Obituary of Mr. Joseph Divito

April 24, 2021

Dr. Joseph DiVito, Jr. died on April 24, 2021 at home in New York City from complications of pancreatic cancer at the age of 60. Making it to 60 was an important accomplishment for Joe and anyone who spoke to him for his birthday knew how pleased he was to make it to 60 on February 1, 2021. Joe is survived by Richard Froehlich, his husband and partner of 27 years as well as a large family. Joe cherished his family and is also survived by his brother Thomas DiVito, in addition to a slew of in-laws (Alan and Jodi Cohn, Joann Cohn, Shari and Martin Cohn-Simmen, Vivien and Tom Barcia, Charles and Gail Froehlich, Steven and Linda Froehlich, Barry and Deborah Cohn, Jennifer and Colin Marsh), nieces (Jennifer Cohen, Lindsay Cohen, Betty Cohn, Hannah Cohn-Simmen and Jocelyn Cohn), nephews (in practice) and partners, as applicable (Michael Barcia, Eric and Athena Froehlich, Sam Cohn and Joey Martin, Andrew and Christina Froehlich, Anthony Ciranello and Tim O'Loughlin, David and Vanessa Barcia, Adam and Ariel Cohn, Jesse and Rah Goldberg, Michael Cohen and Isaac Froehlich), grand-nieces (Makenna Barcia, Anna-Cate Froehlich, Chelsea Grace Froehlich) and grand-nephew (Harrison Barcia) as well as many cousins (including a few that he thought of Aunts and Uncles: (Audrey and Charlie Falk, Bernice and Bob Szita). Some are listed here but he loved them all and they were very precious to him.
Joe was a practicing clinical radiologist and was a proud graduate of the State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University. He got his BA from Pace University. A scholarship fund in honor of Joe has been created by Rich at Downstate and contributions to the fund in lieu of flowers or other tributes are appreciated. The link to the fund is as follows: https://www.downstate.edu/giving/scholarships/memorial-donations.html.
Joe joined the faculty at Albert Einstein College of Medicine Radiology department in 1993 and was promoted over time to the position of Professor of Radiology & Obstetrics and Gynecology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center. Joe was the winner of the Leo Davidoff Society of The Albert Einstein College of Medicine Award in May 2006 for outstanding achievement in teaching medical students and received the Harold G. Jacobson Award for the Outstanding Teacher in the Montefiore Department of Radiology in May 2011.
Teaching was a passion for Joe, as shown by the following words he wrote in support for his promotion to full Professor: "I learned that first students must be given a strong background of basic facts and concepts. As they develop their own fund of knowledge, we must teach them problem solving skills and encourage their critical thinking, which are both essential to a physician." Joe added: "My hidden, yet overriding goal is to share my excitement and unqualified awe of the human body with my students and, with any luck, inspire similar enthusiasm and insight. I hope to create an impact so that some will want to teach as well."
Physical and health challenges were a constant part of Joe's life after he suffered a stroke from toxoplasmosis brain lesions in 1998 that left him partially paralyzed and with limited use of his left side. Joe was diagnosed with AIDS at that point but benefited from the amazing science that had created treatments for HIV/AIDS by 1998. He was committed to protecting Rich and they maintained serodiscordance by using safe sex methods. The early medications were physically harsh and Joe worked hard to both recover from the stroke and to fight AIDS. After a period of disability, he was able to return to working on a part time status. But it is hard to minimize how hard he struggled in daily life and he had some falls and broken bones as a result of these challenges.

Joe focused on both his clinical radiology practice, teaching and research work on a variety of cancer tumor and treatment studies. His radiology specialty included abdominal and gynecologic oncology and he participated as the senior member of the radiology department in biweekly gynecologic oncology and hepatobiliary oncology tumor boards until March of this year. His understanding of cancer made his diagnosis in July 2019 of metastatic pancreatic cancer more devastating. He clearly understood that the odds of survival were poor. Unfortunately, Joe's earlier HIV diagnosis made him ineligible for various pancreatic cancer drug trials. Nevertheless, Joe had hoped that he would have durable success with the few available treatments until better treatment would come along.
Joe's and Rich's love for each other was profound and complete. Joe responded to a Village Voice personal ad placed by Rich and they met on May 4, 1994 at a quaint restaurant in Greenwich Village named Home. They had instant chemistry and moved in together within weeks of that first date. Joe fully supported Rich's work and extra activities and attended every Stonewall Chorale concert. Joe would drive Rich to Columbia for his morning class in the fall and meet up on Morningside Heights for dinner after Rich's evening class in the winter. Joe handled much of their homelife while Rich planned their extensive travels and visits with family and friends. They maintained an incredibly strong bond and Rich was able to honor Joe's request that he die at home at the end of his battle with cancer. They managed the isolation of Covid with as much as grace and patience as possible.
Joe and Rich often traveled to see family friends and historical sites. British Royal history was a particular joy and then later Joe also enjoyed going to American presidential libraries and related sites, including a few marathon travels throughout America to go to sites for each President up to Barack Obama. The same person who reveled in visiting Buckingham Palace and Chinon Castle also loved attending the Minnesota State Fair on an annual basis to meet up with the Golden Girls and to eat both Pronto Pups as well as Walleye fish filet. Joe was visibly moved with funeral of Prince Phillip held a week before his own death.
It was important to Joe that he not be forgotten. Through the students, residents and fellows he taught, the academic research that he authored and the loving memories of his smile, presence and kindness to his family, friends and colleagues he will be remembered and honored.
A funeral will be held on Thursday at 3 at Greenwich Village Funeral Home. Unfortunately there are limited access due to Covid but there will be a zoom broadcast of the funeral. Interested people should reach out to Rich.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts please consider supporting Joe's scholarship fund mentioned above that will also honor his memory or perhaps support any charity that provides meals to the needy as Joe was a large supporter of such charitable efforts.

Funeral Services