Dr. Joseph Richard Gazala

1922 - 2022

GAZALA, Dr. Joseph Richard, Born February 15, 1922 passed from this life surrounded by his loving family on the evening of November 12, at the age of 100. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 61 years, Rose Naman Gazala. He leaves behind his two daughters, Cathy Schaffer (Jeff) of Atlanta, Georgia, Jean Watson (Beech) of Jacksonville, Florida; his two grandchildren, Samuel Joseph Schaffer and Lauren Rose Schaffer; as well as his sister, Josephine Ballou of San Jose, California; and a great number of nieces, nephews and cousins located around the world.

Joe was born in Mosul, Iraq and raised in Baghdad, where he attended the Royal College of Medicine and where his lifelong passion for the field of medicine began. He emigrated to the United States in 1953 and completed both his post-graduate studies in ophthalmology at New York University and his residency training at New York University - Bellevue Medical Center. In 1965, Joe completed a Fellowship at The American College of Surgeons in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

In 1955, Joe married Rose Naman and after their two daughters were born, they moved their young family to Richmond, Virginia, where Joe resided for over 60 years. In 1958, Joe established his private ophthalmology practice and served the Richmond community as a highly respected physician for over 30 years. Throughout his medical career, he worked on the surgical staff of both Richmond Eye and Ear Hospital and the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical College of Virginia (VCU MCV). In addition to his private practice, Joe also served as a faculty member and also as an associate clinical professor of ophthalmology at MCV. He was an active member of the Richmond Academy of Medicine, American Medical Association and American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Joe was a man of many accomplishments and had many interests and unique hobbies. He enjoyed playing golf and tennis at Willow Oaks Country Club with his family and friends and was a regular at the Club's "chicken night." He even wrote and published a book about cutting hair. He was vigilant about his health and committed to daily swims and long walks. Joe and Rose traveled the world, but were always grateful to come back to their beloved home in Richmond.

Joe was a devoted family man. He was instrumental in helping many of his family members emigrate from Iraq by donating resources and time to ensure that they were comfortable and that they would be able to continue their higher education once they arrived stateside. Nothing brought a larger smile to his face than his twin grandchildren, Sam and Lauren! His long life afforded him the opportunity to see them grow up and become responsible young adults. He was thrilled when Lauren followed in his footsteps to become an ophthalmologist.

In December 2020, Joe moved to Florida to be closer to family, but he remained connected to the Richmond community. He strongly believed in giving back to the city that had provided so much to him and in 2012, he established the Joseph R. Gazala M.D. Scholarship Fund at VCU's Medical College of Virginia. He had the great pleasure of meeeting and spending time with several of the scholarship recipients. In 2018, he established the Joseph R. Gazala M.D. Family Lectureship Fund in ophthalmology, and remained involved with VCU and these established Funds until his passing.

Dr. Joe will be rememebered for his deep passion for medicine, his steadfast discipline, his inquisitive nature as well as his zest for knowledge, his generosity and his stubborn resolve. As the patriarch of a large extended family, Joe was a true mentor, an inspiration and a trusted source of wisdom and guidance to all that knew him. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on in the lives of all the people that he graciously and generously touched.

A Memorial Mass will be held at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 823 Cathedral Place, Richmond, Virginia 23220 on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 12 noon followed by a reception at Willow Oaks Country Club, 6228 Forest Hill Ave.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Joseph R. Gazala M.D. Scholarship Fund. Please contact Nathan.bick@vcuhealth.org or mail to MCV Foundation-VCU Health, Box 980234, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0234.