Trailblazer Civil Rights Activist, member of Greensboro 4, dies at 83

It is with deep love and sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph A. McNeil Sr., who departed this life peacefully on September 4, 2025, at the age of 83 in Port Jefferson, NY.

Born on March 25, 1942, in Wilmington, North Carolina, Joseph was a beloved man whose life was marked by integrity, generosity, and devotion to his family and community. He grew up with a strong sense of purpose, guided by values instilled in him from an early age.

Trailblazer: As a freshman at North Carolina A&T State University, McNeil and classmates Frank McCain, Ezell Blair Jr., and David Richmond launched the Greensboro sit-ins on February 1, 1960, by occupying a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter. Their action sparked a wave of nonviolent protests across the South and helped catalyze the civil rights movement. In 2002, the university unveiled a life-size “February One” monument, honoring the “A&T Four” and their enduring stand against injustice.

Military Career: After graduating from North Carolina A&T in 1963 with a degree in engineering physics, McNeil was commissioned as a second lieutenant through ROTC and began a distinguished Air Force career. He served as a KC-135 navigator flying in many operations including Arc Light and Young Tiger and the Vietnam War. Over his service, he logged more than 6,600 flight hours, was reactivated during Desert Storm and rose through the Air Force Reserve to command the 22nd Air Force (in charge of all Air Force reservists east of the Mississippi), and retired in 2000 as a Major General with an extended military family. His honors included multiple commendations, notably the Distinguished Service Medal.

Civilian Career: Joseph carried his military leadership into civilian life, first at IBM, then in finance with Bankers Trust and E.F. Hutton, where he advanced diversity and inclusion initiatives. He later joined the Federal Aviation Administration as Manager of the Eastern Region Flight Standards Division and led the New York Flight Standards District Office until retiring in 2002. His tenure left a legacy of stronger safety standards and expanded opportunities in aviation.

Honors and Community Involvement: Joseph was dedicated to mentoring youth and emerging adults, working with schools, colleges, and civic organizations to inspire future leaders. He received four honorary doctorates-from North Carolina A&T, St. John’s University, UNC Wilmington, and Molloy University-and in 2010 was awarded the Smithsonian’s James Smithson Bicentennial Medal for his lasting contributions to American history.

Legacy: At the heart of Joseph’s life was his beloved wife, Ina Mae Brown, a gifted Hunkpapa Lakota artist and educator, descended from Henry Oscar One Bull and Chief Sitting Bull. Their paths first crossed in South Dakota, where both were engaged in the struggle for civil rights. From that moment on, they shared a bond rooted in love, purpose, and mutual devotion.

As a husband, Joseph cherished Ina Mae and the life they built together. As a father, he was a steady, guiding presence-raising his children to walk in kindness, resilience, and respect for others. His greatest joy was found in family: in the laughter around the table, the stories passed down, the wisdom shared, and the new experiences embraced together.

He leaves behind his devoted wife, Ina Mae Brown McNeil; his children, Alan McNeil (Shirley), Jacqueline Jackson (Robert), Joseph McNeil Jr. (Sheridan), and Frank McNeil (Dawn); fifteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; and first cousins Henry Porter McNeil, Richard McNeil (Shirley), Billy Freeman, and Bernard Galloway (Gloria), and Kathleen March Nesmith.

Joseph now reunites with those who went before him-his parents, Alfred and Mildred McNeil; his son, Ron His Horse is Thunder; and his granddaughter, Franchon Francees-whose memories live on in the family he so dearly loved. He will be remembered for his warm smile, heartfelt laughter, willingness to help anyone in need, and the quiet strength that inspired all who knew him.

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