Dr. Jose F. "Joe" del Rosario

1935 - 2021

Dr. Jose F. "Joe" del Rosario passed away on Sunday, March 14, 2021, at Riddle Hospital in Media, Pennsylvania, surrounded by his wife and children. He was 85 years old.

Dr. del Rosario was born in the Philippines in 1935 to Crisanto and Liwanag del Rosario. Although he often dreamed of being a fighter pilot, he was a dutiful son who followed his parents' wishes and pursued a career in medicine. Dr. del Rosario attended college and medical school in the Philippines where he met his wife Juliet and they had their first son J. Fernando. Dr. del Rosario then came to the United States for a medical residency at Elizabeth General Hospital in Elizabeth, New Jersey. His career next took him to Detroit, Michigan, where he worked at St. John Hospital in Grosse Pointe. He and his family moved back to the Philippines for a short time, where Dr. del Rosario was a consulting physician at the Far Eastern University Hospital, and where the family quickly grew with the addition of his only daughter, J. Patricia. Dr. del Rosario next accepted a position at Baptist Health in Louisville, Kentucky. His last career stop was a position at Mercy Memorial Hospital in Monroe, Michigan, where Dr. del Rosario (or "Dr. Del" as he was called) served as Chief of Surgery and Chief of Staff. He spent thirty years dedicated to serving the people of Monroe County. Dr. del Rosario, his wife and kids, including son Jose "Joe" Jr. who was born at St. John Hospital, spent many happy years as part of the Monroe County community. His kids attended St. Mary Parish, Catholic Central, St. Mary Academy, and Monroe High School respectively. The only reason Dr. and Mrs. del Rosario left Monroe was to be closer to their children and grandchildren on the east coast after retirement. In retirement, he spent his time doing the things which he enjoyed the most: traveling with his wife, spending time with his grandchildren, and working in the yard to relax.

Dr. del Rosario is survived by his wife, Juliet; son, Dr. J. Fernando (Mylene), daughter, J. Patricia (Paul), and son, Jose "Joe" Jr. (Marcella), grandsons J.J. and Jalen, granddaughter Juliet, and the family of his brother, Crisanto Jr., who preceded Dr. del Rosario in death, and his brother Quirino and his family.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, anyone wishing to make such a gesture to honor Dr. del Rosario is encouraged by the family to make a contribution to ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital (formerly Mercy Memorial Hospital), where Dr. del Rosario spent the majority of his career tirelessly serving the people of Monroe County, or to Riddle Hospital in Media, PA, where Dr. del Rosario received excellent care.

Chandler Funeral Homes & Crematory in Wilmington, Delaware, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. In keeping with the family's wishes, funeral services will be private. Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at https://www.chandlerfuneralhome.com/obituaries.