Joseph Joachim McKnight

July 30, 1936 - December 14, 2021

OCEANSIDE — Joe McKnight was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to parents, Joseph James McKnight and Clara Wilhelmina Sprang of Philadelphia. He passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, after a brief time in Scripps Hospital, Encinitas, California.

He is survived by his bonus stepdaughter Vanessa Rocco and her husband Alan Chin, and their children, Nora and Zachary Chin of Exeter, New Hampshire. Survived also by his sister-in-law, Carol Pendgraft, along with many well-loved nieces and nephews and their amazing children.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 23 years, Agnes Walsh McKnight in 2005; his dear brother, William James McKnight also in 2005, and his dear sister, Claire M. Hall in 2014.

Joe’s passion was teaching. As the poet George Herbert said in his poem, The Flower: “Thy word is all if we could spell.” Spelling it out is what Joe did in over 50 years of giving classes, lectures, workshops, and sacramental celebrations for people of all ages. He often taught with his wife, Aggie, who completed the “Dynamic Duo” as they were so often called. If you listen while walking through the halls of the churches where they served as directors of religious and adult education, you can still hear the echoes of their loud joyful laughter filling the air.

Joe’s trademark storytelling style filled with depth, wit and humor was matched only by his true gifts of kindness, goodness, and hospitality. The stories told now by the many he taught, touched, and loved will continue. As Gabriel Marcel said so well: “You know you have loved someone when you have glimpsed in them that which is too beautiful to die.”

A celebration of Joe’s life will follow in the Spring. In his memory, donations can be made to support the Living School at the Center for Action and Contemplation, P.O. Box 12464, Albuquerque, NM 87105.

Website: https://cac.org.