Michael F. Morrissey Esq.

Mike Morrissey passed away at the age of 86 on September 20, 2018 surrounded by his family. A funeral mass will be held at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 5100 W. Evans Ave., Denver at 11:30 AM on Friday, October 5, 2018. A graveside service will be at 3:15 PM at Fort Logan National Cemetery (Staging Area C), 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd., Denver. There will be a vewing at 6:00 PM Thursday, October 4th at Horan & McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, and prior to the funeral from 11:00. The reception location will be announced after the mass.

Mike was born on April 18, 1932 in Denver to Thomas J. Morrissey and Marie Hyland Morrissey, both Denver natives. Mike attended Blessed Sacrament School, Regis High School and the University of Denver School of Business Administration. He served as a United States Marine lieutenant in Japan and Korea from 1953 to 1955. After his discharge from the Marines, Mike attended the University of Denver College of Law from 1955 to 1958 and practiced law in Colorado for fifty years. Mike founded the firm Morrissey and Morrissey, first partnering with his father, Tom, and later his son, Michael. Aside from his legendary, colorful courtroom manner Mike established an innovative and enduring legal practice.

A few highlights of Mike's legal career include:

• President of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association from 1961 to 1962.
• Member of the Golden Barristers Society at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
• Honored by the Colorado Bar Association for 50 years in the legal profession.

An enthusiastic Democrat, Mike was involved in politics throughout his life. In 1947, Mike campaigned when his father ran for Mayor of Denver against Ben Stapleton and Quigg Newton. While still in law school in 1958, Mike was elected to the Colorado State House of Representatives as a Democrat representing Denver. In 1977, Mike ran for Mayor of the City of Lakewood. Beginning in 2004, he campaigned for his son, Mitchell, in three elections for Denver District Attorney. His flamboyant style and wit made him a favorite with the press.

Mike married Eileen Singer on March 7, 1955 and they had six children. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eileen, sons Mitchell (Maggie), Michael (Candice), Marcus (Stephanie); two daughters Michaela and Marcella, 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Mike was preceded in death by his son Martin T. Morrissey, and two sisters, Patricia Morrissey Kelly and Kathryn Morrissey Shelly.

Visitation: October 4, 2018 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - SW Denver/Lakewood
3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Lakewood, CO 80227

Funeral Mass: October 5, 2018 11:30 am

Notre Dame Catholic Church
2190 S. Sheridan Blvd.
Denver, CO 80219

Graveside Service: October 5, 2018 3:15 pm

Fort Logan National Cemetery
3698 South Sheridan Boulevard
Denver, CO 80236
(303) 761-0117
https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftlogan.asp