Governor Albert Bryan Jr. issued the following statement on the passing of St. Croix attorney, author and public servant Michael A. Joseph:
“I join the people of the Virgin Islands in extending heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and loved ones of Attorney Michael Joseph.
Michael was not only a respected attorney and public servant, but also a personal friend whose counsel I relied on through the years. His passing is a loss I feel personally, and it is also a loss for St. Croix and for the broader Virgin Islands community.
Attorney Joseph was a son of St. Croix whose life and work were deeply connected to the law, public service and the history of our Virgin Islands. Over a legal career that spanned decades, he appeared in some of the Territory’s most important courtrooms, including the District Court of the Virgin Islands and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He also served as Acting Federal Public Defender and earned a reputation as a strong and committed advocate, particularly in criminal defense, where the work is often difficult but essential to justice.
His advocacy extended beyond the courtroom. In one notable civil matter, Attorney Joseph represented 86 employees in an early retirement case against the Government Employees’ Retirement System, helping secure millions of dollars in relief for workers who had relied on promises made to them. That case reflected his understanding that the law is not abstract. It affects people’s paychecks, their liberty, their families and their futures.
Attorney Joseph also served the public as a member of the Virgin Islands Board of Elections representing the St. Croix District, contributing to one of the most important institutions in our democracy. He was also an author, and through Fountain Valley 1972, he added to the public record on one of the most painful and consequential chapters in St. Croix’s modern history.
Michael Joseph was a lawyer, writer, public servant, Crucian and friend who made his mark on the legal and civic life of this Territory. His work, his voice and his service will remain part of the Virgin Islands’ story.
On behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands, Lieutenant Governor Roach and our entire administration, I extend my deepest sympathy to Attorney Joseph’s family and to all who mourn his passing. May they be comforted by the memories of his life, his service and his contributions to the Virgin Islands.”
Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of Attorney Michael Joseph:
“I was saddened to hear of the passing of Attorney Michael Joseph, a man whose life reflected a genuine passion for the law and a deep commitment to serving the people of St. Croix. Attorney Joseph dedicated his career to the practice of law in the community he called home, and his work touched the lives of countless Virgin Islanders who sought his counsel and trusted his judgment.
“Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Joseph was an author who took on the difficult but necessary task of chronicling a painful and pivotal moment in Virgin Islands history, ensuring that our stories, however hard to tell, are never forgotten. He also served our community through his work on the Board of Elections, helping to safeguard the democratic process for the people of the Virgin Islands.
“Mr. Joseph’s legacy as a jurist, historian, and public servant will continue to be felt throughout our community for years to come. I offer my prayers for peace and extend my deepest condolences to the Joseph family and all who knew and loved him during this difficult time.”
Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach issued a message of condolence as well:
“I join a deeply saddened Virgin Islands community in honoring the life and legacy of Michael Joseph, a distinguished attorney, noted author, and steadfast public servant. I pray for peace and comfort for all those who mourn his passing, including his family, his loved ones, his friends, and his colleagues.
Attorney Joseph was unapologetically proud of his Virgin Islands heritage. With almost fifty years of service in the legal field, he was known for his relentless tenacity as a criminal defense lawyer and civil litigator. Attorney Joseph was a lifetime member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys whose brilliance and prudence required strategic and careful preparation by his opponents. In 2014, Attorney Joseph published the book, Fountain Valley 1972, in which he offered an expansive narrative of racial and social complexities that led to the deaths at Fountain Valley, St. Croix on September 6, 1972.
Always a voice of the people whom he represented and served, Attorney Joseph was also a current member of the Virgin Islands Board of Elections for the St. Croix District, having been elected in 2024. He was a very astute and attentive board member who advocated fiercely to protect and uphold the integrity of the election process in the Virgin Islands, in order to ensure that elections are conducted fairly and in accordance with statutory requirements and applicable rules and regulations.
We are sincerely grateful for Attorney Joseph’s many contributions and lifelong service to the Virgin Islands community, service marked with integrity and distinction. He gave much of himself for the betterment of the Territory which he loved dearly. His life and legacy will remain a constant reminder of the great man that he was and the many lives that were improved by his good work.
May he now rest in peace.”
Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. issued the following statement upon learning of the passing of Virgin Islands attorney Michael A. Joseph, Esq.
“My heart is heavy after learning of the passing of my friend and mentor, Attorney Michael A. Joseph. Over the course of my law enforcement career, I was privileged to witness his impassioned advocacy for his clients in court. He was a staunch defender of justice, regardless of which side of the bench he was sitting on.
Atty. Joseph will be remembered for his unwavering support of his family, dedication as a public defender, and his service on the Public Defender Administrator Board and the Virgin Islands Board of Elections. What I will remember most is his unfailing mastery of the Virgin Islands Code and the law and his grace and generosity in explaining courtroom proceedings to me as a young police officer.
His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched, the clients he defended and the standard of excellence he set for the legal profession. My heartfelt condolences are offered to his family, friends, colleagues and all who grieve the passing of this son of the Virgin Islands.”
Notes of condolence also came from the Board of Elections and the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands.
