Longtime Muskingum County Judge Passes Away

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Judge Joseph A. Gormley passed away Wednesday at the age of 75. Gormley had been practicing law in Muskingum County since 1965.

Judge Gormley was born in Zanesville, Ohio on July 7, 1940 to the late Joseph and Mildred Gormley. He graduated from Zanesville High School in 1958, and from Ohio State University in 1962, and then went on to receive his Juris Doctorate in 1965 from OSU. He was assistant prosecuting attorney for Muskingum County from 1965-1975 and had a private law practice from 1975-1991. Judge Gormley was elected Probate Judge for Muskingum County in 1991 and held that title until his retirement in 2014.

Judge Gormley leaves behind his wife Susan, who he had been married to for 53 years, and three children. The family will be hosting a memorial gathering from noon till 3 p.m. on June 4 at Bryan Place located at 49 North Sixth Street in Zanesville. Gormley’s family is asking in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation.