Joseph Michael Corless

Joseph M. Corless MD PhD, 79, of Durham NC, loving husband of Sylvia Gonzales Corless, and beloved father of Joshua James Corless, father-in-law to Shannon Ratliff Corless, and doting grandfather to Declan Joseph Corless and Margot Virginia Corless, passed away peacefully at home on September 27, 2023, following a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his siblings, Kathleen A. Corless of Charleston SC, Mary Corless FitzGerald of Beverly Hills, CA, Dr. John K. Corless of Charleston SC, Helen Corless Mabry of Pittsburgh PA, and James A. Corless of Dumont NJ. Son of the late Dr. Joseph F. Corless and Helen Callagee Corless, Joe was born on July 28, 1944, in Orlando FL and grew up in North Bergen NJ, the eldest of six children. He attended Xavier High School in Manhattan and completed premedical studies at Georgetown University with a BS in Biology and a minor in Philosophy. He continued his studies and research at Duke University Graduate School & Duke Medical Center where he did groundbreaking eye research on the structure and development of retinal photoreceptors, earning a combined MD-PhD degree. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Hugh E. Huxley at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England.
He joined the Duke University Faculty in 1972 as an Associate in Anatomy, advancing to the ranks of Associate Professor of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, as well as Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, achieving Emeritus Professor status in his later years. From 2008-2010 he was Visiting Associate Professor at Duke University-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School and was much beloved by the students there. Joe was a talented teacher and received several awards for his teaching of medical students in Durham and Singapore. He was the first basic science faculty member at Duke to win the AOA Golden Apple Award two years in a row, and in 2013 Duke honored him with a Master Clinician Teacher Award.
Joe was also a gifted and versatile administrator, serving the University and Medical Center in a number of different capacities, ranging from Director of Appointments, Promotions, Tenure & Faculty Development, to Vice Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs. He was also a staunch supporter of his community, serving on the 9th Street Planning Advisory Committee, and on the Boards of Directors for the Montessori Children's House of Durham, and the Watts Hospital-Hillandale Neighborhood Association.
Beyond his professional achievements, Joe was known for his compassion and empathy towards others. For his younger siblings, he was like a second father, supporting them with his generosity, kindness, and comforting presence. His genuine concern for the well-being of others resonated with all those fortunate enough to have known him. He was not just a gifted physician and scientist; he was a mentor to aspiring healthcare professionals, imparting his knowledge and instilling in them a passion for excellence.
Joe loved music and was accomplished on piano, accordion, bassoon, and oboe. In later years, he added the baritone sax and frequently played in local groups such as the Durham Community Concert Band, the Bulltown Strutters, and The Rusty Pipes of Croasdaile Village, to name a few.
At the end of the day, Joe loved nothing better than to share a brew, discuss the Classics with old friends, engage in lively philosophical discussions, and perhaps extol the wisdom Aristotle, Marcus Aurelius orGoethe. On other nights you might hear him reminisce about those summers in Woods Hole and Napoli, where rigorous research blended seamlessly with crystal blue waters and breathtaking sunsets. As a grandfather, he loved spending time with his beloved grandchildren, be it designing a backyard fort, sharing a science experiment, or laughing out loud watching Home Alone again. His passing is a great loss, but we take solace in his legacy of unwavering commitment to knowledge, excellence, compassion, and family. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.