Fairborn Physician Dies At 62

05/13/2008 06:16:22


FAIRBORN, Ohio -- Dr. John J. Peterangelo, longtime Fairborn physician and former Fairborn school board member known fondly as "Dr. Pete," died Saturday, May 10, at Hospice of Dayton. He was 62.

He resigned from the school board after being diagnosed with brain cancer in November. Dr. Peterangelo ran a family practice in the city for more than three decades, treating thousands. He made an impact thousands of miles away as well, opening a medical clinic in the Central American country of Belize. "He left a tremendous legacy of caring for people," said Howard Drenth, director of physician practices for Greene Memorial Hospital. "You think about the families and even generations of families that he treated." Drenth said at Greene Memorial, Dr. Peterangelo had been elected chief of the medical staff, served as chairman of the family practice section, and most recently was a member of the board of directors.

Dr. Peterangelo served on the Fairborn school board from 2004-07, and many of his colleagues credit him with helping rejuvenate a district that had major fiscal problems. Voters turned down three tax levies before finally passing one in May 2007. Tom Swaim, school board president, said Dr. Peterangelo "was just a unique person," whether he was getting medication for people who couldn't afford it, or inspiring the district's teaching staff at a year-opening presentation. "Things have really turned around for the district, and Dr. Peterangelo was a major influence in doing those things," Swaim said. "He stepped forward right when our schools needed him. People trusted him, and our school board needed that trust." Superintendent Dave Scarberry echoed that feeling, adding that Dr. Peterangelo "had a huge inner strength. He gave everything of himself and expected nothing in return. The man was a healer."

Dr. Peterangelo is survived by his wife, Louise; son Steven and daughter Jennifer Peterangelo; stepdaughters Cynthia Meaux and Candice Patrick; brother Jerry Peterangelo; and sister Grace Pittmann. Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Belton-Stroup Funeral Home, 422 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Road. Mass of Christian burial is 10 a.m. Thursday at Mary Help of Christians Church, 954 N. Maple Ave.

courtesy of www.daytondailynews.com

© Copyright WHIO radio news

WebReady^TM Powered by WireReady® NSI