Obituary of Joseph A. McGee

Joseph A McGee, 87, of Skaneateles, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on November 14, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Dickson City, Pennsylvania on March 5, 1927, to Agnes and Francis McGee, the youngest of five children. On March 1, 1945 Joseph enlisted in the US Coast Guard with his friends Roy Griffin and Vinny Klementowski. He took boot camp training at Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn. For an eight week period while in boot camp, he took a radioelectronic aptitude test and was accepted for Radio School. In May, 1945 Joseph started school at the Morton Hotel, located in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for six months of training. In January 1945, he graduated from Radio School and was promoted to Petty Officer third class. His responsibilities included all communications for sending and receiving morse code messages from ship to shore, as well as ship to ship. In December, 1945 he reported for duty and ship assignment to Constitution Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts. In April 1946, he was honorably discharged from service. Joe was proud to have served his country as a World War II veteran, part of the Greatest Generation ever. Joseph was a dedicated employee of General Electric Corporation from August, 1950 to June, 1991; and retired after forty-one years as a manufacturing engineer. Joe deeply loved his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. His most treasured joy in life was spending time with his family, who always came first. One of Joe's family and friends' greatest enjoyments was listening to him "tickle the ivories". Joe was a gifted pianist, and especially enjoyed playing the old standards. Nothing would please him more than to watch his grandchildren dance while he played the Boogie Woogie. His love for music was a legacy that he passed down from generation to generation. As a young boy, Joe loved to fish, play sports with his friends, and play marbles. His expert marble shooting skills won him first place in a Syracuse city-wide marble championship. Into his adult years he enjoyed fishing, bowling, traveling with his family and friends, and golfing. His most memorable golfing moment was getting a hole in one at Camillus Country Club on hole number eight, one hundred fifty-eight yards with a five iron. Joe was a member of the Syracuse University Orange Pack for decades, fondly remembering many seasons of football and basketball games in Archbold Stadium and the Dome. Joseph is predeceased by his parents, Francis and Agnes McGee; his brother, Francis McGee; his sisters, Geraldine Zielinski, and Marie Williams. Joseph is survived by his sister, Dorothy Savinski of Harrison Township, Michigan; and daughters Bonnie Dunn, Donna Oglesby (Sidney), Susan Stockwell (Joseph), Kathleen Moss (Morgan); and son, Thomas McGee; grandchildren, Geoffrey Stockwell (Valerie), David Stockwell (Samantha), Joli Stockwell, Michelle Domke(Michael), Derek Moss (Marnie), Sheena Oglesby, Elena Oglesby, Kelly Dunn, and Nicole McGee; great-grandchildren, Ellie and Annabelle Domke and Jack, Luke, and Audrey Stockwell; special friends, Andy Szpak, Tom Moore, Jim Stack, Lenny Komar and Connie Chwalek. Special appreciation to Linda Conners, Cheryl Gosch, and Cathy Halpin. Joe's nickname was "Ol' Blue Eyes." One of his favorite quotes was by Frank Sinatra, "I would like to be remembered as a man who had a wonderful time living life, a man who had good friends, fine family - and I don't think I could ask for anything more than that, actually." Joseph McGee was truly a gentle soul, with a great sense of humor, who was loved by anyone who was lucky enough to cross his path. Funeral services: 10 a.m. Tuesday, November 18th at St Lucy's Church, 432 Gifford St. Calling hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Edward J. Ryan and Son Funeral Home, 3180 Bellevue Ave. Burial will be in the Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Contributions in Joe's name may be made to the St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105, or the Disabled Veterans National Foundation, 1020 19th St. NW, Suite 475, Washington, DC 20036.