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In Memoriam: Dr. Joseph Ryan Morrissy
Office of the Dean
With sadness, we share the passing of Dr. Joseph Ryan Morrissy on November 7, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario.
Joe was a family physician and professor at St. Joseph’s Family Medical and Dental Centre and Western University for nearly three decades.
Born in Liverpool, England, he studied at University College Cork in Ireland and graduated from Sheffield University’s School of Medicine in 1964. In 1969, Joe and his wife, Valerie emigrated to St. Catharine’s, Ontario where he practiced family medicine for several years before joining St. Joseph’s and Western in 1973.
Throughout his career, he was regarded with profound respect by colleagues, staff, patients and students. He was heavily involved in departmental leadership and greatly enjoyed teaching medical students and residents.
Joe was man of deep faith and a longtime and active member of St. Peter’s Basilica and St. John the Divine parishes in London. While he had many interests and passions, including his cherished Liverpool Football Club, nothing made him happier than being surrounded by his grandchildren. He spent his retirement years travelling to see them in Canada, the U.S. and around the world.
As a committed academic family physician, Joe left a lasting impact on the Department of Family Medicine and many of his former students, who remember him as a wonderful storyteller. He cared deeply about his patients and always provided wise council for younger staff physicians.