Joseph Thomas Drott
November 24, 1946 - March 9, 2019

Joseph Thomas Drott (Papa Joe), age 72, of 2100 Jackson Street, Quincy, Illinois passed away suddenly on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 9:58 am at Blessing Hospital.

Papa Joe was born November 24, 1946 in Racine, Wisconsin to Eleanor F (Maier) and Andrew Drott, Jr.

After graduation from St Catherine's High School in May 1964, Papa Joe enrolled with Racine Technical Institute and graduated with his technical associates degree in May 1966. He then enlisted with the United States Air Force in October 1966. While in the USAF, he spent three of his four years as an Inventory Specialist at the Bitburg Germany Air Force Base. After his honorable discharge from the USAF in September 1970, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin - Parkside and received his Bachelor of Science in Business in 1973. After graduation, he began working with Connecticut General Insurance in Racine, Wisconsin. While working with Connecticut General, he and his family moved to the East Coast first to the Hartford, Connecticut area and later New Jersey. During this time, he completed his Masters of Science of Organizational Development, from the University of Hartford, in September 1980. After many years in the insurance business, Papa Joe made the career move to management with Domino's Pizza in the late 80s. In 1997, Papa Joe moved to Papa John's Pizza, managing pizza locations up and down the state of New Jersey in a regional manager position, creating many great relationships and influences with coworkers and friends. In 2009, after a health related issue, Papa Joe stepped back to part time position throwing and making pizzas. He then left the business and moved to Quincy, Illinois in 2011, to be closer to his granddaughters. Papa Joe lived at Curtis Creek, in Quincy where he made many great friends. He lived with his partner in Quincy the last 3 years. He enjoyed dancing, music, gardening, and following the Green Bay Packers. Papa Joe thoroughly loved spending time with his family and friends talking about life and his family.

Papa Joe is survived by his three children, Jenn (Ron) Tallcott, of Quincy, IL, Jason (Liz DiFebo) Drott, of Philadelphia, PA, Juliann (Adam Merritt) Drott, of Reading, PA; three granddaughters, Lorelai Tallcott (13) and Genavieve Tallcott(11) both of Quincy, IL and Kaydence Merritt (5), of Reading, PA; his life partner, Crystal Strawn, of Quincy, IL, and bonus children, Silas Coggeshall, of Macomb, IL and Ezra Coggeshall, of Quincy, IL. He is also survived by his friend Janice Petersen, of Colorado Springs, CO; a brother, Andrew Drott of Snohomish, Wa, and four nephews.

Papa Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his step mother, Margaret Catherine (Maier) Drott, his brother, Nicholas Drott, and his sister, Rosemarie Drott Mertens.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to 2x4's for Hope or the Great River Honor Flight.

If you would like to mail a memorial, please make it out to one of the charities listed above and send it to Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, 1535 State Street, Quincy, IL 62301. We will notify the Drott family and deliver the memorial to the charity.

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