Thomas Joseph Morrissey

Thomas Joseph Morrissey,73, of Ryan, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at NorthCrest Specialty Care in Waterloo, Iowa. He was born on October 22, 1949, in Cedar Rapids, the son of William and Berniece (Culver) Morrissey. Tom attended St. Patrick’s School in Ryan for primary through high school. After graduation, Tom continued his education at Mount Mercy College for Business Administration and Substance Abuse Counseling, where he graduated in 1981, with a Business B.S. Degree. Tom “ripped right through that four- year degree in fourteen years”, for which he was very proud.

This led to a life long career of helping others with his work with Four Oaks, Mental Health Institution, Area Substance Abuse Council, Foundation 2, and his affiliation with Kirkwood College, where he facilitated the drunk driving classes and driver improvement longer than anyone else in the state of Iowa. Tom was a proud friend of Bill W. where he mentored many, many others and recently celebrated 43 years of sobriety.

On May 12, 1979, Tom married the love of his life, Mary Snow. You do the math. He learned how to take directions sometimes, didn’t he Mary?

Tom was always curious and a voracious reader. His highest values in life were his family and to be of service to others. Tom was a lifelong resident of Ryan and a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Tom is survived by his loving wife Mary (Snow) Morrissey; children, Gary (Stacy) Snow, Kristi (Josh) Coghlan, Jacob (Wyatt) Morrissey; grandchildren, Alisha, Tyler, Michelle, Gabbie, Baxter, Jackson, Reeghan, and Elliot; great-grandchildren, Xander, KJ, and Hudson; sister, Norine (Richard) Kennedy; mother-in-law, Christine Snow; and many other extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Ellen “Ellie” Morrissey; brothers, Robert Michael, Terence W., and     Clem H.; his parents; and his father-in-law, Archie Snow.

Cards may be mailed in care of:  Kristi Smith-Coghlan, 140 4th Avenue S.W., Oelwein, Iowa 50662.

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