Dr. Joseph L. Tabourne Jr., DDS

Remembering Dr. Joseph Lewis Tabourne, Jr.

Dr. Joseph Lewis Tabourne, Jr. was born on November 15, 1933, to Maude Deloach Tabourne and Joseph Lewis Tabourne, Sr. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Affectionately called “Joey,” he spent his formative years in West Philadelphia.  Big Brother to his only sister Gail, Joey shared a close, special bond with her throughout his life. Their parents, Maude and Joe, were cornerstones of the community, charter members of social and civic organizations, such as Jack and Jill of America, that would benefit their children and generations of African Americans to come.  In Joey, they instilled a sense of pride, purpose and curiosity, a strong work ethic, and the courage to dream a better world. 

Joey graduated from West Philadelphia High School, where he continued to explore his passion for science and biology while enjoying the camaraderie of the Cross-Country Team.  Joey attended Morgan State College in Baltimore, Maryland (now Morgan State University).  Joey flourished at Morgan, both academically and socially.  He graduated cum laude in 1955 with a B.S. in Chemistry and was a member of the Beta Kappa Chi Honorary Scientific Society.  Joey matriculated to Temple University Dental School and graduated in 1959, where he was elected to the John A. Kohlmer Honorary Medical Society and the James Cameron Honorary Society of Oral Surgery.

Joey married Dorothy Joan Savoy of Montclair, New Jersey in 1959.  Dorothy and his sister Gail were friends from camp in their early teens.  According to Gail, she promised Dorothy her brother, Joey, if Dorothy would, in turn, promise her brother Boyd to Gail.  Gail kept her end of the bargain. Shortly after Joey and Dorothy were married, he began military service at a hospital in Chateauroux, France. While there, Joey and Dorothy developed their love of food, culture and travel.

In 1962, while still in France, their first son, Christopher, was born. They returned to the United States a few years later, where Joey attended Columbia University School of Orthodontia in New York, graduating in 1965.  He opened his first orthodontia practice in Somerset, New Jersey, as an extension of the family home. Joey was the first African-American Orthodontist in New Jersey. His second son, Jeffrey, was born in 1965.  Joey loved his sons with all his soul.

Joey opened his second office in the East Orange Medical Building, organized and built by African American professionals in the area.  Dr. Tabourne continued a successful practice in East Orange while encouraging others to succeed through professional networks and teaching.  While serving at the University College of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark, he trained generations of future dentists and orthodontists.  Joey loved nearby New York, so when the invitation to join Dr. H. H. Cooper’s tony GM Building office presented itself, Joey committed his Fridays to practicing orthodontia in New York.

In 1977, Joey got remarried to Carla Sayers Tabourne.

Like his parents, Joey was socially active and involved in his community.  In addition to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, Joey was a member of the Boule, the NorJerMen, and the Guardsmen.  He was always ready to tell his latest jokes, with pitch perfect delivery.  These qualities and more were a part of his charm and wit!

Joey loved sports – football, tennis, basketball and golf – and racing, but especially sailing.  He raced J-29 sailboats regularly, often manning a crew with Philadelphia childhood friends, Bobby Bivins, Selvin Gumbs, and lifelong Jersey friends, Gene Wilson and Doug Anderson, winning first place in several major regattas. His other sailboat, a cruiser, was a 42-foot Brewer, in which he sailed long distances from the Arthur Kill in Staten Island along the eastern seaboard with family, friends, and loved ones.   Joey and his team were the first “all-black” sailing crew to win the Governor’s Cup, in New York.

The global pandemic took a toll on all of us, and Joey. Because he was a doctor, he took the precautions of Covid seriously, especially in hard hit New Jersey.  Due to pandemic restrictions, he was no longer able to enjoy weekly swims at the local Y.  Amid it all, his devoted sons, Christopher and Jeffrey, made frequent visits to West Orange to visit with him and take care of him.  His dear friends, Gene and Doug, were also often by his side.  In his final days, no longer able to live by himself, Joey came to live with his son, Jeff.  Dr. Joseph L. Tabourne, Jr. was called home to rest on Friday, October 7, 2022, surrounded by his family.  

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife, Carla Sayers Tabourne, his son Chris (Vikki), his son Jeff (Bridget), his grandchildren, Vanessa, Tiffany, Christopher, Alexis, Catherine, and Conner, the mother of the children and Grandmother, Dorothy Savoy Tabourne, his sister, Gail Elaine Finley, and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family would like to extend its utmost gratitude to Springs Cypress Senior Living, Hospice care, and the many people who showed their love, care, and affection.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to Morgan State University, in the name of Dr. Joseph L. Tabourne Jr. or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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