Joseph A. (Joe) Dempsey Jr. reunited with Grandma Finnegan and his parents Joseph Sr. and Anne Finnegan Dempsey when he passed peacefully at home on June 21, 2022. Joe was born March 22, 1941 and a native of Chicago IL. He was married for nearly 60 years and survived by the love of his life Marie Smieja Dempsey. Marie and Joe were residents of Midlothian IL and parishioners of St. Christopher church for 57 years prior to moving to Lake Norman in North Carolina.
Joe’s siblings, Joanne Dempsey, Sandra Dempsey Nowacyzk, Therese Dempsey Skorski, and Catherine Dempsey Riggs preceded him in death as did brothers-in-law, George Kilroy, Florian Nowacyzk, Stanley Skorski, & Leo Riggs. He is survived by siblings, Clare Dempsey Kilroy and Edward Dempsey (Nancy Pitts Dempsey).
Joe was the kind of dad for which kids dream. He is survived by all 14 of his children, their spouses, and his 31 grandchildren. Deborah Dempsey White (Eric White), Sheila Dempsey Chickene (Joseph Paul Chickene), Catherine Dempsey Battle (Thomas Battle), Karen Dempsey, Donna Dempsey, Mary Dempsey, Linda Dempsey Mulcahy (Sean Mulcahy), Patricia Dempsey Masi (Robert Masi), Joseph Dempsey (Joy Llavor Dempsey), Christine Dempsey Seldon (Anthony Seldon), Kevin Dempsey (Robin Lannan Dempsey), Diane Dempsey Bartkus (Darius Bartkus), James Dempsey (Elizabeth Engelbreit Dempsey), and Janet Dempsey Brennan (Kevin Brennan) were all recipients of Joe’s love and guidance as well as his overwhelmingly strong support, work ethic, and humor. Many evenings were spent playing running bases, Monopoly, Parcheesi, or other games that led to many cherished memories.
Joe served honorably for 3 years in the US Army (1960-1963) and was a designated Sharp Shooter. He worked in a number of fields to support his family including owning a real estate business and working for the Cook County Assessor. He retired from the Assessor’s office in 2002 after 25 years of service.
Joe’s family and friends will celebrate his life with a memorial mass at St. Christopher Church (Midlothian, IL) on September 24th, 2022 @ 10:30am.
In lieu of flowers, Joe’s family encourages donations in his honor to the American Cancer Society or Hospice & Palliative Care of Charlotte NC.
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