Dr. George J. D'Angelo

1923 - 2014

D'Angelo, Dr. George J.George J. D'Angelo, MD passed away on Sunday, November 23, 2014, at the age of 91 in North Andover, MA. He was an eminent thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon, who, for 40 years tirelessly sought out the very best for his patients and the community. He was born on November 8, 1923 and was the oldest child of John Mario and Josephine D'Angelo of Bethlehem, PA. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946 and participated in the invasion of Okinawa. He received his undergraduate degree at Lehigh University and then graduated from the University of Rochester School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Duke University Medical Center. He married the love of his life, Mary, in 1947 and they moved to Erie in 1958. After moving to Erie, PA, Dr. D'Angelo became the recipient of the John A. Hartford grant to develop a laboratory for the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease at what is now the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center Hamot. In 1962 he led the team that performed the first open heart surgery in northwestern Pennsylvania at Hamot. His patient was an 11-year old boy named John Chioti. The surgery was to repair a hole in his heart. Since then, Dr. D'Angelo has mended over 7,000 hearts and touched countless lives. He always found time to give back to the community of Erie, PA. He was president of the Erie Philharmonic for 6 years and was actively involved in bringing Maestro Walter Hendl as the Orchestra's director in 1976. Under his leadership, the Erie Philharmonic soared to new heights. During his tenure, he was instrumental in bringing Luciano Pavarotti to perform in Erie as well as Doc Severinsen. He and his wife, Mary, founded the D'Angelo Young Artist Competition bringing young classical musicians, established classical artists as judges, and world-wide recognition to the city of Erie. Some of the winners have gone on to perform at the Metropolitan opera and with other orchestras throughout the world. He endowed Mercyhurst University to create the D'Angelo School of Music and the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center, named after his wife. The school continues to inspire young musicians from around the world. His encouragement of the arts has enhanced the arts in Erie. He also gave of his time and resources to the Boys and Girls Club of Erie to help create a preschool that bears his name. Survivors: Dr. D'Angelo is survived by his wife Mary of 67 years, his children Diane D'Angelo Reddy, MD, John D'Angelo, Josephine D'Angelo, George J. D'Angelo, II, and Gina D'Angelo as well as nine grandchildren, two great grand children, brothers and sisters and extended family. Services: A memorial service is planned in Erie, PA in January, 2015, the time and date to be determined at a later date. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Erie, PA, The Italian American Women's Association of Erie, PA or the American Heart Association.