Joseph A. Prezio M.D.

1933 - 2024

Prezio, MD, Joseph A.
RENSSELAER - Dr. Joseph A. Prezio died on October 20, 2024 unexpectedly at St. Peter's Hospital, Albany, N.Y. He was born in Troy, N.Y., the firstborn son of Anthony and Carmella Prezio on December 30, 1933.
Joe was a 1951 graduate of LaSalle Institute of Troy, a 1955 honors graduate of Manhattan College, and a cum laude graduate from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1959. He was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical National Honor Society. He served his Internship at Buffalo Mercy Hospital and residency and fellowship training in Endocrinology and Nuclear Medicine at Georgetown University and the NIH. He spent his entire professional medical career in Buffalo, New York. As a pioneer in the field of Nuclear Medicine he built the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Buffalo Mercy Hospital along with the residency training program in Nuclear Medicine at SUNY/Buffalo, where he was Professor and Chairman. Dr. Prezio was instrumental in bringing positron emission testing (PET) to New York State and built a cyclotron to produce the radio-pharmaceuticals at the Buffalo VA Hospital.
Joe served his country honorably as a member of the Army Reserve from 1967 -1973 in the position of Commanding Officer of the 365th General Hospital Unit in Niagara Falls, N.Y. An amateur Civil War historian, Joe authored numerous papers and lectured widely on the life of General Ulysses S. Grant. He donated his collection of scholarly works about Civil War Generals to the US Grant Association and Presidential Library at Mississippi State University. He was honored to be presented with the John Y. Simon award of Merit by the US Grant Library in 2015. Other scholarly writings included the life of 2nd LT William Sullivan, 147th NYVI.
Joe's deep interest in genealogy lead to publication of the Beecher-Tatko family history, and the Prezio, DeGiorgio, Federici and Meliti family history by requesting pertinent information from the family branches.
As an accomplished pianist with a gift for being able to fake anything, his musical career included a piano gig with Guy Lombardo at the Waldorf Astoria on New Year's Eve in 1957. He showcased his E-flat tuba mastery with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican while on music tour with his concert band. Locally, in his retirement years, he was a longstanding tuba player for the Colonie Towne Band and a banjo player for the Tri-County Banjo Band. While living year-round at the Chautauqua Institution, Joe coordinated five amateur musician ensembles whose monies went to support scholarships for students in the Chautauqua School of Music.
Joe's core values were ever present and his service to others was constant. He was a man of faith and treated every person he ever met with kindness and fairness.
Joe was married for 65 years to his beloved wife, Anne. He is survived by his daughter, Dr. Elizabeth A. Prezio (John J. Boltz, III); and son, Joseph A. Prezio. Jr. He adored his four grandchildren, Graham S. Jenkins (Kerrie), James A. Jenkins (Paige) and Dr. Sarah W. Jenkins (Dr. Collin P. Crutsinger) and Leah A. Prezio. He returned home to Troy to spend his retirement years with his brother, Anthony Prezio (Janet); sisters, Philomena Prezio and Mary Prezio Bonczar (Tom); and late brother, Frank Prezio (Betsey); and multiple nephews, nieces and cousins.
Viewing hours are October 25, 2024, at 10:30-11:45 a.m. with Funeral Mass at 12:00 Noon at Our Lady of Victory Parish, 55 N. Lake Ave., Troy, N.Y. Rev. Randall Patterson and Rev. Thomas Morrette, Pastor, will be celebrants. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the LaSalle Institute Music Department, 174 Williams Road, Troy, N.Y. 12180 or to the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library, Mitchell Memorial Library, PO Box 5408, Mississippi State, MS 39762. Condolence book and memorial page at parkerbrosmemorial.com