved as filled with passion, creativity, intense effort and a sense of joy.
“I was fortunate to work closely on a daily basis with Rich Firato during the decade we both served the community through our work with the Chamber,” he said. “Rich was always focused on how we could best serve the entire community, and readily mentioned disdain for anyone who was merely self-serving.”
Morgan Hill Mayor Mark Turner portrayed the loss of Rich Firato as a sad time for Morgan Hill residents. His kindness and encouragement was well known and his death leaves a void in the lives of people he impacted .
“Rich meant a lot to a lot of people.” Turner said. “If someone didn’t know Rich by name, you just simply had to say, ‘You know … the pirate guy.’ He had a way of providing encouragement if you were down, seeing the opportunity when others didn’t see a way, and was willing to step up whenever there was a need.”
Brittney Sherman, the city’s economic development coordinator, recalled the first time she met Rich after returning to Morgan Hill following several years residing on the East Coast. The first community event she attended was a Chamber of Commerce after-hours mixer.
Photo courtesy Rotary Club of Morgan Hill
“It is always daunting to enter an established group as the newbie, so I was completely reserved to be a wallflower,” she said. “Rich was having none of that! I don’t think it was more than two minutes after I arrived that Rich walked up to me, introduced himself, shook my hand, and proceeded to introduce me to all 50-plus people in attendance. It was the warmest reception I had ever received, and something I will never forget.”
She spent eight years working with Rich in supporting local businesses and operating community events through the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce.
“To many people Rich was many things,” Sherman said. “To me, he was a mentor, a supporter, an encouraging word, a much needed laugh over an inside joke, and most importantly a friend. He always made me feel like family, and I will forever be grateful for his presence in my life.”
Nick Gaich, CEO of the Chamber, expressed sadness on hearing the news of Rich’s passing , calling him a “friend, colleague , mentor, and community advocate” who left an indelible mark on many hearts in the community.
“Rich was driven and supported by the love of his family and an unwavering passion for community service, freely given to all that needed help, support or just a good friend to share a story, a wish or dream with,” Gaich said.
Rich had a unique ability to make everyone feel seen and heard, creating a space where ideas flourished, and dreams took root, he said.
“I was fortunate that Rich took me under his wing as a colleague and then mentor,” Gaich said. “Rich continually inspired me to pursue my passion and purpose and to believe I can make a difference, and for that I will be forever grateful.”
As the community mourns the loss of their beloved pirate, Nick Firato reflected on his father’s journey:
“You think about his story,” he said. “You come from nothing and you build your business as an entrepreneur and then you get involved in the community, and then you figure out a way to give back to the community. And then creating something that is everlasting – that’s the American dream right there.”
Rich leaves behind a loving family, including his mother Marie Firato; older brothers Robert and Al Firato; wife of over 40 years, Julie Firato; children Nick Firato, Alyssa Firato, and Giavanna Orta; and six cherished grandchildren. His family was a constant source of inspiration for his community efforts and creative endeavors.
