Dr. Joseph G. DiStasio

Dr. Joseph G. DiStasio Dr. Joseph G. DiSatasio of Vero Beach, FL, and Melrose, MA, a retired Orthodontist and Parliamentarian, died on June 4, 2006, at the Melrose Wakefield Hospital after a brief illness. He was 82 years old. Born in Revere, MA in 1923, Dr. DiStasio graduated from Revere High School in 1941. He attended Tufts University and graduated with degrees in both Dentistry and Orthodontics. Following graduation from Dental School, he served as a Captain with the US Army, returning to Revere to practice. Orthodontics until his retirement in 1991. Throughout these years he taught at Tufts, leaving the faculty in 1996 as Clinical Professor of Orthodontics. Dr. DiStasio acquired an early interest in parliamentary procedure and received his Certification and Registration as a Professional Parliamentarian and Teacher. He served for several years as a meeting consultant and parliamentarian for many organizations. He also served as Speaker of the House of Delegates of the American Dental Association and as President of several organizations including the Massachusetts Dental Society, Northeastern Society of Orthodontists, the American Board of Orthodontics, and the American Institute of Parliamentarians. He received many honors during his professional career, including the Etherington Award from the Massachusetts Dental Society, the Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of Orthodontists, Tufts University, and the Northeastern Society of Orthodontists. The latter is named for him. Dr. DiStasio was presently the President of The MOAA-Military Officers Association of America. He was married to the late Marion (Dillon) and leaves two daughters, Kim Bradley of Melrose, MA and Lori DiStasio of Pelham, NH, as well as four grandchildren, Stephen, Joseph and Matthew Perrotti and Jessica Alfano. He is also survived by his wife Lillian (Masucci/McNaught) and three sisters, Florence Morelli of Maine, Norma Spadoni and Evelyn Avallone of MA and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Mafalda Emanuele, Dr. Guy DiStasio, and Dr. Eugene DiStasio and Matilda DiStasio. In lieu of flowers, please send your donation in his memory to Mended Hearts Inc., Chapter 235, P.O. Box 341, Vero Beach, Florida 32961-0431. A funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 in the Church of the Incarnation, Melrose, MA followed by the interment in Wyoming Cemetery, in Melrose.