The Loyola Institute for Ministry lost a beloved faculty member last week. 

Joe Giarrusso, Jr., passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 12. Giarrusso was an adjunct faculty member with the Loyola Institute for Ministry and most recently taught a course this past summer.

Giarrusso led a long life and career in the legal field, serving as magistrate for the Orleans Criminal Court and as an attorney associated with the McGlinchey Stafford law firm. Along with helping to create the domestic violence section of Criminal District Court, his focus included the subjects of domestic violence, professionalism and legal ethics. Giarrusso also served the community as a faith leader. For almost twenty years, he served as the director of adult religious education at St. Dominic Parish in New Orleans. He taught religious courses to adults focusing on the subjects of prayer and Christian spirituality. Giarrusso also served as retreat director and regularly organized retreats at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Ga. as well as in the

Archdiocese of New Orleans. Giarrusso graduated from Loyola with a Master of Pastoral Studies degree in 1985, and in 2007 he received a specialized certificate in Christian spirituality from the Loyola Pastoral Life center.

Giarrusso was a regular adjunct faculty member, teaching courses in criminal justice, spirituality and marketplace ministry for the College of Social Sciences and the Loyola Pastoral Life Center.

“I am so grateful to Joe for his joyful and giving spirit and for his many gifts to the Church, the city of New Orleans, Loyola and me,” said Thomas Ryan, director of the Loyola Institute for Ministry.

“I pray for God’s blessings on him, his family, his friends and us, who so grieve his loss,” says Ryan.

Services for Giarrusso were held Saturday, Sept. 15 at St. Dominic Church, where he served for several years.

Giarrusso leaves behind his wife, civil district Judge Robin M. Giarrusso and children Joseph and Courtney, and he will be missed by the Loyola community.

Eric Knoepfler can be reached at [email protected]