age 81, of McGuirk’s Little Ireland in Bonne Terre, Missouri, passed away on June 14, 2018, surrounded by the love of his family.
Born on October 2, 1936, Joseph, known to his family as “Green Grandpa”, was one of twelve siblings in the large, loving McGuirk family. As he grew, he developed a passion for baseball, finding his niche on the field itself and in rooting on the St. Louis Cardinals and (admittedly) the Chicago Cubs. A self-taught artist, Joseph was able to capture with pencil, watercolor, and oil on canvas the beauty of the world around him, and in 2006, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of having an art show featuring his masterpieces. Joseph was a book binder by trade and passed along his work ethic to his children, sharing his pride in each of them with anyone who would listen. After retirement, if he wasn’t glued to his television watching the almighty Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team, he could be found walking in his garden, fishing on the lake, or sitting on his patio, engaged in a heated debate or bragging about his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. All walks of life were welcome at McGuirk’s Little Ireland, and over the years, Joseph taught all friends and family who entered under its branched archway how to fish, how to boat, how to laugh, and, most importantly, how to love.
Joseph is survived by seven of his beloved children from his marriage to Margaret (née Gamewell): Catherine Richardson, Patricia (Steven) Reed, Joseph (Phillis) McGuirk, Margaret (Gregory) Wolfmeyer, Maureen (Charles) Dalton, Michael (Carey) McGuirk, and Thomas Christopher (Sharon) McGuirk; his fifteen treasured grandchildren: Eric Richardson, Kimberly (Casey) Lawson, Angela (Eric) Portwood, Matthew McGuirk, Amanda (Matthew) Basch, Justin (Danielle) McGuirk, Sarah Dalton, Charles Dalton III, Sean McGuirk, Donovan McGuirk, Sarah Mc-Guirk, Emma McGuirk, Brandon McGuirk, Maison McGuirk, and Scott Herpers; and his fourteen cherished great-grandchildren: Alivia Reed, Mary Daigle, Shelbi Lawson, Aidan Lawson, Daniel Reed, Priscilla (aka Molly) Portwood, Anabell Portwood, Isabell Portwood, Caden McGuirk, Kylin McGuirk, Briley McGuirk, Kelton McGuirk, Rory Basch, and Ava Basch. He is also survived by four of his siblings: John (Norma) McGuirk, Thomas (Joyce) McGuirk, Teresa Brakefield, and Lily (Joseph) Taylor.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, George McGuirk and Bridget (née McCullom) McGuirk; his siblings: Mary Wilson, Vincent McGuirk, George (aka Bubby) McGuirk, Jim McGuirk, Anthony McGuirk, Patrick McGuirk, and Anna Marie McGuirk; his son, Scott Herpers, of his marriage to Rosalie (née Palazzolo); and his dearest friend Bill O’Shea.
Celebrations of the life of Leprechaun Joe will be held as follows: Visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, June 22, 2018 and from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at Kutis Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois Rd., Affton, Missouri 63123. Services to be held at 10:00 a.m. at Kutis, with graveside services to be held at 2:00 p.m. at Wagner Cemetery in Salem, Missouri, where his body will find its final resting spot. Those who knew him and loved him will find his spirit in every arching rainbow, every ripened garden tomato, every fish-filled lake, and every green shamrock. As Joseph signed off on each card, letter, or personal encounter: Erin Ga Bragh!