Name: Memorial Gathering for Joseph Ignatius Killorin
Start: 2018-10-28T18:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-10-28T20:00:00.000Z
Location: Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors - Islands Chapel

On Friday October 19, 2018, Joseph Ignatius Killorin, aged 92, died peacefully of heart failure at his home under the care of Hospice Savannah. With Joe at his death were his daughters Diana and Clare. With him, in memory, were his wife Harriet and daughter Elizabeth who predeceased him by just a few years.

Joe was born in 1926 to Myrtle Bell and Joseph Killorin, Sr. in Savannah and grew up in family homes on Anderson Street and 37th Street with his brothers Quentin, Edward, and George. He attended Sacred Heart School where he was first taught to love learning by the Sisters of St. Joseph, and Benedictine Military School. He went on to St. John's College, Annapolis, and then to Columbia University, where he earned a Masters in History and Ph.D. in Philosophy.

When Joe returned to Savannah in 1948, he began his career teaching at Armstrong Junior College. As Armstrong grew into a four-year State college, Joe served as Academic Dean for a number of years and eventually held the Callaway Chair of Literature and Philosophy. He retired from teaching in 1988. During his Armstrong years Joe was a sometime director and actor with the Armstrong Masquers and the Little Theatre of Savannah. He also served as President of the Poetry Society in the 1960's and was a member of the Madeira Club. In the 1970's, at the request of his friend, poet and novelist Conrad Aiken, Joe edited "Selected Letters of Conrad Aiken" which was published by Yale University Press in 1978.

Surviving Joe are daughters Diana Killorin and Clare Killorin, sisters-in-law Isabelle Powers Killorin, Virginia Ware Killorin, and Kathryn Williamson Killorin, a number of nieces and nephews, several close cousins, and many dear friends who felt to him like family.

Our love and appreciation are extended to Liz Maher and Pat McPhatter of Hospice Savannah.

Diana and Clare invite all friends and family to join us for a memorial gathering this Sunday, Oct. 28, 2 - 4pm at Fox & Weeks, Islands Chapel.

The family suggests any remembrances be made to America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, 2501 East President Street, Savannah, GA. 31404; or Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Mission Advancement Office, 6400 Minnesota Ave., St. Louis, MO 63111

Please sign our online guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Savannah Morning News on Oct. 25, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Killorin

9 Entries

October 27, 2018

As both dean and professor, Joe Killorin was instrumental in turning Armstrong Junior College into a highly regarded public liberal arts college. He was a brilliant scholar and a kind and generous colleague. I deeply treasure the years we spent together at Armstrong in the Department of Languages, Literature, and Dramatic Arts.

Andrea Schulman

October 27, 2018

Joe had the ability to make everyone who conversed with him feel special.

October 27, 2018

Henry and I send our love and deepest condolences to Diana and Clare, our precious cousins. We will be thinking of you on Sunday and hope the day can be a celebration of a very special life.
Catherine and Henry Scriven

Caroline Hopkinosn

October 26, 2018

My favorite artifact from Dr. Killorin's long history at Armstrong is his elegant letter of application. https://flic.kr/p/7fiymB
His wonderful presence is evident throughout our history.
Caroline Hopkinson

Marcia Hagins

October 26, 2018

Dr. Killorin is remembered as a wonderful teacher.

October 25, 2018

Dear Clare and Diane, So sorry to learn of your Fathers' passing. It is so very difficult to lose the second parent. But, how wonderful that you were able to have him for so long. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Warmest regards, Patricia

Louis Harkins

October 25, 2018

It says something about a man when you remember him fifty years after your last conversation with him. Dr. Killorin was that kind of man.

Rafe Semmes

October 25, 2018

I had the distinct honor and pleasure of working with Joe Killorin about 40 years ago, at the Savannah Little Theatre, on a production of King Lear, in which he had the starring role, and I was the "fiery hot Duke of Cornwall," who was killed off in the second act. He was invited to play that role by the then-current director, Bill Starrs, whom I also had the pleasure of working with for several years, 1975 - 1980 or so.

Joe was not only a fine actor, but a consummate Southern gentleman, just as open and friendly with us "junior members" of the cast as he would have been with more talented (professional) actors. We were all in awe of him, but he was "just one of us" after a while.

One story that tickled me no end was, because the original script was so long, Bill Starrs endeavoured to make numerous (judicial) cuts, without harming the story line. One scene, I forget which one, he thought could be cut without damage to the drama, but Joe demurred -- politely but strongly, arguing from his perspective as a long-time English and Literature instructor. He was also head of the English Dept. at ASU at the time, and a former director of the Theatre, so his viewpoint carried a lot of weight.

Bill eventually gave in, and left the scene in the show. At the end of the run, Joe went back to Bill, and said a bit sheepishly, "You were right, we could have cut that scene and it would not have harmed the script at all." Bill graciously accepted the recant, and I was so proud of both of them.

I also had the pleasure of being a classmate of daughter Elizabeth at Savannah High School, where we were both members of the Drama Club. We later had parts in a LT production of Moliere's "School for Wives," which Bill Starrs also directed, a year or two after Lear. One scene Liz had with a fellow who was supposed to be her suitor was to respond to his fervent entreaty, after a few-second delay, which would have added to the import of her retort. But she never could make herself wait the required five seconds or so before delivering her line! We laughed about that many times, later, when I would run into her at the Exchange Tavern, where she worked for a while and I would sometimes go for lunch on the weekends.

The world in general, and thousands of Savannahians in particular, are much the richer for having known Joe Killorin, and been touched by his genius, his kindness, his courtesy to all. I am greatly blessed to have known him the little bit that I did. And very fortunate that I was active in the Little Theatre during that time. It was a very special period in my life, and one I will never forget.

May the Angels carry you heavenward with all due speed.

October 25, 2018

Psalm 90:10 says that the days of our years are 70 years, And if because of special mightiness they are 80 years.
May the memories of the wonderful times you shared together bring a smile and joy in your heart.

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