Joseph Alexander McKane

Joseph Alexander McKane, 80, passed away on September 20th, 2024 at his home in Riverside, Rhode Island. His gentle demeanor, nurturing spirit, and creativity left a lasting impression on all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Joe was born on August 26th, 1944 to Catherine Jane McKane (née Watters) and James McKane in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. He was raised at the Watters family farm, Islandcarragh, in Bushmills. He attended Dalriada Grammar School in Ballymoney from 1956 to 1962. After graduation, he worked as a technician at Monsanto Textiles Ltd. in Coleraine and later in Leicester, England. He attended the Leicester College of Technology from 1965 to 1967 and the Belfast College of Technology from 1967 to 1971. He received a Technicians Certificate in Dyeing and Textiles, an Advanced Certificate in Dyeing and Textiles, a Diploma in Advanced Technology, and an Associateship of the Society of Dyers and Colourists (A.S.D.C.) by the city and Guilds of London. He was awarded a bronze medal from The Bleachers, Dyers and Finishers Association and won the best student award from the Northern Ireland Society of Dyers and Colourists. From 1974 to 1978, Joe worked as the finishing unit production manager at Courtaulds in Campsie, outside of Derry, Northern Ireland. He also served on the Northern Ireland Technical Education Committee, which decided on the type and content of courses run at the various technical colleges in Northern Ireland.

In 1979, Joe emigrated to the United States and became the Production Control Manager at Sayles Biltmore Bleacheries, Inc. in Asheville, North Carolina, until 1983. From 1983 to 1985, he worked as a Dyehouse Superintendent and Chemist at Jefferson Mills in Jefferson, Georgia.

In 1985, Joe moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee and opened a printing business called Minute Man Press. During this time, he met his beloved wife, Gayle Rowles, after he asked to borrow a vacuum cleaner from the business she worked at next door – a story of everyday fate that they both enjoyed recounting. Soon after, Joe moved in with Gayle and her daughter Sara at their house on Talley Road in Brainerd. Joe and Gayle were married at the Ascension Lutheran Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee on January 13th, 1987. Their daughter Kathleen (Katie) was born in 1988, and the following year, their daughter Rachel was born. In 1993, Joe and Gayle bought a house in Mountain Shadows in East Brainerd, where they lived together until her death in 2009. In writings Gayle left behind, she referred to Joe as “the greatest love I’ve ever known” and called him her “gentle companion.”

Joe and Gayle ran their business, McKane’s Historical Toys and Games, together for many years. They made historical toys and laser-engraved wooden gifts and souvenirs for major theme parks, museums, national parks, and retail gift shops. Additionally, they manufactured T-Shirt displays for Cracker Barrel stores throughout the country.

Joe was a quiet and gentle man whose kind spirit touched everyone who knew him. He had a profound appreciation for music, finding joy in both playing and listening. He played numerous instruments, including the banjo, mandolin, tin whistle, and guitar, even crafting several banjos and mandolins himself. Joe and Gayle often played Irish, bluegrass, and folk music together, hosting lively picking parties with their friends and family.

Beyond his musical passions, Joe was a skilled jack of all trades. He excelled in woodworking and machine building, demonstrating a talent for tinkering that brought countless projects to life. An avid gardener, he nurtured his plants with the same care and attention he offered those around him. Joe instilled a love of gardening in his daughters, Katie and Rachel, and they cherished the countless hours spent in the garden with him. There, he taught them not just about plants, but also the beauty of patience and growth.

Joe was a creative man with an endearing sense of humor. He enjoyed brightening the days of his daughters and wife with small pranks. Rarely able to keep a straight face in photos, his delightful silliness was a source of joy for his family. While he enjoyed sharing silly moments, he also greatly appreciated finding comfort in quiet, peaceful times.

Joe cherished the small things in life, never taking a moment for granted. He found joy in the details and loved being in nature, taking time to observe the world around him. He enjoyed camping and fly fishing, often taking his daughters and nephews on trips across East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. Whether crafting something new, tending to his garden, or simply enjoying a serene moment, Joe made every experience feel meaningful.

In 2022, Joe sold the house in Tennessee and moved to Riverside, Rhode Island to live with his daughter Rachel, Rachel’s partner Molly, and their beloved cats. He spent his time working on projects in their historic home, getting to know the native plants of the area, and building a garden with plants new and old. Joe also enjoyed ocean fishing at Sabin Point Park, walks along the water, visits to the beach in Newport, summer trips with Molly’s family to New Hampshire, and savoring quiet days lost in a good book.

Joe passed away peacefully at home, with his daughter Rachel and his dear cat Luna by his side, with the comforting tunes of Norman Blake playing on the record player.

Joe is preceded in death by his wife, Gayle McKane (née Rowles); his brother, Thomas McKane; his mother, Catherine Jane McKane (née Watters); his father, James McKane; and several beloved cousins, including Sean Watters, Jim Stuart, and James Taylor. He is survived by his daughters, Kathleen McKane (Erik Nelson) and Rachel McKane (Molly Richard); his nephews, Kevin McKame (Emma De Roiste) and Martin McKane (Veronica Wilson); his sister-in-law, Dorothy McKane (née McCarthy); his step-daughter, Sara Hall, and her two children, James Darraj and Maxine Bloy; and numerous cousins in Northern Ireland, along with relatives by marriage in Chattanooga, TN.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider donating to recovery efforts in Asheville and across Western North Carolina and East Tennessee. The Appalachian Mountains were the first place Joe called home when he emigrated to the United States, and they held deep significance for him. Supporting the recovery of these cherished communities is a fitting tribute to his memory.