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Joseph Ryan Esses

Visitation Date: Friday, May 24, 2024
Visitation Time: 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Salerno's Rosedale
Funeral Date: Saturday, May 25th, 2024
Funeral Time: 10:45 am
Place of Funeral: St. Isidore Church
Funeral Notes: Please meet directly at the Church for Mass.
Interment: St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery

Joseph Ryan Esses passed away suddenly on May 14, 2024, at the age of 26. Joe was born May 29, 1997, to proud parents Morris and Michele (McCarthy) Esses in Chicago, Illinois. No words adequately describe their love and pride for Joe which only grew stronger and stronger through the years. Joe was a well-educated young man. He began his education at St. Isidore where he attended grade school. He graduated from Streamwood High School Class of 2015 where he was repeatedly voted Student Body President by his peers. He continued a family tradition of attending the University of Nebraska where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. During this time, he also studied abroad at Oxford University. Joe proudly served as the Venerable Dean of the Acacia Fraternity in Lincoln. It was here that he was named the Chapter President of the Year by the UNL Interfraternity Council and where he found some of his dearest friends and memories. Joe forever will remain a proud member of Husker Nation. Joe went on to earn his Master’s degree of Business Administration at Northern Illinois University as well as a Juris Doctorate from the Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law at Arizona State University. Joe and his family took extra pride in the fact both advanced degrees were awarded the same week in May of 2022 from two different universities. Joe’s professional career was nothing short of remarkable for a man of only 26 years. He was a driven individual who envisioned a dream, set a plan, and saw it through until his goal was achieved. Joe, being an avid sports fan and believing the philosophy of Wayne Gretzky, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”, got his first sought after job at 12 years of age umpiring Little League baseball. During his undergrad years he started as an intern with the USHL- Lincoln Stars Hockey Team and by the time he graduated he had become Director of Game Day Operations with the organization. Always a juggler, at the same time Joe was also a Market Researcher for the Nebraska Council on Economic Education and sold drones for Sideline Power LLC. During his first semester of grad school, he was a Marketing Associate for Da Chicago Bears during their 100th Season. He then began a position with NCAA Legal Compliance for Northern Illinois University Athletics. The next major goal Joe reached for and accomplished was working as an intern for the United Nations Development Programme followed by being part of the In-House Legal Department for Cameo. After law school, and passing the Bar on his first attempt, Joe was excited to become a Corporate Attorney for the Gordon Law Group. Here he valued his colleagues, continued to learn, and grew as an attorney. He had plans to begin his dream job next week as Corporate Council and Director at TouchTunes. Despite all the major professional accomplishments Joe attained in his short life, his biggest success was being the type of person everyone was drawn to. Joe’s quick-wit, charisma, sense of humor, loyalty, generous nature, and occasional wild streak made it possible for him to walk into any room and make a friend. It is these traits and Joe’s huge heart that will be forever missed by all who loved him. Joe was at the pinnacle of both his professional and personal life. He was looking forward to spending forever with his soulmate and “Queen”, Mackenzie Morgan. Mackenzie and Joe had a type of love that most don’t get to experience in this lifetime. They were simply meant for each other. Joe leaves behind fiancé Mackenzie Morgan, his parents Morris and Michele Esses, his brother Matthew Esses, and his Grandfather Patrick McCarthy. He is further survived by his uncle Michael Esses, his aunt Debbie Perelgut, his aunt & uncle Renee and Terry Dederich, and aunt & uncle Stephanie and Jacob McCarthy-Wondercheck. His broken-hearted cousins include Marc Esses, Jackie Samuels, Joe’s Goddaughter Lillian Dederich, Bryce Wondercheck, and Joe’s Godson Gabriel Wondercheck. Additionally, Joe will be missed by his countless friends he loved so dearly. Joe was preceded in death by his grandparents Marc & Cecile Esses and Mary McCarthy. Visitation will take place on Friday May 24 from 3-9 pm at Salerno’s Rosedale Chapel located at 450 W Lake Street in Roselle, IL. A funeral mass will be held at St. Isidore Catholic Church located at 427 W Army Trail Road in Bloomingdale, IL on Saturday May 25 at 10:45 am. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Danny Did Foundation which offers support to victims of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy or to the UNL Acacia scholarship fund in Joe’s honor.

Funeral Home

Salerno's Rosedale Chapels

Phone: (630) 889-1700
Address: 450 W. Lake Street Roselle IL, 60172

Church Details

St. Isidore Church

Phone: (630) 529-3045
Address: 427 W Army Trail Rd. Bloomingdale IL, 60108
Service Date: May 25th 2024
Funeral Time: 10:45 am

Interment Details

St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery

Address: 1185 W. Algonquin Rd. Palatine Illinois, 60067

Guestbook


Posted by:
Menoni

Posted on:
Sunday, May 26, 2024

What a remarkable young man!!! We know McKenzie and how wonderful she is! They were a power couple!!! Our hearts ache for McKenzie and all family and friends! Debbie and Mike Menoni❤️

Posted by:
John Gallione

Posted on:
Saturday, May 25, 2024

I am forever grateful to have gotten to know Joe. He’ll live on forever in our hearts and we will honor him in our lives.

