Page 150 - ShowSight, March 2020

BECOMING—INTRODUCING JOSEPH NEIL McGINNIS, JR.
PERSONAL, FROM JACQUELYN FOGEL:
I will never forget how Joe McGinnis made an entrance. Not grand, like Liberace, but a long, easy, never-rushed stride followed immediately by a grin that made you look. It was as if the sun had just arrived to welcome the planets to his sphere. Everyone wel- comed into his sphere was made to feel special and loved. That was Joe’s magic.
Joe McGinnis never met an obstacle too big to overcome—until now. He saw only opportunity, never threat, and he could convince you that his view of the world was worthy of your effort and his time, and he’d be right there with you to make it all happen and it would be good. And it always was. His vision of Meet-The-Breeds has become wildly successful in Orlando and New York, and the continuing sponsorship of the booth competitions by ShowSight Magazine has made sure these events will continue to grow and get better. Joe wanted the whole world to share in his appreciation of master breeders who worked tirelessly to keep purebred dogs rel- evant and available for everyone who wanted the joy of living with one. He knew that joy personally, with Pekingese, Goldens and Poodles. He adored his dogs.
It seemed like Joe knew everyone. He made it his business to get to know the people who were working hard to keep our canine com- petitions relevant in a world that was rapidly shifting towards hon- oring pet rescues and mixed breeds. He encouraged spirited discus- sion of all things dog and was not afraid to offer a well-thought-out
opinion. He was candid, but never harsh. Watching Group judging at The Garden with Joe was as much fun as one can have at a dog show. He was a master at judging dogs—and handlers—and his commentary was always delightful.
Joe knew how to identify and pull together the people and forces necessary to institute change. He made things happen. When he brought his sunshine to an issue, you knew things were going to work out for the best. He could not accept less, and the disappoint- ments he felt were always temporary. I think, somehow, Joe man- aged to fit about four extra hours into every day. He was not mortal, I thought—until he was. That was Joe’s magic.
It is hard to lose a person like Joe McGinnis. Icon does not begin to describe what he was in the dog fancy. He was kind, energetic, positive, supportive, brilliant and always willing to help without judgement. Being with him and seeing that grin first-hand made the world a better place. I was so honored that he brought me into his life as not just a writer, but also a friend. He allowed me com- plete editorial freedom—except for one time when he asked me to re-work a section in which he thought I was being a little too critical of people who had only good intentions. Of course, I agreed, and reworked that section. I would have moved heaven and earth for him if he had asked. That was Joe’s magic. I am going to miss his sunshine. I wrote for him, and he was the inspiration behind many of the ideas I explored in my columns. He brought out my best. Godspeed, dear friend. Know that you were loved by many.
148 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MARCH 2020
“HE SAW ONLY OPPORTUNITY, NEVER THREAT, AND HE COULD CONVINCE YOU THAT HIS VIEW OF THE WORLD WAS WORTHY OF YOUR EFFORT AND HIS TIME, AND HE’D BE RIGHT THERE WITH YOU TO MAKE IT
ALL HAPPEN AND IT WOULD BE GOOD. AND IT ALWAYS WAS.”