A funeral service and Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph “Joe” Colarusso Jr., 77, of Bettendorf, will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Bettendorf, with a luncheon to follow. A livestream of the mass may be viewed by visiting Joseph’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com. Following the mass and luncheon, burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, with a time to share your favorite memories of Joe starting at 6 pm.
Mr. Colarusso passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospital after battling complications of a severe hemorrhagic stroke.
Joseph Vincent Colarusso Jr. was born September 17, 1948, in Millbury, MA, to Joseph and Loraine (Richard) Colarusso. He graduated from Millbury Memorial High School in 1966. He attended Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston before earning his degree in aeronautical engineering at Arizona State University in 1970. After graduating, he began his 40-year career working for the federal government, during which he lived all over the U.S. and spent 7 years living in Germany. He met his wife Jennifer Wich while they were both working at the Rock Island Arsenal, and they were married on February 16, 1992. They were married for 30 years until she preceded him in death in 2022. Joe and Jennifer had two daughters: Jori and Jacqueline. Being their father was his greatest joy, and he was endlessly proud of them.
Joe lived a life marked by enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication. He was a hardworking man of many talents, always eager to learn and determined to excel in whatever he set his mind to.
A skilled woodworker, Joe spent many hours in his workshop, carefully crafting projects with patience and pride. He had a passion for bicycling, enjoying the freedom and strength it brought him. Cooking, particularly Italian cuisine, was another of his joys, and he delighted in preparing elaborate meals for family and friends. Cars and Formula 1 racing were among his greatest interests. He admired the precision and excitement of the sport and carried that same attention to detail into his own work and projects. A true do-it-yourselfer, he approached challenges with determination and creativity.
Joe was selfless, passionate, affectionate, and had a childlike spirit that made him a wonderful father. He was a loyal and generous friend to many. His goofy sense of humor and contagious laughter brightened the day of anyone’s path he crossed.
Those left to carry his memory include his daughters Jori (James) Larew of Iowa City, Jacqueline Colarusso of Chicago; grandson Joseph “Joey” Larew and a granddaughter on the way; sister Mary (Frank) Benjaminsen of Northborough, MA; brother Rick (Mary Beth) Colarusso of Millbury; companion Vicki Rasmussen of Bettendorf; and many loving extended family members and friends.
The family would like to thank Joe’s caregivers of the past few months, especially Amber and Faith.
Memorials may be made to the family for future dedication.
Online remembrances may be expressed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
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