Joseph Augustus McGhie

Dr. Joseph Augustus McGhie (fondly known as “Joe”, “Gerald” or “Meg”) was born to Augustus Granston and Mulvina (Vida) Vassel McGhie on February 3, 1931 in Lacovia, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica (raised by Stanley McGhie and Vida McGhie). Joseph was one of three children. He was preceded in death by his sister, Veneta McGhie and survived by his sister, Velma McGhie.
In Joseph’s early college years at West Indies Training College in Jamaica, he had ambitions to become a medical evangelist. After graduating from West Indies College, Joseph married Patricia Brown in 1962, had a son and later migrated to the United States. In the United States, he obtained his degree in Chemistry from Rutgers University, New Jersey. He briefly honed in on his chemistry skills at Hoffman LaRoche in their Research and Development Department. Patricia and Joseph later had two more children. Joseph fulfilled his passion for medicine and evangelism through the intricacies of chemistry and by way of telling others about God and being active in the various churches he attended.
Joseph married Sandra Grant in 1978 and later had a daughter. He worked tirelessly at International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) where he was eventually appointed head of their Research and Development Department where he worked with other chemists who created twenty-six published patents, which he was extremely proud of and discussed their significance with anyone who was willing to listen. His family was impressed with his fascinating, brilliant mind.
During Joseph’s early years, he loved going to shows at Radio City Music Hall in New York. He especially loved seeing the Rockettes perform and various Christmas shows. He enjoyed taking his family to the park every spring to see the cherry blossoms bloom and afterwards going to Applegate Farm for ice cream. Joseph also had a deep love for gardening. He took great pride in his flower beds and knew his grass was the envy of his neighbors. He even shaped a portion of his yard so that it resembled his beloved island of Jamaica. Similarly, his reputation for being a neat and orderly person was well known.
Joseph enjoyed reading, reviewing chemistry formulas, and memorizing numbers. He would boast that he could remember everyone’s phone numbers. He also kept his mind sharp by reading and rereading the many books that lined the shelves on his bookcase. He loved cooking, baking sweet potato puddings and his famous carrot cakes. He kept up with politics and the news daily. He loved music, always requesting his daughter to play the piano for him. Most days you could hear him whistling or singing hymns as he walked throughout the house or worked in the yard. He always kept a song in his heart. He appreciated various genres of music, including classical and Christian music. He loved Lady Blacksmith, Diana Ross, Linda Ronstadt, Bob Marley, Paul Simon, and many more.
While he succeeded in his career, his greatest joy was being active in his church. He attended several churches (Montclair and Norman Road Seventh Day Adventist Churches in New Jersey) and dedicated his life to serving his church family and God by way of teaching Sabbath School, being a Pathfinder advisor, planning trips for the young people, serving as an Elder, preaching, and assisting with the tithes and offering ministry. He was always ready and willing to serve.
After retiring from IFF, with over 30 years of service, Joseph and Sandra relocated to Winston Salem, North Carolina. And of course, he continued doing what he loved and did best, serving at his church (Kernersville Seventh Day Adventist Church) and enjoying his favorite pastimes. Despite his illness, Joseph maintained his mental acuity, wit and sense of humor until the Lord called him home.
Joseph was father to seven children, Lilly McGhie, Christopher C. Granstan, Moses Black-McGhie, Collin V. McGhie (Robin), Donnaree M. McGhie, Karen McGhie Lawrence (Wayne), and Talia M. McGhie.
Joseph was blessed with 17 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He will forever be remembered by his family as steadfast in his beliefs, a determined spirit, motivated, knowledgeable, clever, intelligent, showing great attention to detail, a life-long learner, stern, stylish, and most importantly, brilliant.
The Lord laid Joseph to rest early Sunday morning on October 8, 2023. Without a doubt, he lived every day making people laugh, ensuring that family gathered at least once a year, making sure his family remembered who the Lord is, serving and fearing God. What a glorious day it will be when we see him again made whole and renewed!

 A funeral service will be held at 12 noon Friday, October 13, 2023, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.