Posted by:
Dan and Jennifer Schwichtenberg

Posted on:
Friday, May 24, 2024

Our heartfelt condolences to the Esses family and Joe’s fiancé for this tragic loss. I can’t remember a day at SIS when I saw Joe and he didn’t have a smile on his face! And all of his amazing achievements! We will keep your family in our prayers. Dan and Jen

Posted by:
Michael Lingl

Posted on:
Thursday, May 23, 2024

It was my privilege to meet Joe when he started High School. It was amazing to watch him grow into an outstanding man. He was always positive, fun and driven. The goals and accomplishments he had were incredible, plus Joe had the innate ability to enjoy life as well. Joe has made me re-evaluate my goals and ambitions in life, realizing that so much can be attained with the right attitude. My thoughts and prayers are with his family/friends during this difficult time. A donation at the Danny Did Foundation was made in Joe's honor.

Posted by:
Stacey Nelson

Posted on:
Thursday, May 23, 2024

My condolences to the Esses family. I am so sorry for your loss. Joe was able to do so many wonderful things is his life. He has left so many wonderful memories for you to enjoy.

Posted by:
Lisa Lewis

Posted on:
Thursday, May 23, 2024

Condolences to the Esses family. Let fond memories sustain you during this time.

Posted by:
George Shakro

Posted on:
Monday, May 20, 2024

In my short time knowing Joe, I want to share our friendship and the kindness he showed me together at Gordon Law. I only really have gotten to know Joe since he graduated law school in 2022. Upon meeting him, it was an almost immediate friendship. Joe was sharp as an arrow at all times and had the work ethic of an ox. We loved working on projects together where he’d jokingly call me the “Tax Man” while I picked his brain on corporate law issues. We’d wait for the other person to get in the office before we got our morning coffee so we could have a quick chat about the Bears or one of our wacky clients before starting our days. His smile and laugh were so contagious. I always wanted to make him laugh because it gave me such joy and helped me get through the day. He didn’t tell me he got a new job the week before he left us but made sure that we went out for lunch one last time before he left. To his parents, you raised such a great son. And to Mackenzie, you couldn’t have picked a better man. And finally to Joe, fly high and hopefully we’ll meet again some day.

Posted by:
Frank Custable

Posted on:
Saturday, May 18, 2024

Joe was always so funny, smart, and knew sports like nobody else I knew. I feel blessed to have had Joe apart of my life during my St. Isidore years. He was such a great guy and I know he will be missed dearly. My deepest condolences to the Esses family & Joe’s fiancé.

Posted by:
Michael Brandwein

Posted on:
Friday, May 17, 2024

Joe was a wonderful person and we will all miss him dearly. His infectious upbeat nature was a blessing to us all. As sad as it is to say goodbye, I will remember the time we spent together fondly. My condolences go out to his family and friends as we say goodbye too soon to such a great, kind person. We will miss you, Joe, but you will never be forgotten.

Posted by:
Alisa Lerario

Posted on:
Friday, May 17, 2024

I am so happy to have such great memories with Joe from St. Isidore. He was always making all of us laugh and was kind to everyone. My heart is broken for Joe’s family. Sending so many prayers and blessings.

Posted by:
Jeanne Leix

Posted on:
Thursday, May 16, 2024

Such a wonderful person. You were my first Lazar Wolf at SIS. God watch over Joe.

Posted by:
Cyndi Collins

Posted on:
Thursday, May 16, 2024

Words cannot express my sadness hearing of Joe's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family - especially Michele and Morris, Matt and Joe's fiance. He was an amazing young man - so smart and so filled with joy. He had a great sense of humor and was a pleasure to have in our school. I knew he was going to excell as he grew older and would make a difference in this world. He was such a unique kid and will never be forgotten. May the angels carry him into paradise.

Posted by:
fran mascari mascari

Posted on:
Thursday, May 16, 2024

My heart pours out to all you Esses family and friends. Joe was part of our St Isidore family and was a joy-bringer to all. I always thought when he smiled, which was OFTEN, he seemed like he knew something the rest of us didn't, and he probably did. We all knew he would be an achiever, because even as a young kid, he was... in charge 🙂 I'm looking forward to hearing how he changed the world, because I know he did, even in his short time. He is probably smiling still, as he's caused his classmates to reunite in his name. What a beautiful imprint he made to all those who knew him!