Joseph Giangiacomo, M.D.
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Joseph Giangiacomo, M.D., age 71, of Columbia entered into eternal paradise Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at home surrounded by his family. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Columbia, Missouri. His interment will be later this summer in his birthplace.
Joseph was a descendant of the Giangiacomo family of Fresagrandinaria, Abruzzi, Italy that immigrated to the United States in 1929. He was born in Pottstown, PA on July 24, 1941 to the late Valentino and Margaret Giangiacomo. He was the youngest brother of Anthony Giangiacomo of Birdsboro, PA, Donald Giangiacomo of Pottstown, PA and his late sister Marie Vivian Giangiacomo.
Joseph graduated from St. Pius X High School in 1960, Mount St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 1964 and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1968. He completed his medical residency in pediatrics at St. Louis University in 1971 and in ophthalmology at the University of Missouri in 1980. Joseph was a Professor of Ophthalmology at the Mason Eye Institute at the University Hospital for 33 years. Dr. G was a caring physician to thousands of patients and proud teacher of his ophthalmology residents.
Joseph’s passion for medicine was only surpassed by his love for his family. He is survived by Beverly, his devoted wife of 43 years, his forever grateful children Bart (Lisa), Amy (Allen), Annette, Damian (Carolyn) and Brett (Faye), his adoring grandchildren Josephine Giangiacomo, Luciano Giangiacomo Hendricks, and Deborah, Swezen and Erica Kizito, his cherished fratelli Anthony and Donald, and his beloved aunt Mary (Giangiacomo) Finn. He was predeceased by his uncles John, Father Tosello, and William and aunt Florence.
In lieu of flowers, Joseph requested donations be made to the Giangiacomo Endowment in Ophthalmology (address: Mason Eye Institute, Joseph Giangiacomo MD Endowment, One Hospital Drive DC052.11, Columbia, MO 65212).
“Our plans are not God’s plans and accepting the journey comes with time and faith.” – J.G.
Visits: 7
Mrs. Giangiacomo,
My family and I want to send you our sincere sympathy on the loss of your husband. Although we did not know him well, we see his great love for others through your daughter, Amy.
Lynn Suhre and family
Dear Giangiacomo Family:
We join with you in mourning Joe’s passing. He was a quality person that we always looked forward to being with. Such a nice man and nice family. We are honored to have known him and to be a part of your family.
My deepest condolences to the Giangiacomo family. My son, who’s crossed eyes Dr. G corrected at the tender age of 9 months old is now 14. We were just talking about his surgery; how thankful we are to this day; and learned of Dr. G’s passing from the UofM website when we tried to show our son a picture of him. May God rest his soul and comfort all the hearts of those on earth who miss him. We will keep you in our prayers.
Dear Giangiacomo Family:
I was a patient of Dr. Giangiacomo’s, and had my eye operated on several years ago. Dr. Giangiacomo definitely made my life better, and I know I was one of many. I ran into him in the hallway of the hospital a few years ago, and I waved enthusiastically – obviously forgetting that I was not the only patient he had ever had, and that I had changed a lot. He didn’t recognize me (which is evidence of how many people he has helped). I told him he had operated on my eye a couple years earlier, and he said, “oh, I couldn’t tell.” I replied that “I know, you do good work!” I am very thankful for the impact of his work on my life, and I am very sorry to hear the news.