Dr. John T. Scully

DR. JOHN T. SCULLY
Dr. John T. Scully, distinguished physician and devoted family man, died peacefully with his family by his side on November 19, 2013 at the age of 89, following a courageous battle against cancer. Universally admired for his tremendous devotion to the practice of medicine, compassion for his patients, and dedication to teaching and mentoring of physicians and nurses, Dr. Scully gave his entire professional life to the people of Northwest Indiana. Self-described as the "luckiest man in the world" for having met and married his wife of 60 years, Joan Carol, Dr. Scully was keenly devoted to, and incredibly loved by Joan. At the time of their initial meeting, Joan was the Chief Medical Technologist where Dr. Scully was a medical resident in training. He gained her attention by constantly ordering “Stat” procedures at night. That was the last time he gave her an "order." Together, they created a loving and wonderful family filled with four children and eight grandchildren who will dearly miss their Dad and "Poppa." Born March 10, 1924 at Mercy Hospital in Gary, Dr. Scully attended Holy Angels grade school and graduated from Horace Mann High School. After beginning undergraduate studies at Indiana University and establishing deep friendships in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, Dr. Scully volunteered for the U.S. Army and honorably served the country during World War II as a Lieutenant in the Army Medical Administrative Corps. Following additional training and education at The Citadel during the war, Dr. Scully completed his undergraduate studies and medical school at the University of Maryland with the assistance of the GI Bill. Receiving his Doctor of Medicine in 1951, Dr. Scully was a member of the Rush Medical Honorary. Completing his residency in Internal Medicine at the Youngstown Hospital Association where he served as Chief Resident, Dr. Scully then became certified as a specialist in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Scully practiced medicine in Lake County for almost five decades and cared for thousands of Northwest Indiana residents. Upon his retirement in 2000, St. Mary's Hospital named its intensive care unit the "John T. Scully ICU." Dr. Scully had served as Medical Director of that ICU for 27 years. He also served the St. Mary's community as Chairman of the Department of Medicine, as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the medical staff, Director of the Cardiodiagnostics Division of the hospital, Chairman of the Institutional Review Board overseeing research projects at the hospital, and Chairman of the Critical Care Committee for many years. Dr. Scully was a founding partner of Internal Medicine Associates. He taught for many years at the medical school located at IU Northwest. Dr. Scully also served on the medical staffs of St. Anthony of Crown Point, Methodist Hospital, and St. Mary’s Medical Center of Hobart, IN. At Methodist Hospital, he served as Chairman of the Department of Medicine, and as a member of the Executive Council. Dr. Scully served on the Board of Directors of the Lakeshore Hospital System overseeing St. Mary's and St. Catherine’s. He was a member of the Lake County Medical Society, Indiana State Medical Association, and the American College of Physicians. He was also a life member of the Elm Society of the University of Maryland Medical School Alumni Association. For his generous service to the community and his fellow man, Dr. Scully received numerous awards and recognitions including the Sagamore of the Wabash Award from the Governor of Indiana, the Blessed Mary Katherine Kasper Healthcare Award given to a single physician annually, the American Heart Association's Heart of Gold Award, the Shamrock Award from the Friendly Sons of Erin and recognition as Andrean Man of the Year. Among other causes, Dr. Scully served the community as the first Co-Chairman of the Andrean High School Foundation, and on the first Board of Directors of the Gary Diocese Foundation. Dr. Scully was a longtime member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, a member of the University Club and Innsbrook Country Club. A complete sports addict, he intensely followed IU basketball, Notre Dame football, and, most importantly, the Andrean '59ers. Dr. Scully is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Joan; and four cherished children: Dr. Sharon Harig (Dr. James) of Dyer, IN, John A. Scully (Karen) of Dallas,TX , Susan Scully of Valparaiso, IN, and Dr. Thomas Scully (Dawn) of Tucson, AZ. Also surviving are eight grandchildren of whom Dr. Scully was very proud: James Harig (Erika) of Chicago, John P. Harig of Chicago, Colleen Harig of San Diego, CA, Sara Scully of Greencastle, IN, John C. Scully of Galveston, TX, Laura Scully of Dallas, TX, Thomas Scully and Caroline Scully of Tucson, AZ. He is also survived by his sister, Madeline Scully Cowgill and her children, Carol Kramer, David Cowgill and Colette Eligator; and sister, Betty Scully Martin’s children, Madeline Lott and Marianne Martin Kilkenny. He was preceded in death by his parents: Jack and Laura Scully; and sister, Betty Scully Martin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 509 W. Division Road, Valparaiso, IN 46385 with Father Doug Mayer officiating. Visitation will be Friday, November 22, 2013 from 3:00-8:00 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, IN 46307 and Saturday, November 23, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Burial will be at Calumet Park Cemetery, 2305 W. 73rd Avenue, Merrillville, IN To honor Dr. Scully at the time of his retirement, colleagues, family, and friends created in his name an IU Northwest School of Medicine Scholarship fund dedicated to the education of medical students of Lake and Porter County. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Dr. John Scully Medical Scholarship Fund, c/o The Legacy Foundation, 1000 E. 80th Place, North Tower 420, Merrillville, IN 46410. A special thank you to Dr. P. R. Unni, Dr. Peter Mavrelis, Dr. Nazzal Obaid, St. Mary Medical Center and home health care nurse, Debbie Goetz. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.burnsfuneral.com.