James Joseph DeLigio

DeLIGIO James Joseph DeLigio, M.D., died December 15, 2006 while sleeping. Born March 2, 1950 in Manhattan, N.Y., he grew up in New York City where he attended elementary and high school, graduating at age 16. Jim earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Manhattan College and a Doctor of Medicine at New York Medical College. He specialized in family medicine during which time he was married to Leslie in 1972. He completed his residency in Richmond, Va., then began private practice in Beaverdam, Va., where he started his family. In 1986, Jim and his family moved to the Outer Banks, N.C. and began serving as the community's physician in Kitty Hawk. Upon the close of the Kitty Hawk Medical Center in 1991, Jim accepted a position as Medical Director for Patient First Corp. He continued practice with Patient First and was promoted to Director of Physician Training. The doctor's philanthropic efforts were directed volunteering his time at Virginia Beach Free Clinic. Dr. "D" was an avid musician whose singing and songwriting began with glee club and playing guitar at the age of 13. He participated in Phi Mu Alpha Symphonia, the international music fraternity, and in numerous bands and musical projects. His pursuits included rock arrangements such as Antony and the Dumonts, barbershop singing in The First Flight Four and original recordings along with cover songs that he enjoyed playing for audiences. His philosophy of life could be heard through his compositions where themes of love, caring and companionship were deeply embedded. Jim also enjoyed a love of literature, extending his talents to write short stories. He spent many hours writing, editing and discussing ideas with peers in an effort to publish his fiction in literary journals. Jim also enjoyed travel, visiting such places as the Caribbean Islands and Greece. He had recently begun to learn Italian in anticipation of a future trip to the country. Jim believed in the beauty of life and extended his love to those around him. His passing belies a time for sorrow, but rather is a celebration of his life for the people he influenced. Jim will be missed by family, friends, co-workers, patients and everyone else whose lives he has touched. Throughout Jim's life, his family remained of utmost importance. Surviving are his wife, Leslie of Kill Devil Hills, N.C.; son, J. Thomas and wife, Jenna of Tallahassee, Fla.; son, Brendan and wife, Wendy; grandchildren, J. Clark and Isabella of Hope Mills, N.C.; daughter, Amy of Wilmington, N.C.; mother, Eileen Fay of Port Jervis, N.Y.; sister, Mary Lou of Bronx, N.Y.; brother, Tom and wife, Peggy and children, Nelly and Noah of Eugene, Ore. The memorial services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, December 21 at Twiford's Funeral Home, Manteo, N.C.; reception to follow at Lodivichie's Italian Restaurant, Kill Devil Hills, N.C. Memorial donations may be made to Save the Children, Income Processing Dept., 54 Wilton Rd., Westport, Conn. 06880. "It's funny how things change the way they do" - Jimmy D., The Letters You Write. Twiford Colony Chapel, Manteo is assisting the family. Visit www.twifordfh.com to sign the online register.