John R. Pusey passed away Saturday, August 26, 2023 at his home, peacefully in his sleep.
He was born June 2, 1942, in Bellefontaine, Ohio, to Ned A. Pusey and Rosemary Hughes Pusey. He is survived by Patricia, his wife of 54 years and by their three children: John H. Pusey and Monica of Seattle, WA; Regan and Ryan Mulcahy of Milton, MA; and Kate and Tom Whitworth of Chicago, IL. Their seven grandchildren are Claire and James Pusey; Mary and Colin Mulcahy; and Lane, Will, and Patrick Whitworth. Also surviving are John’s brother and sister-in-law Ned and Eva Pusey of Homosassa, FL, and sister and brother-in-law Julie and Jock Richardson of Cincinnati, OH. He also is remembered by several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He graduated from Bellefontaine High School in1960 and received the principal nomination to the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. He joined the corps of cadets on July 1,1960, but soon the rigors of the Academy took their toll and he aggravated an old knee injury, resulting in being sent home with a medical discharge.
He then enrolled at the University of Notre Dame, from which he graduated cum laude in 1965. He stayed for law school and was a moot court finalist, graduating in 1968. After being admitted to the Illinois bar he joined the Peoria firm of Vonachen, Lawless, Trager and Slevin where he practiced law for over fifty years serving as an associate, partner, and later counselor.
He was a member of the Peoria County Bar Association for many years and served a term as president. He also served on many of its committees, including the entertainment committee that allowed him to emcee the annual holiday show for 20 years. He was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and the Appellate Lawyers Association, on whose board he served. He was a frequent author and lecturer at state and local legal education programs. He was also an adjunct lecturer at Illinois Central College in the areas of business law and family law.
Long active in the delivery of pro bono legal services, he served two terms as president of Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. and was a member of the advisory board of the local office. From the state office he received the McAndrews Award, and from the local office he received the Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year award and the Heroes for Justice lifetime achievement award.
He was a board member and past president of the Illinois Valley Mental Health Association, the Peoria Area University of Notre Dame Club from which he received the Person of the Year award in 1978, the St. Thomas Parish Council, and the High Point Homeowners Association.
He participated in the Peoria Cursillo and was a past rector. He and his wife were active in Marriage Encounter, and served a term as president couple. In their retirement years they have enjoyed serving the needy of the community through the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Thomas Church.
John enjoyed rooting for his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting activities and academic achievements, cheering for the Chicago Cubs, Bradley and ICC basketball teams, and all University of Notre Dame teams. He considered his golf game to be fairly lousy, although he did once hit a hole-in-one, but his flabbergasted partner dumped his tee shot into a pond and the two did not win any money on the hole. He was an avid reader of all types of material; he and Pat participated in a book discussion group for over fifty years.
He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, neighbor and friend, known for his wit and humor, honesty and kindness.
The family is grateful for the care given to John by the Peoria medical community and for the many unknown blood donors who gave of themselves to help him for the past two years. We encourage anyone who is able to do so to donate blood, which is needed by so many patients in the Peoria area.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, August 31, at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Further visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, September 1. Funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. at the Church. Msgr. Jason Gray and Fr. Michael Schaab will co-celebrate and burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Peoria, IL.
Memorial donations may be made payable to the St. Vincent De Paul Society and sent to St. Thomas Church, 904 E. Lake Avenue, Peoria Heights, 61614.
Friends and family may view full obituary and sign the online guestbook by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.
