The Bruce Trent and Morrissey Family Papers (1957-2018) consist of materials documenting the career of Las Vegas Recreation Department Superintendent Bruce Trent and the family of Patricia Trent and Michael Morrissey. The collection contains a newspaper clipping, resume, and narrative of Bruce Trent's life and career, and articles, fliers, and event programs related to the Morrissey family's business and philanthropic work in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Bruce Trent and Morrissey Family Papers (1957-2018) consist of materials documenting the career of Las Vegas Recreation Department Superintendent Bruce Trent and the family of Patricia Trent and Michael Morrissey. The collection contains a newspaper clipping, resume, and narrative of Bruce Trent's life and career, and articles, fliers, and event programs related to the Morrissey family's business and philanthropic work in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Collection is open for research.
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Materials remain as they were received.
Hanford Bruce Trent began his long career in parks and recreation in 1946 as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Wadsworth, Ohio. In 1953, the Trent family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where Bruce was hired as the Superintendent of Recreation for the City of Las Vegas. Trent oversaw the growth of parks and recreation throughout the city in his role as superintendent until his resignation in 1962. He later returned to the city’s recreation department in 1969 as a Recreation Supervising Specialist. Bruce and his late wife Wanda Trent had three children, Bruce, Jr. Jacqueline, and Patricia. Bruce Trent passed away on June 21, 1991 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Source:
Collection material. Bruce Trent and Morrissey Family Papers, 1957-2018. MS-01232. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
Patricia Trent Morrissey grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada and graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. She then earned her juris doctor from the Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, Florida. Patricia practiced probate and guardianship law for over forty years and earned several awards for her work.
After completing law school and returning to Las Vegas, Patricia met Michael Morrissey, her future husband and longtime Las Vegas resident. Michael attended Bishop Gorman High School and the University of Nevada, Reno, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He returned to Las Vegas in 1978 and entered the insurance industry, later forming his own firm, Morrissey Insurance. Michael was a founding member of the Bank of Nevada and co-founder and president of the Irish Bar Company. The Morrisseys have three children, Megan, Sean Patrick, and Erin, and their philanthropic efforts across the Las Vegas Valley include supporting Opportunity Village and the Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada.
Source:
Collection material. Bruce Trent and Morrissey Family Papers, 1957-2018. MS-01232. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
Bruce Trent and Morrissey Family Papers, 1957-2018. MS-01232. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
Materials were donated in 2025 by Patricia Trent Morrissey; accession number 2026-020.
In 2026, Landon Paljusaj processed the collection and wrote the finding aid in ArchivesSpace.
Administrative Information
Acquired by Stefani Evans, Oral History Research Center Project Manager, as part of a related UNLV Special Collections and Archives oral history project. All material that formed the original gift has been retained.