JOSEPH MORIARTY

June 1, 1921 - June 7, 2011
SOUTH BEND - Joseph Anthony Moriarty, a consummate educator, died on June 7, 2011, at Holy Cross Village in Notre Dame, Indiana. Joe was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 1, 1921, to Margaret Brigid Kennedy and John Aloysius Moriarty; he was the second of three boys. He attended St. Cornelius Grade School and was an athlete, Boy Scout and altar boy.

He attended Lane Technical High School for two years, running cross country and playing baseball, when he dropped out of school in order to help support his family working for a brokerage firm on LaSalle Street in Chicago.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and advanced to the rank of Aviation Radioman first class, serving in both the Atlantic (Blimp Squadron ZP12) and Pacific Theatres (Fleet Air Wing 4). He discovered that he enjoyed instructing his squadron and the seeds for teaching were sown during this time of crisis.

After many hours of night school, interrupted by World War II, he graduated from Carl Schurz Evening School, Chicago, Illinois, on his 25th birthday in 1946. A son of a Chicago street car conductor, he applied and was admitted to the University of Notre Dame in 1948, an almost impossible dream at the time. He was able to attend Notre Dame through the assistance of the GI Bill. While at Notre Dame, he played varsity baseball as a catcher. He graduated with honors in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science Degree.

He met his future wife, Patricia Kerper (St. Mary's College, class of 1953) while attending Notre Dame, and they were married August 20, 1953.

Joe taught in the South Bend Community School Corporation for 33 years. He taught science at Jefferson Junior High School for 27 years while coaching football, basketball, baseball and track. He later taught science at John Adams High School. During his teaching career he served as an adjunct professor at Indiana University South Bend, teaching Geology and Physical Geography, as well as the University of Notre Dame, Department of Earth Science.

While being a superlative educator, he was also an eternal student, receiving three Master's Degrees, Administration of Public Education (ND, 1953), Guidance and Counseling (ND, 1967) and Master's of Science in Geology (ND, 1971) at age 50. He traveled to Bozeman, Montana, to complete his field work in Geology at Montana State University where he continued to teach in the summers. In 1967 he received the Teacher of the Year Award from the River Park Lions Club. In 1985 he was presented the Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award by the National Association of Geology Teachers. Over the course of his professional teaching career he also spent summers coordinating literacy programs through the South Bend Neighborhood Centers, coaching through the South Bend Parks and Recreation Programs and taking advanced courses to keep current in the sciences. Most importantly, "Mr. Moriarty" was beloved by all his students and has taught several generations of South Bend residents. His "interest book" assignments were a highlight of the school year for both him and his students.

He was an advocate for public education and fiercely loyal to his students and to the players that he coached, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Even though he retired from teaching, he continued his education endeavors and his many volunteer activities which included Sacred Heart Basilica tour guide, Football Hall of Fame, St. Augustine Soup Kitchen and Little Flower Church. His education continued at the Forever Learning Institute where he enjoyed diverse subjects such as physics, home computing and Irish history.

Joe was a gifted athlete and was always involved in sports. Not only a coach during his teaching career, he was also actively involved in his children's and grandchildren's sporting events. He was a true Notre Dame fan and had an undying lifelong loyalty to the Chicago White Sox. Joe and Pat live close to Notre Dame and have been lifelong parishioners at Little Flower Catholic Church, where they contributed their time and talents to the community.

Joe was the proud father of Ann Moriarty (John Fitzgerald); Kathleen Marshall (S. Eric); Michael Joseph (deceased); Joseph Anthony Moriarty; and Megan McNicoll (Doug). He was a loving father and a grandfather. He has 11 grandchildren: Michael, Maureen and Megan Marshall; Aidan, Ellen and Sean Fitzgerald; James and Anna Moriarty; and Sara, Mary Pat and Gracie McNicoll. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers, John and Francis Moriarty.

Always a teacher, it was Joe's desire to continue to instruct students after his death and has contributed his body to the Anatomic Education Program of Indiana University Medical School. There will be a gathering to celebrate Joe's life with time to greet his family in the Great Room at Andre Place, Holy Cross Village, between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 17, 2011.

A memorial Mass will be held in his honor on Saturday, June 18th, at 10:00 a.m. in Little Flower Catholic Church. Friends may gather at 9:00 a.m. prior to the service, with a luncheon following the Mass in the Parish Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made on Joe's behalf to the Little Flower Parish Food Pantry, 54191 Ironwood Road, South Bend, IN 46635; or to the CASIE Center, 912 E. LaSalle Avenue, Suite 100, South Bend, IN 46617.