To let you know, by this paraphrase of Thomas Wolf which he had set to beautiful music, that Joseph A. Erwin “left the world he knew for greater knowing” on June 1, 2017.

Joseph’s understanding of and ability to communicate to so many, the meaning he saw in great music will be his heritage. 

Joseph and his wife, Kathleen, came to Tryon from Englewood, NJ in 1976, built their house on Rondo Ridge and have lived there ever since. As organist and choir director at the Congregational Church for 29 years and director of the Christmas programs of the Community Chorus for more than half that time, he has contributed much to the musical scene of Tryon.

Joseph was born in Huntsville, AL, and in his youth delivered the Birmingham paper to half the town! His education included the Cincinnati Conservatory, Julliard and Royal School of Church Music in London.

He is the youngest and his brother, Lee Erwin, the eldest of five children of Lee O. and Mary Erwin, all of whom are now deceased.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon, NC