February 22, 1958 – November 30, 2023
Michael “Jim” Moriarity, age 65 of Lansing, Illinois, peacefully passed away on November 30, 2023. His endless wit and wisdom will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Monna; his beloved children Michael (Angela) Moriarity, Megan (Drew) Troppito, and Molly (Alex) Moriarity Valdez; and his six grandchildren whom he adored more than life itself: Jackson, Connor, and Barrett Moriarity, Mackenzie and Jordan Troppito, and Santiago Valdez.
Jim enjoyed attending church every Sunday with his mother Gerry, loved sharing a craft beer with his sister Colleen (Doug) Latos, and from a distance would send love to his sister Cathleen (Wayne) Noll and brothers Patrick (Cristina) Moriarity and Daniel Moriarity. Jim always enjoyed family gatherings, including those with his extended Marich family as well as 11 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Michael James Moriarity, nephew Jeffrey Noll, and in-laws Frank and Joan Marich.
Jim was a 1976 graduate and football player at Thornton Fractional North High School in Calumet City, Illinois. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps stationed at Camp Pendleton in California. He was a motorcycle aficionado, and following military service he rode from California to Lansing with the love of his life, Monna.
After a successful 30-year career as a mechanical design engineer in the railroad industry, Jim retired in February 2023. He holds several patents and traveled the world designing train brakes. To his family though, he wasn’t just an engineer — he was the person you could call to fix anything.
He was an avid Chicago Bears, Bulls, and White Sox fan. But nothing brought him more joy than coaching his own children in basketball. He coached for more than 10 years at Coolidge Elementary School and Lan-Oak Park District in Lansing.
Jim’s greatest accomplishment in life was his children and grandchildren. He was so proud as he watched them grow, learn, and successfully navigate the challenges of life. He was a kid at heart and never hesitated to play basketball, build elaborate Play-Doh creations, make cannonball splashes in the pool, or give big “Bubba” hugs.
Join us in celebrating Jim’s life on Sunday, December 10, from 1 – 4 p.m. — with a service at 3:30 p.m. — at Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home, 3227 Ridge Rd in Lansing. Expect to see a family slide show and Bears football. Jim will be laid to rest with a private burial at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Heart Association or Pet Profile Rescue from where his favorite granddog was adopted.
