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Joseph Richard Gentile DDS
1930 - 2019
Joseph Richard Gentile DDS
1930 - 2019
Obituary
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Joseph Gentile Obituary
JOSEPH RICHARD GENTILE, DDS
February 5, 1930 April 5, 2019
Joseph slipped the surly bonds of earth on April 5, 2019. He put out his hands and touched the face of God.
Joseph was born on February 5, 1930 in Pueblo, CO to Peter and Mary Gentile. He attended Regis University and received his DDS from Creighton University. Upon graduation, he was commissioned into the United States Navy and served in the Dental Corps. Following active duty, Joseph continued as a reservist for 27 years, retiring as a Captain. To ensure the Navy continued to find the best and brightest, he served as a Blue and Gold Officer for the United States Naval Academy.
After active duty, Joseph returned to Colorado and put down his dental roots. He started his private practice in Security, CO and eventually moved to Colorado Springs. Joseph practiced dentistry for 60 years. Never were smiles made brighter than by Joseph's dentistry or by his legendary humor! Joseph kept people laughing all the way to the end and surely the angels are smiling a bit brighter today.
Forensic odontology was his career passion. Advocating for victims of abuse and crime, his work was a great asset to the legal system. Joseph helped bring peace of mind and closure to families through his forensic work at the crash of United Flight 585 in Widefield Park, the Storm King Mountain fire in Glenwood Springs, 9/11 Ground Zero, and Hurricane Katrina. He also served as Deputy Coroner for El Paso County.
Dr. Gentile will be remembered by his countless patients, co-participants in professional organizations, and his friends from the El Paso County coroner's office. Joseph invested in the future of dentistry and the community as a mentor to many young professionals over the course of his long career.
Joseph's memory and legacy will forever be cherished by his children Kathleen (John) Thirkell, Michael (Pamela) Gentile, Cheryl (David) Kitley, and Patrick (Susan) Gentile.
He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren Anthony, Brian (Amy), Deanna (Dustin), David, Steven, Brett, Natalie, and Desiree.
Joseph is also survived by Ann Armit, his siblings Vince (Anna Lee) Gentile and Jeanne (James) Pagano, several nieces and nephews, and his cousins in Monopoli, Italy.
Rosary service scheduled for 9:30 a.m., Thursday, April 11, 2019 at St. Paul Catholic Church, 9 El Pomar Rd., Colorado Springs, CO followed by the Memorial Mass at 10:00 a.m.
In honor of Joseph's military commitment, please consider wearing red, white, and blue to his service.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Pikes Peak Humane Society or Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the Pikes Peak Region.
Joseph will forever be in our hearts.
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Keri
April 18, 2019
I worked for Dr Gentile for close to 19 yrs. I learned so much and loved the man he was. Always put patients 1st and loved every single one as a friend. Miss you Doc still so hard for me to believe. No doubt in my mind you are up in heaven telling your jokes..
April 17, 2019
What a very shocking news. It took me off the guard when I learned his recent passing.i have had him as a dentist almost 4 decades. His sense of humor made my visit very memorable and pleasant. He was a great dentist who really cared about his patients including me. I'm going to miss him terribly. Rest in peace, Dr. Gentile.
Cazzell family
April 17, 2019
My husband's family were patients of Dr. Gentile's since they were children and after our marriage, I too became a patient of his. He was so great and was a lot of fun - we were so bummed to hear about his accident and the fact he had to retire...and are as equally upset to hear of his passing. Rest In Peace doc and give em heck in heaven :)
Liz Hageman
April 17, 2019
Dr Gentile was my dentist for over 20 years, what a great man, and dentist. I loved his sense of humor.
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Christina Broughton
April 13, 2019
I had the pleasure of spending time with Joe during Hurricane Katrina during a DMORT deployment. He was kind and friendly and always willing to share his beloved necco wafers. I will miss him...
Linda Quinlan, RDH
April 13, 2019
It was a great experience to work for you. I especially miss your "joke of the week"! Rest in peace Doc!
Elaine Wikner
April 13, 2019
Joe was such a good dentist and friend to our family. We will definitely miss him.
The Wikner Family
Nancy Cooper
April 11, 2019
Oh Joe-- what great memories we made on those trips to Annapolis back in the day. You were my Navy buddy, my dentist (I used to come back to Colorado every 6 months just because I didn't want to find another dentist), and a good friend -- oh how I missed you and loved your dedication to your family, your country, your patients and to you your friends. May your family be comforted by the many memories they have of you. Blessings
David Kitley
April 10, 2019
having heard so many complimentary remarks about Joe, for miles apart: I regret not being able to visit with him more. He is father to my daughter-in-law ( Cheryl). He is a fellow Navy officer and a great American.
Edie Snyder
April 10, 2019
God bless and welcome to heaven this incredibly warm and wonderful man. Our family visited Doc Gentile for excellent dental service from the 1980's through his retirement. We always found Joe to be humble, hysterical, and conscientious in his dental practice. His jokes about the "Schmetterling" will always be missed. In more recent years, we loved running into Joe at Costco on Nevada Avenue, as he always had a smile and a joke for us. We wish him fair winds and friendly seas, and hope he says "hi" to my Dad Herman for us. May God keep his family and loved ones in the hollow of His hand during this time of sorrow.
RIP, Doc Joe
- from The Snyder and Hoggenmiller families
April 10, 2019
It was always an interesting conversation when I would see Joe at the AAFS meetings; great humor, good friend, and a true gentleman.
My sympathy to his family,
Pamela Hammel, Grosse Pointe MI>
April 10, 2019
Joe, Josey, your dedication to your family and friends will never be forgotten! Your stories and jokes always made us laugh. Rest in peace and say Hi to Frankie for us!
Love, Perry, Lucinda, Samantha and Lindsey
Jeff Zealley
April 10, 2019
Oh, how he could make me laugh! I knew Joe through DMORT. He was a great team member and everyone loved him. There was never a dull moment or a sad face if he was around. He certainly had a gift of helping people enjoy life! May God bless dear Dr. Gentile and his family.
Jodi Wallace
April 10, 2019
What wonderful memories we have of this very special loving and caring man. We were his patients from 1969 to his retirement. He kept us all laughing with his wonderful sense of humor. He was quite the entertainer! He will be greatly missed but never forgotten! Prayers to his beautiful family.
Chuck Freese
April 10, 2019
Dr. Gentile was my dentist from the time I was 6 until I graduated from college. My visits were always fun and his joking around always made the dentist visit much easier to take for someone so young. He was a very kind man.
Brenda Kramer
April 10, 2019
Thoughts and prayers to the family. Joe will missed he will never be forgotten. Will miss his stories and jokes. He was a very special person always made me laugh. God Bless
Jan Farish
April 10, 2019
"Doc", you will always be remembered for your wit and compassion for your patients in years past. Jim and I looked forward to seeing you and came home with your stories and jokes to share and were blessed to be among your friends.
May your family find comfort and peace. God Bless
Robert Marino
April 10, 2019
Sorry for the loss , to a very special man , caring , loving , a wonderful person . Thoughts & prayers to the family & friends .R I P, Memories always .
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