Joseph Ryan Esses

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.