Fr. Joseph C. Cox

PORTAGE  —  Father Joseph Charles Cox, age 93, peacefully breathed his last breath on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at his Tivoli home in Portage, WI. Joseph was born in Janesville, WI on October 15, 1922, the son of Charles Edward and Catherine Elizabeth (Crowley) Cox. After attending Nativity of Mary elementary school at the age of twelve he entered St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, WI. He received his BA degree in Philosophy in 1944 as he continued his studies and preparations for the Catholic priesthood.

Nearly seventy years ago, Bishop William Patrick O’Connor ordained three young deacons at St. Raphael Cathedral in Madison, WI. on June 8, 1946. Father Cox was the first priest ordained in this newly formed diocese. Thus he holds “Number 1” on his credentials.

The following places were blessed to have Father Cox as their priest:
1946 – 1953, St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison, associate pastor,
1953—1967  St. Ann, Stoughton, as well as founding pastor of
St. Pius X, Cambridge, 1955—1961;
1967—1969, Immaculate Conception, Boscobel,
1969—1979, St. Aloysius, Sauk City,
1979—1997  St. Mary of the Most Holy Rosary, Pardeeville and 
St. Andrew, Buffalo Township
1997—2010  Divine Savior Nursing Home, celebrating Eucharist
bi-weekly for residents and staff.

On January 3, 2011, Fr. Cox was the first (1st) resident in Father Jordon’s assisted living area at Tivoli, Divine Savior Healthcare Center. In April 2013 he was transferred into the Nursing Home Area.

Father Cox was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Father William E. Cox, his sisters and their spouses Roberta and Willard Agnew, Ruth and LeRoy McCoy. His nieces and nephews will dearly miss their uncle, as well as, the people that walked with, supported and cared for Father Cox during his life.

Throughout his years of priestly ministry many parishioners, co-workers, nieces, nephews and friends, for various reasons, held Father Cox as # 1 in their book of life. Father Cox was not only a faithful dedicated priest, but also a gifted generous man, a talented athlete, creative photographer, accomplished ice skater, camper, hiker, carpenter, and an Irish tenor with a deep appreciation of music. In other words, he lived and celebrated LIFE to the nth degree, a true Irish Gentle Man.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at St Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 309 W. Cook St.  in Portage. The Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison Diocese, will officiate and Father Jerome J. Maksvytis will be the homilist. Burial will be at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Janesville. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the church.

In lieu of flowers donations may be given to the Eco-Justice Center for spring needs and garden seeds, 7133 Michna Road, Racine, WI 53402, a sponsored ministry of the Racine Dominican Sisters.

The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family and friends.