Joseph Anthony Leistyna M.D.

Joseph Anthony Leistyna, MD, 74, peacefully passed on January 6, 2006, after a long illness. A dedicated pediatrician, Dr. Leistyna worked tirelessly for 42 years as a champion for children and families at risk. Born February 26, 1931 in NY, NY, he was the son of the late Dr. Arthur and Margaret (Maresch) Leistyna. Raised in Ilion, NY, he graduated Valedictorian from Ilion High School in 1948. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Hamilton College in 1952 and earned an MD from the University of Rochester in 1956. Upon completion of a Pediatric Internship at Yale University School of Medicine in 1957, he enlisted as a Captain in the United States Air Force and was Chief of Pediatric Services, Rhein Main Air Force Base in Germany. In 1960 he returned home to complete his residency in Pediatrics at the University of Colorado Medical Center where he then served as Chief Resident from 19611962. He then received a Fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology at Ohio State University. In 1972 he opened a Pediatric practice in Culpeper; chaired the Dept. of Pediatrics & Family Medicine at the Culpeper Memorial Hospital; was Project Pediatrician, County Pediatric Screening Program, VA State Dept. of Health; and chaired the County Child Protection Team (the first community based team in VA). He was a member of the Pediatric Staff at the University of CT Health Center and School of Medicine, Farmington from 1975-79; Director of the Univ. of CT Child Protection Program and Chairman of the UCONN Child Protection Team; Project Pediatrician, State of CT Child Abuse & Neglect Demonstration Center; Medical Consultant, Governor's Case Incident Review for Child Abuse, Dept. of Children and Youth Services. From 1979-91, he was a member of the Medical Staff at the University of MA Medical Center, Worcester. He also was on the Medical Staffs of Monson Developmental Center and Belchertown State School where he became Director of Emergency Medical Services and Medical Director. In 1988, he was Director of Medical Support Services, a staff physician for the Mental Retardation Unit, and medical consultant for Worcester State Hospital. In 1991, he went on to become the Medical Director at the Western Carolina Center in Morganton, NC. In 1998 he retired to Massachusetts from his long career in medicine. Surviving are his children, Lori Leistyna of Hatfield, Ma., Tracy Carey of Hollywood, Md., Jeff of Hatfield, Ma., Pepi Leistyna of Scituate, Ma., and Kara Leistyna, of Whately, Ma.; five grandchildren, Evan and Lyle Carey, Dylan and Katherine Merrill and Bebe Leistyna; his sister, Sylvia (Leistyna) Lahvis and Dr. Frederick Lahvis and their sons, Garet and Matthew. His wife of thirty years, Rita (Geoffrion) Leistyna, died in 1988. Memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org or call 800-272-3900.