Joseph Michael Oess passed away on February 2, 2021 after a brief hospital stay. He was 73 years old and left behind a legacy of people who love him. He joins his wife, Margaret Ann Merk, who preceded him in death in 2014. He is survived by his daughters; Katie Oess (Tommy Vannoy), Carrie Marques (Carlo) of Vero Beach and his son, Steve Oess (Meg) of Little Falls, New Jersey. Joe has six grandchildren, Belle, Matthew, Kellan, Noelle, Max and Maggie, all of whom he was very proud. You would not have to talk to Joe long before he would subtly mention how smart each of his grandchildren are!

Joe was born in 1947 in Toledo, Ohio to parents (deceased) Bob and Mary Oess. He attended St. Francis de Sales High School and Xavier University, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in business. Joe loved all things basketball and volunteered to announce the Vero Beach High School basketball games for almost 20 years. A good night for Joe was a basketball game and visit to Bobby's with Coach Chuck Loewendick and friends to talk sports after the game. He was an ardent fan of college and Xavier basketball and the highlight of each year was Musketeers' games and March Madness.

He also leaves siblings Mimi Schwartz of Holden, Massachusetts, Bob Oess (Colleen) of Cambridge, Ohio and Margie Goebel (Rick), Golden Colorado and a host of beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Catholic Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach at 10 am on Friday, February 12, 2021. Memorial contributions in Joe's name may be made to the Vero Beach High School Athletic Association in support of the boys' basketball program. Online condolences may be sent at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com