Dr. Joseph Anthony Leistyna

LEISTYNA, Dr. Joseph Anthony Dr. Joseph Anthony Leistyna, 74, peacefully passed on Friday, (January 6, 2006) after a long illness. A dedicated pediatrician, Dr. Leistyna worked tirelessly for 42 years as a champion for children and families at risk. Born February 26, 1931 in NY, NY, he was the son of the late Dr. Arthur and Margaret (Maresch) Leistyna. Raised in Ilion, NY, he graduated Valedictorian from Ilion High School in 1948. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Hamilton College in 1952 and earned an MD from the University of Rochester in 1956. Upon completion of a Pediatric Internship at Yale University School of Medicine in 1957, he enlisted as a Captain in the United States Air Force and was Chief of Pediatric Services. In 1960 he returned home to complete his residency in Pediatrics at the University of Colorado Medical Center. He was a member of the Pediatric Staff at the University of CT Health Center and School of Medicine, Farmington from 1975-79; Director of the Univ. of CT Child Protection Program and Chairman of the UCONN Child Protection Team; Project Pediatrician, State of CT Child Abuse & Neglect Demonstration Center; Medical Consultant, Governor's Case Incident Review for Child Abuse, Dept. of Children and Youth Services. From 1979-91, he was a member of the Medical Staff at the University of MA Medical Center, Worcester. He also was on the Medical Staffs of Monson Developmental Center and Belchertown State School where he became Director of Emergency Medical Services and Medical Director. In 1988, he was Director of Medical Support Services, a staff physician for the Mental Retardation Unit, and medical consultant for Worcester State Hospital. In 1991, he went on to become the Medical Director at the Western Carolina Center in Morganton, NC. In 1998 he retired to Massachusetts from his long career in medicine. He leaves three daughters, Lori Leistyna, of Hatfield, Tracy Carey, of Hollywood, Md., and Kara Leistyna, of Whately; two sons, Jeff Leistyna, of Hatfield, and Pepi Leistyna, of Scituate; a sister, Sylvia (Leistyna) Lahvis and Dr. Frederick Lahvis; five grandchildren and two nephews. His wife of 30 years, Rita (Geoffrion) Leistyna, died in 1988. Family will receive friends for Remembrance and Reflection, Helen Hills Hills Chapel, Smith College, Northampton, MA on Thursday, January 12, from 4-8 p.m. Cremation arranged by Czelusniak Funeral Home. Memorial Service to be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org or call 800-272-3900.