Joseph J. Morrissey

February 25, 1944 – July 5, 2014 Joseph J. Morrissey, age 70, of Bear, DE, died July 5, 2014, in his home while surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Burlington, NJ on February 25, 1944 to the late John J. Morrissey and Lillian Casperitis Morrissey. He always spoke of his great memories of growing up in Burlington and spending his summers with his family at their beach house in Atlantic City. Joe graduated from Burlington High School in 1962 and then Rider University in 1966. After college, he married and began working at the Internal Revenue Service then moved to Delaware in 1972 to work at the Bank of Delaware. In 1973, he began working at ICI/Zeneca as a computer analyst and was there until 2000 when he retired full time. Joe’s two main loves in his life were his family and sports, in particular basketball. He loved to cheer on his favorite teams, the Phillies, Villanova basketball and all UD sports, and any team his children or family members were on. He was a devoted and loving father and husband and he found much joy spending time with his family and cherished their Sunday dinners together. As well, Joe loved coaching youth teams and teaching others about the sports he loved so much. From 1980-1997, he was active in Our Lady of Fatima’s sports programs, at times serving as the President of the Youth Activities Association, Director of Basketball, and as a coach for boys’ basketball. But nothing made him happier than rooting on his son Tim on the basketball court and his daughter Megan on the stage. In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death, by his second wife, Peggy Bedingfield Sullivan Morrissey. He is survived by his children Timothy Morrissey and Megan Morrissey both of New Castle, his sister Mary Rubenstein (Herb) of Cherry Hill, NJ, his brother Jack Morrissey (Wilma) of Allenwood, NJ, his first wife Susan Morrissey of Newark, DE, his step daughter Paige Sullivan, his step-grandson Ryne Allen of Middletown, DE and many nieces, nephews and life-long cherished friends whom he loved and cared for greatly. A memorial service, in celebration of his life, will be held at 12 Noon on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2014 at the Spicer Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 W. Park Place, Newark, DE, where a visitation will be held from 10 am until 12 Noon. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Police Athletic League of Wilmington, 3707 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19802, in hopes more children can have the opportunity to learn and play the sports that Joe loved so much!