Joseph R. Soraghan

Soraghan, Joseph R.

Fortified with the Sacraments of the Holy Mother Church, died Oct. 26, 2023 at the age of 82, peacefully and surrounded by family.

He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia (nee Chesley) Soraghan, his brother, Tom Soraghan, his son Mike Soraghan and daughter-in-law Jessica Tefft-Soraghan, as well as his granddaughters, Savannah Soraghan and Harper Soraghan.

He was preceded in death by his brother Terrence Soraghan and sister Julia Tecu, his mother Julia Lillian Soraghan and father Joseph P. Soraghan.

His was a life worth celebrating.

He was born Dec. 13, 1940 in St. Louis, and graduated from Bishop DuBourg High School. He received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering at Purdue University in 1962. He switched to law, graduating with honors and Order of the Coif from the Washington University School of Law. He received an LL.M., an advanced law degree, from the Yale University School of Law in 1966.

After law school, he served in the U.S. Navy aboard submarines. After three years of active duty, he remained in the Naval Reserve for more than 20 years. He served as commanding officer of six reserve commands and retired at the rank of captain.

After his active duty service, he practiced law for many years, specializing in securities and small business law. In recent years, he studied the development of crowdfunding and the law around cryptocurrency. He was a principal at Danna McKitrick in St. Louis.

Later in life, he discovered his love of teaching, becoming an adjunct professor of securities law at his alma mater, the Washington University School of Law.

An experienced litigator and arbitrator, he was also a mediator. He mediated for federal and state courts, and served on the mediation and arbitration panels of the American Arbitration Association and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

He was the founding director, secretary, and president of the Missouri Venture Forum. He was active in the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, serving as vice president and in other leadership roles.

Athletics were a fundamental aspect of his life. He competed for many years in the Senior Games and served as director and treasurer of the National Senior Games Association. He ran track and played football in high school. He devoted many of his weekends as an adult to softball, and was an original member of the volunteer Ski Patrol at the Hidden Valley Resort in Eureka.

He was a former director and secretary of the Children's Home Society of Missouri (now part of FamilyForward). He was also very active in the Navy League of the United States, St. Louis chapter, serving as president and secretary. At the time of his death he was vice president of legal affairs and judge advocate.

He also served his hometown, the city of Kirkwood. He was a member of the Board of Adjustment from 1986 to 1977, serving as chair from 1989 to 1996. He served on the Planning and Zoning Commission from 1999 to 2010,

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to FamilyForward, or the charity of your choice.

Services: Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday Nov. 6 at Bopp Chapel, 10610 Manchester Road, Kirkwood, MO., 63122. The event will include remarks and remembrances at 6 p.m. A funeral mass will be said at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Kirkwood. A reception and light luncheon will be held nearby afterward. A private burial will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.