Dr. Joel Rappeport

RAPPEPORT, DR. JOEL M. Dr. Joel M. Rappeport, 71, of Woodbridge, Conn, died January 16, 2011, at his home. Born June 10, 1939 in Quincy, Mass, he was the son of Arthur and Rose (Shauffer) Rappeport. He was a former resident of Quincy, Mass, and Belmont, Mass. A graduate of Thayer Academy, Joel married Linda (Sloane) Rappeport on July 1, 1962, and they spent many happy years together. He was a graduate of Yale University and Tufts Medical School. He served two years in Japan in the U.S. Air Force. His medical career spanned decades, beginning at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston as a member of the Hematology Department, as well as Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Rappeport later became a full professor at Yale University Medical School and director of the Yale/New Haven Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant unit. He was also named Teacher of the Year at Yale Medical School. He is remembered by his patients and colleagues as a dedicated doctor and teacher who was a pioneer in the field of bone marrow transplants. Dr. Rappeport was also a former member of the Board of Directors for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Aplastic Anemia Society. He enjoyed spending time on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire on Melody Island and at Camp Alton as both a camper and later as a camp physician. Dr. Rappeport was predeceased by his loving wife, Linda Rappeport; a brother-in-law, Dr. Nelson Burstein; and his parents. He is survived by his children, Amy Rappeport of Swampscott, MA and Steven Rappeport and Victoria Willette, of Farmington, NH; his sister, Muriel Burstein of Wayland, MA; many nephews, friends and colleagues. Joel and his family were grateful for the care he received during his long illness from George Kasumba, Dr. Leo Cooney and many others. Funeral Services at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA Wednesday morning at 10:45 o'clock. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or to The Aplastic Anemia Society. Funeral arrangements in care of the Robert E. Shure Funeral Home, New Haven, CT. www.shurefuneralhome.com