Carl Richard Morrissey

Carl Richard Morrissey returned home to our Lord on Monday, October 2nd, 2023. He passed peacefully surrounded by his family and friends. A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 900 NE Shady Lane Dr, Kansas City, MO 64118.  Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 p.m. Lunch will be served after Mass in Borromeo Hall.

Carl was born October 18th, 1943, in Kansas City, Missouri to Tom and Nellie (Gentile) Morrissey. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Tommy Leonard, uncle Leonard Gentile, his infant daughters Carol Jo and Anita Jo, in-laws Vincent and Mary (Schaivo) Piraro, and brother-in-law Salvatore Piraro.  Carl is survived by his wife of 55 years, Theresa Piraro Morrissey, daughters Anna Marie Morrissey (Raymond P Bond Jr) and Carol Ann Morrissey, two granddaughters, Lauren Turner and Alyssa Turner, brother-in-law Vincent Piraro, niece Ciana Piraro, and three handsome grand dogs, Gus, Leo, and Krewe.

He graduated “with honors” from Westport High School and joined the United States Navy. He served on the USS Pivot (minesweeper) as a Third-Class Engineman from 1964 to 1966 during the Vietnam conflict. He was a proud member of Pipefitters Union Local 533 for 55 years working for US Engineering and P1 Group. Any of the pipefitters who worked with Carl knew he was a man of integrity and a hard worker – he took pride in all his work.  Carl was a member of the pipefitting team that worked to create the steam “flame” atop the Liberty Memorial.  This flame symbolizes the sacrifice of those who served in World War I and all veterans who served thereafter.  He finished his career working on the construction of Saint Luke’s East Hospital in Lee’s Summit, MO.  Carl was proud of the fact that his daughter Carol Ann and granddaughter Alyssa Turner began their careers where he ended his, at Saint Luke’s.

Those who knew Carl, know he always stayed busy.  He had a love of classic cars.  He loved his fully restored 1956 Chevy, Thursday night card games, fixing anything that was broken-or not broken and music of the CD variety played on a disc-man.  

The family would like to thank the caregivers of Saint Luke’s Hospice for making Carl comfortable during his final days.

Pallbearers will be Jerry Kaufmann and Bob Tinder.  Honorary pallbearers are Bob Biagioli, Bob Neigid, Dave Stine, Don Ranville, Freddie Sutton, John Delgado, Vincent Piraro and Vincent Mannino.

Carl donated his Chevrolet Silverado work truck to the Wounded Warrior Project. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his honor to https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org or Saint Luke’s Home Care and Hospice https://www.saintlukeskc.org/saint-lukes-foundation.