Joseph DiMino

1941 - 2017

Dr. Joseph M. DiMino, 76, of Plymouth Meeting, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. Born on February 26, 1941 in Norristown, he was the son of the late Bartholomew “Barney” & Calogera “Lena” (Indelicato) DiMino and the loving husband of Josephine “Dollie” (Mastercola) DiMino. Dr. Joe grew up in the East End of Norristown and was a lifetime member of Holy Saviour Church. He attended Holy Saviour School and Bishop Kenrick High School from which he graduated in 1958. In 1962, he graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science with a degree in pharmacy. He attended Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and he graduated with the class of 1966 with a Doctorate of Osteopathy. On July 15, 1967, Joe married Dollie Mastercola, and in October, he was drafted to Vietnam. He was a Captain in the United States Army where he served as a Flight Surgeon for the 1st Aviation Battalion of the 1st Infantry Division (also known as the Big Red One), Republic of Vietnam, from the beginning of the Tet Offensive in January of 1968 to January of 1969. His military decorations include the prestigious Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal with 2 Oak-Leaf Clusters; the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry; the Vietnamese Campaign Medal; the Vietnamese Service Ribbon; and the National Defense Service Medal. After an honorable discharge from the military in 1970, Joe returned home to Norristown to open a solo family practice on East Airy Street. Five years later, he joined Dr. Tom Natoli on DeKalb Street in Norristown, and together they established Norristown Family Practice. Joe continued to practice at NFP until his retirement in October 2012. His medical career included board certification as a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine (MD); certification from the American Osteopathic Board of General Medicine (DO); board certification as a family physician from both the MD and the DO boards; and board certification as a medical review officer (for drug surveillance). He had numerous medical appointments, some of which included Chief of Medicine at Eagleville Hospital; physician for the Kennedy-Kenrick Football Team for many years; and the Director of Health and the Medical Director of the Montgomery County Health Department for more than 10 years. Dr. Joe’s affiliations and achievements in his beloved Norristown community were among those of which he was most proud. These include the following: service on the Board of Advisors for the Central Montgomery County Technical School; membership in the Catholic War Veterans; President, Child Development Foundation of Norristown; membership in the MSS Society; membership in the Italian American Social Society; membership on the Board of Camp Rainbow for Children; and recipient, Outstanding Citizen of Italian Heritage Award, Americans of Italian Heritage Council. Above all, Joe was a true family man with an unparalleled zest for life and a passion for friends and food. To his 5 beautiful granddaughters [Sophia (9), Mia (6), Maria (6), Giada (3), and Lena (2)], he was the beloved Pop-Pop who always had a silly story, a smiling face, and lap big enough for all of them at the same time. They were the love of his life and are his legacy to a world that will never be the same without him. Dr. Joe was an exemplary humanitarian who was never too busy to help anyone in need. Through his strong faith and love, he touched so many lives with kindness and compassion. His selflessness was evident in his devotion to the patients for whom he cared and his dedication to the community that he loved so dearly. He was a humble man who never forgot his roots—and who was proud of them to the end. In addition to his loving wife Dollie, Joe is survived by his three children, Tara (Jim) Catagnus, Andrew (Ashley) DiMino, and Traci (Peter) Hunter; two sisters, Anna May (Ted) Dragon and Mary “Dee” (Claude) Penland; one brother, William (Deborah) DiMino; his granddaughters; and by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family members. Family and friends are invited to attend the viewing for Dr. DiMino on Thursday evening December 28, 2017, from 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM, at Holy Saviour Church, 407 E. Main St. Norristown, PA 19401. A viewing will also be held on Friday morning December 29, 2017 from 8:45 AM – 10:45 AM at the church. Mass will follow the viewing at 11:00 AM on Friday. Interment will be in the St. Patrick’s Cemetery Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Holy Saviour Church, to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org), or to the Vietnam Veterans of America (www.vva.org). Funeral arrangements in care of the Caramenico Funeral Home Inc., 403 E Main. St., Norristown, PA 19401. Please visit www.caramenicofuneralhome.com for more information.