Joseph Calvin College of Oceanside, CA passed away at his home on June 15, 2024 at the age of 85. He was born in 1938 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Roy and Mary College. He lived with his large, tight-knit, extended Italian family in Philadelphia until they all migrated west to Los Angeles and settled in the San Fernando Valley. He did his undergraduate studies at St. Joseph University in Philadelphia and his medical school education at UCLA in Los Angeles. Joe co-founded Escondido Dermatology in 1970 in Escondido and served the North County and greater San Diego area for 45 years. He was one of the earliest directors of Cal Derm and served on that board for over 20 years. He volunteered as an attending physician at UCSD dermatology residency program for more than 20 years where he met Dr. Nancy Chen, who joined and eventually took over his practice when he retired. She considers him the most amazing physician, mentor, business partner and friend. She reports that patients still ask about him daily. He had a particular love of traveling. Joe spent his childhood summers on the Jersey Shore in Sea Isle City where later in life he purchased a summer home. For decades he spent his summers coast-hopping with his beloved wife Judy. Joe and Judy often visited his children in the Pacific Northwest and spent as much time as they could in Italy, the birthplace of his mother.Joe was vibrant, active and curious right until the end of his wonderful life. Fluent in Italian, he was always studying, reading books in Italian and cooking Italian food for his much-loved family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Roy and Mary College and his first wife Rachelle Morency College. He is survived by his wife Judith Nelson College, and his 3 children Maria (Scott Smith), Philip (Jill College), and Angela, his grandchildren Benjamin, Elisabeth, Eva and Jude. Joe was a loving step-father to Betsy (Bud), Tom (Kurtney), Blair, Kim and Matt (Leigh) and a grandfather to their children Tommy, Quinn, Natalie, Charlie, Lucy Nicholas and Riley. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral mass for Joe on Saturday July 6 at 3 pm at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church at 609 Pier View Way in Oceanside, CA. A gathering will follow across the street at the Oceanside Museum of Art.In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Doctors Without Borders.

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Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Jun. 23, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph College

22 Entries

Carol DeMoss Thatcher

May 8, 2025

The best employer I ever worked for in my life, personable, fun loving, kind and so good to all of us that worked side by side for him six years from 1970 to 1977. It was the best office atmosphere there ever was. He became a good friend to my husband and I. There are not enough kind words to say about this great man. He will always be in my heart forever
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Hugh Stewart

May 7, 2025

I am saddened to learn about the passing of Dr. College. I was fortunate enough to have met him while dating his daughter, Angela. I remember him to have been a very kind man and father. RIP Dr. Joe.

Harry D. Carrozza,MD.

August 12, 2024

My memory of Joe takes me back to Sept. 1956 where he & I co matriculated as pre med students at St. Joseph´s College in Philadelphia.
Because of our names we were seat mates in many classes where we sat next to each other.
Joe put St. Joes on the global map after Ripley´s Believe or Not published "Believe or Not Joe College attends St. Joes College in Phila."
Fast forward fifty years after my wife & I moved west to Tucson,Az..we met up with my old biology professor, Dr. Katy Nash in the San Diego area who directed us back to Joe.
We visited him & Judy in Oceanside where we reflected on past memories of our time in Phila.
The Class of 1960 produced my fine & compassionate physicians in the old traditional Jesuit fashion.
Thereafter, on returning from Mexico Joe & Judy visited us in Tucson..
Last time we saw him was at our 50 th Class reunion in Philly in 2010.
Blessingly, God grants us lifetime friendships which make our journey through life rewarding& sustaining
May God bless Judy & the entire College family.
Suzanne& Harry Carrozza
Tucson, Arizona

Karla Welch

July 5, 2024

Dr. College was always a thoughtful kind person to me. Even when I last saw him in March, he told me how glad he was that I survived my illness and how worried he was.
The world has lost a wonderful person. My heart goes out to Phil, Maria, Angel and Wife Judy.

Steve Sparks

June 30, 2024

A truly momentous loss. I had just turned 18 years old when I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Joe College through his son, Phil. We were both freshmen at Northern Arizona University and quickly became close friends and neighbors in the dorm. After a tumultuous first year in the dorms, Phil and I became roommates (both on and off-campus) and, at various points in time, Maria was our roommate, too. It was during that time that I really got to know Dr. College.

He was always super friendly, down-to-earth, and a great conversationalist. Although I never knew Dr. College in his professional capacity, I always appreciated his willingness to bring his dermatology skills to NAU, where he was frequently asked to "take a look" at our chronic teenage acne. He was awesome!

It was always clear to me how much Dr. College's kids adored and respected him and they always looked forward to the next time. He was hugely important to Phil, Maria and Angel and, as Maria recently put it, they "really lucked out in the Dad department. They absolutely did.

Maria, Phil and Angel, I am so sorry for your loss. He will be missed, but his humor, his wit and his smarts will carry on through his three wonderful kids.

Daniela

Planted Trees

Phil and Krista Gould

June 27, 2024

What a wonderful man he was. I know he was treasured by all who knew him. Sending much love to you all at this difficult time.

