On September 15, 2020, Joseph Edward Geoghan, loving husband, father and grandfather, died peacefully at Innisfree, his home on Shinnecock Bay in Hampton Bays, New York at the age of 83 surrounded by his family.

Joe was born on May 26, 1937 as the only child of Joseph Edward Geoghan and Margaret (Degnan) Geoghan in New York, New York.  He graduated from Saint John's University in 1959 with a Bachelor's degree in business and received a law degree from Fordham Law School in 1964.

He spent his entire professional career with Union Carbide Corporation, starting in the mail room in 1957. After graduation from law school in 1964, he joined their legal department. He served in various positions within the corporation's law department, including as chief international counsel, assistant general counsel and deputy general counsel. He was promoted to vice president and general counsel in 1987. In 1990, he was elected to the corporation's Board of Directors.

Joe retired from Union Carbide in December 1998 to devote time to his true passion: the service of others. He dedicated his life to important social justice causes, the promotion of Catholic education and ministries, and his family.

Joe's deep faith shaped his life. A crusader, champion and knight of the Roman Catholic church, he worked tirelessly to help those in need and to preserve Catholic education and ministries. For the last thirty years, he acted as a formal advisor to the dioceses in the metropolitan area on financial and strategic planning, development, and education. In 1996, he helped to found the Alive in Hope Foundation. The foundation's goal is to financially support the spiritual, educational and social needs of the surrounding community. Through his leadership and dedication, the foundation raised over sixty million dollars for Catholic ministry services throughout Brooklyn and Queens. He recently retired as the foundation's Chairman of the Board. He has been a member of the Brooklyn Diocesan Finance Council since its inception in the late 1980's. In 2005, he commissioned and chaired an education foundation for the Diocese of Rockville Center. The Tomorrow's Hope Foundation formed through this commission to provide scholarship and support to Catholic elementary schools on Long Island.

In 2002, Joe was made a knight of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II in recognition of his service to the Holy See and the Roman Catholic Church.  In 2005, he was again granted knighthood, becoming a knight of the Holy Sepulchre.

Joe was very proud of his Irish American heritage. He loved Irish history, traditions and music. He was an original member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and a board member of the Society of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick in New York.  In 2019, he was honored as Chief Brehon of the Great Irish Fair of Coney Island.

Since graduating in 1964, Joe has been an ardent supporter and benefactor of Fordham Law School. He firmly believed in the school's great spirit and mission of educating lawyers committed to lead in the service of others. Joe has served as a director of the Fordham Law Alumni Association and the Fordham Corporate Counsel Association.  In 1997, he received Fordham Law's Richard S. Bennett Memorial Award and, in 2010, the Fordham Law Alumni Association Medal of Achievement. In 2016, he received the law school's Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded to someone who embodies the highest ideals of excellence and service for others.

Joe volunteered and served on the boards of numerous other not-for-profit and community organizations, including as the director of the Community Development Corporation of Long Island, the Advisory Board of Brooklyn Legal Services, and as a director of the International Surgical Mission Support, Inc. All of his not-for-profit work centered on helping the marginalized, the poor and those in need.

Joe was loved by many. Always described as warm and humble, his integrity and moral compass were a model to emulate for everyone. He was a great defender and supporter of anyone who needed him. His large circle of family and friends were cloaked in his deep and endless love.  His greatest joy was spending time with his extended family in New York City and at his home on Shinnecock Bay. His bride of 59 years, Kathleen Normile Geoghan, was the absolute love of his life. Together, they filled their home and lives with love and joy.

Joe is survived by his wife, Kathleen Normile Geoghan, his five children Margaret Sullivan, Johanna (Christopher) Magovern, Mary (William) Scheurer, Joseph Edward (DeAnne) Geoghan, III and Daniel F.X. (Constance) Geoghan, as well as 14 grandchildren, all of whom considered him their hero.

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, September 18, 2020 from 4PM to 8PM at R. J. O'Shea's funeral home located at 94 East Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, New York.  A mass of Resurrection will be held at Saint Rosalie's Church on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at 12 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Joe to the Geoghan Family Scholarship Fund at Fordham Law School. Contributions may be made online at Geoghan Family Scholarship Fund at Fordham Law School or by calling (212)-636-6529.