Daniel J. Morrissey

Daniel J. Morrissey, 89, was reunited with his loving wife, Mary, in Heaven on Thursday, May 12, 2022.

He was born in 1932, in Worcester son to Julia A. (Donoghue) and Michael J. Morrissey. Daniel was a proud first-generation child born to Irish immigrants. He originally grew up in South Worcester and attended Sacred Heart Academy. Danny played in the South Worcester Baseball League. During those years, as he told it, the baseball program was very popular and elite. He was also an alter server at many of the Masses at the Chapel of Holy Cross.

Daniel's parents moved their family of ten, to the Bell Hill area of Worcester. In later years, he raised his own family and remained living there until the time of his death. Danny graduated from St. John's High School in 1950. He loved to tell everyone that the tuition was $50 per year, in those days, and that his church parish may have paid for it. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Navy in January 1951 proudly serving his country during the Korean War. He served with the Squadron VP7 upon the U.S.S. Gilbert Islands carrier ship until his discharge in January 1955. Upon completion of his military service, Danny met and married his one and only love, Mary Ann (DiPadua) Cesaitis, a divorced woman with 4 young sons and they had six more children together.

His family was most important to him. He lived, loved, breathed and worked for his family. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were his everything…his love for them helped sustain him until his very last breath.

He worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 30 years as a mail handler, clerk and lastly promoted to Logistics Coordinator, until his retirement in 1991. He was a dual U.S. and Irish Citizen. He was the family historian in his own right, knowing more about his family and Irelands' history going back a thousand years or more. He knew more than most people that were born and raised there. Daniel travelled to Ireland numerous times alone and with family members. This ensured they could tour, visit, and see the Ireland he knew and loved, through his eyes. Danny was always smiling and was always being mistaken for a "local". He was a lifelong Irish Football follower and "Kerryman". In 1947 he attended the historic and only All Ireland Final ever to be played in the U.S. on the Polo Grounds in New York with his Dad & Uncle. Cavan defeated Kerry in the Finals. His happiest times were travelling to Croke Park in Ireland, to see the G.A.A. "All Ireland Finals". His cousin Patrick ran all over Ireland to secure tickets to the big game, no matter what the cost! He was in all his glory to sit in the stadium in person, to watch Co. Kerry team win it all!

Daniel is deeply loved and will be missed by many, including his children: Kathleen Bitzas of Worcester (Pavlos), Mary Nuzzetti of Worcester (Steve), Patricia Morrissey of West Boylston, Kevin Morrissey of Rochdale (Nicole), Paul Cesaitis of Worcester (Cynthia), Robert Cesaitis of Millbury, (Eileen), Gary Cesaitis of Worcester; his siblings: Ann Petricca of Clinton, Mary Morrissey of Worcester, Joseph Morrissey (Nancy) of N.C.; sisters in law, Carolann Morrissey of Hamden, CT and Jean Morrissey of Shrewsbury. He leaves over 70+ grandchildren and great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren and friends (too numerous to name individually) who loved and will miss him very much.

He was predeceased by his sons, Daniel Morrissey Jr. and Joseph Cesaitis; daughter, Julie A. Morrissey; brothers, Edward Morrissey, John Morrissey; his sisters, Helen Morrissey, and Sheila Smith; brothers in law, Donald Smith and Carl Petricca; granddaughters, Sarah and Kelly; grandsons, Michael and David.

Daniel was a fan of all Boston and New England Sports. He was in his glory to live long enough to see the Boston Red Sox win the World Series, Boston Celtics to win many championships and the New England Patriots to win many Super Bowls. He was a member of the Hilltoppers Sportsman Club, the AOH (Ancient Order of Hibernians), the Knights of Columbus and the Tatnuck Post #288.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Danny's life with visiting hours on Monday, May 16th from 5 until 7pm at Callahan, Fay & Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle St. Worcester. A funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, May 17th at 11am in St. Bernard's Church, 228 Lincoln St. burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, 260 Cambridge St., Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that you consider doing a random act of kindness in his honor, or a donation to charity of the donors choosing. To leave an online condolence please visit our website at www.callahanfay.com.