Joseph A. "Joe" Morrissey, died Monday, April 2, 2018. He was born August 16, 1929, to William R. and Aileen (Brady) Morrissey

Joe grew up a resilient and entrepreneurial young man during the Great Depression. Although the family had little, they were rich in faith and love. 

Joe attended St. Anne Elementary, graduating from Amboy High School in 1947, and St. Ambrose University in 1951. Following college, Joe served 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. After service, Joe studied law at the University of Illinois, obtaining his Juris Doctorate in 1958. Upon graduation, Joe worked in the State Farm claims department until 1964, after which Joe began a private law practice in Rockford, concentrating in personal injury claims for over 50 years.

Joe adopted Rockford as his second hometown, and his vision and civic commitment encouraged others to follow, including his children, each of whom are blessed to share his servant's heart. 

Along with his wife, Josephine and kids, Bill (Melissa) Morrissey, Eileen (Joe) and Larry (Stacy) Morrissey, Joe is survived by grandchildren, Larissa, Joseph, Josh, Matt, Andrew, Grace, Seanna, Sophia, Dillon and AJ. Also surviving, Joe's sisters, Rita, Lois, Frances, Monica, Barb and Colleen; sisters-in-law, Corrine and Linda; and brother, Larry. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Aileen; grandson, Michael Joseph Morrissey; brothers, Robert, John "Tiny" and Reverend William Morrissey; sisters, Rosie and Bette; brothers-in-law, Leroy Goy, Doug Koch, George Hawks, Louis Wilhelm, Alvin Glenn, Gene Carroll, Lloyd Considine, Jack Scorby and Joe (Marge) Matranga; brother and sister-in-law, Cosmo and Antonette Matranga; nephew and godson, Tim Considine; and nephews, Jay Hawks and Brian Goy.