Andrew McGhee

Andrew McGhee, age 89, died in Marietta, GA, on Thursday, October 12, 2017 of natural causes. Receiving of friends and funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 24, 2017 in the Forsyth Chapel of Forest Hills Cemetery in Jamaica Plain, MA. with military honors. A reception will follow after the service. Born on November 3, 1927 in Wilmington, NC, he survived the love of his life, Connie, before she passed in 1986. They were married for 35 years. Together, they had two children Caren McGhee and Druann Riggs of whom he leaves behind; along with his Grandson, Gerald Riggs Jr., and his Great-Granddaughter, Layla Rose. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War where he was the recipient of the Bronze Medal Award. He was very educated, earning a Masters in Music Composition, and a Doctorate of Music at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. He was a renowned jazz artist, performing locally and abroad with jazz legends, Count Bassie, Lionel Hampton and Woody Herman. He recorded and published several CDs of which "Sophisticated Lady" was a tribute song to his beloved wife, Connie. In the late 1960s he gave up performing as a jazz artist, and took his profession to the classroom at Berklee, teaching thousands of young musicians over four decades. He later retired from Berklee College of Music in 2012. Not only did he love playing his saxophone daily, he was an avid golfer, and played consistently until his death. He was an inspiration to his family, friends, colleagues and students worldwide. His memory will continue in us all. Floral offerings should be sent to Forsyth Chapel at Forest Hills Cemetery, 95 Forest Hills Ave, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.
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