JOSEPH ROMEO

ROMEO JOSEPH A. ROMEO, M.D. FACC Dr. Joseph "Joe" Romeo, 84, a highly respected cardiologist who practiced in the Washington, DC metro area for over 50 years, died peacefully on March 16, 2021 after an intrepid five-month fight with glioblastoma. Joe was the epitome of a good man, with a kind heart and generous spirit, and enthusiasm for life and all its adventures. His warmth and humor will be missed by all whose lives he touched. Joe was born and raised in War, WV where he was a valedictorian of Big Creek High School. He followed his older brothers to the University of Notre Dame, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He received his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed a residency and cardiology fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital. He also served two years as an internist in the US Army at Ft. Riley, Kansas. During his years in private practice, Joe distinguished himself as a caring and scholarly physician, earning the loyalty of his patients and colleagues. He was twice elected by his peers as Chairman of the Cardiology Section of Suburban Hospital (1982-1987 and 1997-2000). He achieved the prestigious Fellowship level in the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Physicians, and the American Heart Association. Early in his medical career, Joe also served as a cardiology consultant to the US Department of State, a position he so enjoyed that upon leaving private practice in 2002, he became Chief of Cardiology in the Bureau of Medical Services at State. During his 50-year tenure, he was described as "legendary" in his outstanding medical support to the foreign service medical providers around the world. The State Department acknowledged his exemplary service on numerous occasions, including with the Superior Honor Award in 2014. Joe retired in 2015, but continued to work part time at State as a Senior Consultant in Cardiology until September 2020. Joe also loved teaching and was a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center for over 20 years. From 1975 to 2019, he was also a medical consultant to the Central Intelligence Agency. Dr. Romeo was very active in community service. He was a volunteer physician at the Mercy Health Clinic in Gaithersburg and at the Mobile Med-Suburban Hospital -NIH Cardiac Clinic for uninsured patients. He was an Associate Trustee on the Suburban Hospital Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Coronary Care Committee. He was President of the Montgomery County Heart Association, Vice President of the Maryland Heart Association and served on the Board of both organizations. Joe was a leader in the AHA's Advanced Cardiac Life Support Program (ACLS), having been the first person in Maryland to qualify as an Instructor in ACLS in 1976. He introduced the program to the State Department Medical Division, and it remains a required biannual certification for their physicians and nurse practitioners. Joe lived in Potomac, MD since 1968. He loved biking on the C&O Canal, was an avid student of World War ll history, and enjoyed dinners with friends, travel, opera, and spectator sports, especially football and anything involving Notre Dame. He was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Church, and the Cosmos Club. His greatest love of all was his family. He was a devoted husband and father who derived great joy spending time with his wife and daughters, including Stone Harbor/ Avalon beach vacations and theatre weekends in New York City. In addition to his loving wife Joan and daughters Jennifer (McLean, VA) and Lauren (NYC), Joe is survived by numerous beloved nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carmela and Dominic Romeo and siblings, Dr. Matthew Romeo, Antoinette Gunshinan, Frank Romeo and Katherine Fletcher. Due to COVID, funeral services will be private with a memorial service to follow at a later date. Donations in Joe's memory may be made to the Dr. Joseph A. Romeo Scholarship Fund at the University of Notre Dame, Department of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Gifts may also be made online at giving.nd.edu. www.COLLINSFUNERALHOME.com