Joseph S. Stratigos M.D.

Aug. 31, 1922 - June 19, 2010
SOUTH BEND - Joseph Spyridon Stratigos, M.D., 87, of Notre Dame, IN, and Naples, FL, passed away at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 2010, in the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka, surrounded by his family. He was born August 31, 1922, in South Bend, IN, the son of the late Spyridon G. and Mary (Miller) Stratigos. On January 26, 1947, in Battle Creek, MI, Joseph married the former Elizabeth "Betty" J. Gaza, who survives. They were lifelong residents of South Bend, IN, while spending half of the year in Naples, FL, for many years. In addition to Betty, his wife of 63 years, Joseph is survived by four daughters, Mary E. (Lee) Stratigos Bryant of Indianapolis, IN, Susan J. (Thomas) Stratigos Scanlon of South Bend, IN, Diana (Kevin) Stratigos Garvey of Hudson, OH, and Anne M. Stratigos Ganser of Lafayette, IN; seven grandchildren, Brian J. Garvey, Stefanie Gustine, Elliot Garvey, Theresa Ganser, Kyle Garvey, John Ganser and Sarah Scanlon; two nephews, Spyridon and John; and one niece, Amelia. Joseph was preceded in death by one brother, former attorney George S. Stratigos. Dr. Stratigos was a graduate of South Bend Central High School, the University of Notre Dame, and Indiana University in Bloomington. He received his medical training at the IU Medical Center. Since this was war time, his medical training was accelerated through the Army Specialized Training Program from 1943-1945. He served as a captain, Medical Corps, U.S. Army, from 1946-1948. He served as a general practitioner in South Bend until 1959, when he relocated his wife and four children to Evanston, IL, so that he could further his medical education to specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation. He trained and later served as Chief of Rehabilitation Medical Services at the VA Lakeside Medical Center in Chicago, IL. Dr. Stratigos also served as associate professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago. He served as Director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at St. Joseph Hospital in South Bend from 1962-1969, and served as St. Joseph County Coroner for two years in the 1960s. Dr. Stratigos was a member of the American Medical Association, St. Joseph County Medical Society, the American Congress of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Association of Electromyography & Electrodiagnosis, the Illinois Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Pan-American Medical Association. Joseph was also a member of St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church and AHEPA, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association. Funeral services for Joseph will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 24, 2010, in the Palmer Funeral Home - Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, with the Rev. George Konstantopoulous of St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church officiating. Military graveside rites and burial will follow at Highland Cemetery, South Bend. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. today, June 23, 2010, in the funeral home, where a Trisagion Service will take place at 7:00 p.m. Expressions of sympathy on behalf of Dr. Stratigos may be sent to the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, 5215 Holy Cross Parkway, Mishawaka, IN 46545. Online condolences may be sent to the Stratigos family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.