Mark Culbertson

June 26, 2024

Dr. College was our next door neighbor with a very cool family. There always seemed to be something fun going on at the College household. I recently had the opportunity to re-connect with Joe at our mother's memorial in March, and we had the most wonderful conversation re-connecting. He was so nice and cordial to speak to. We had talked about his love of Italian food cooking, and I had hoped to contact him to get one of his recipes that I could adopt in my household. Alas, it is difficult to accept that this fantastic man has passed. I am shocked and saddened by his sudden transition. Joe was in every sense a classy, wonderful and loveable human being. My words here can in no way express what his loss is to our world. To Phil, Maria and Angel I am so sorry for your loss. Your father was wonderful, and your family was a joy to know. I am so glad we got to be neighbors. I wish you all the best. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.

Marcia Culbertson Proctor

June 25, 2024

I was so saddened to hear the news about Dr. College. I had been overjoyed to see him recently, after many many years, at my Mother's Memorial service in Escondido. He was still so handsome, and charming, with that same twinkle in his eyes! I have the fondest memories of sharing a neighborhood and a cul-de-sac with the College children: Maria, Phillip and Angel, of babysitting, and of the wonderful close friendship they had with our youngest family member, Scott. And our parents always thought he hung the moon! The three of you could not have had a better Dad. I know how much you will miss him-such a smart doctor, so polished, friendly, and kind. We were lucky to have you as neighbors, and Escondido was lucky to have had Dr. College as a health care provider!

Malcolm Culbertson

June 25, 2024

Dr College always came across as so bright and approachable, a wonderful combination. I used to run around barefoot in high school and as a result got plantar warts on the soles of my feet. Joe was merciless! He killed those plantar warts with a powerful application of liquid nitrogen. OUCH! i mean he went medieval on those things! Some doctors want you to come back and come back and come back. Not Joe. One and done, baby! I loved him for that.

To Maria, Phillip, and Angel .. sincere condolences.

Andy

June 25, 2024

Kim and I were very saddened to hear about the loss of Joe. What a nice man. Always kind. Funny. Smart. A skill of his maybe less known than the cooking was the singing. I picture him doing that now.

Jeanine Thomas

June 24, 2024

One of my fondest memories of joe with him recommending murder mystery authors for me. Because of that, I became a big with Nelson Deville addict. I´m so sorry I will be unable to attend the Celebration of his life on the sixth. Work calls, but he would understand. Love you all. I´m so sorry for your loss. For all of our losses, he was a truly amazing human being.

Miriam and Tony Ortega

June 24, 2024

It´s never easy to find the right words to say that can help heal a broken heart. Losing a parent is an unimaginable pain. Please remember that you´re not alone in your grief. Know that you have the love and support of your friends and family to help you through this difficult journey.

Kelly M Smith

June 24, 2024

Doug and I were heart broken to hear of Joe's passing. He was the heart of his family and we were lucky to have been a small part of that. Your memoryand that wonderful smile will always be in our hearts. Sending love to your family, Doug and Kelly Smith and family

Dawn Bailey

June 23, 2024

What a pleasure it was to work with Dr. College for so many years. He was always so kind at the holidays, inviting us into his home and always lots of fun and laughs. You will be deeply missed for many reasons by all that knew you. As the paper says.... Patients ask daily if we still see Dr. College. His patients will be sad to hear this news. God bless Judy and family. You are still very dear to my heart.

Dawn Bailey

S. Culbertson

June 23, 2024

I was blessed to know "Dr. College" and his family for nearly my entire life. He was an amazing person with a great sense of humor and a keen intellect. He had a great love of the arts, music, Italian opera, literature. He could tell you in great detail about the acoustic experience of attending a Puccini opera at La Scala. He radiated enthusiasm as he recounted tales of his some of his travels.

He was an excellent dermatologist, and once he even sewed up my lower lip on a Sunday evening when I was injured in a work-accident as a teenager while my parents were out of town and I was home alone. He could have been a plastic surgeon with how well it turned out!

It is truly a tragedy that he has left us; this world is a darker, poorer place without his light.

God Bless his family in this sad time.

Dolores Black

June 23, 2024

Sadness fills my heart to hear about Dr. College passing. I will remember him always a great and amazing boss and great friend. I will miss him. My condolences to his family. Judy, Phillip, Maria,Angel and grandchildren. May God be with you all and comfort you in this hard time.
Much love,
Dolores Black

Dale and Lynn Reis

June 23, 2024

Dale and I are very sorry to hear this news! Sending our condolences and love to Judy and family. Dale and Lynn Reis

Pat

June 23, 2024

Joe was a wonderful guy to know I am blessed to have known him. I ran a small coffee house in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle and anytime he and Judy would come to town they always came by for a visit. Joe's Seattle family are such exceptional people very much like Joe that when you meet them it's just like meeting Joe. Warm, kind, giving, funny, helpful. May Joe rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon him.

Cheryl Mugel Soos

June 23, 2024

I married into Joe's, Calvin to me, family when we were very young. He became like a brother to me and we shared a life time of events and memories, up and down. He will always be in my heart. God Bless Judy, Maria, Philip, Angel and all his grandkids plus all the extended family. He is already missed.

Nancie

June 23, 2024

I only met Joe a few times, but the attachment and love I experienced by his daughter Maria and her family rank him in the very top tier of dads. I know his loss is running so deep. Sending you love...and may his memory be a blessing.

Maggie and Mike Herlihy

June 23, 2024

Truly a wonderful, warm hearted man. It was a pleasure to know him. Sincere condolences to his loving family.

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