Joseph F. Palmisano
Ocean Pines

On Jan. 24, 2025, Joseph F. Palmisano, M.D., 97, of Baltimore and Ocean Pines, passed away peacefully.

Joseph Palmisano, son of Frank C. and Mary J. Palmisano, was born the seventh of nine children in Shamokin, Pennsylvania on March 14, 1927. At age 13, the family moved to Baltimore, where Joseph graduated from Baltimore City College in 1944.

He enlisted in the US Navy at 17 and served on a destroyer as a radar operator in the waning days of WWII.

After discharge, he graduated from the University of Maryland at College Park and the School of Medicine in 1953. After residency at Mercy Hospital, Dr. Palmisano began a family practice on Loch Raven Boulevard that he continued for more than 40 years. Dr. Palmisano was proud to say he never turned down a patient, and he made numerous house calls, with up to 17 in one day. He belonged to the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland and was recognized for his instrumental role in helping Baltimore’s Good Samaritan Hospital grow into a fine institution.

Dr. Palmisano’s motto was, “work hard, play hard.” He was a diehard Colt and then Ravens fan, boater, golfer, fisherman, and especially skier.

He belonged to the Baltimore Yacht Club, and as an avid historian, participated in the Baltimore Civil War Round Table. He skied more than 40 times in Europe and earned 12 gold medals for ski racing before he hung up his ski poles at 79.

Dr. Palmisano retired to Ocean Pines in 2001, where he became an active member of the community. In his later years, he could be found riding his scooter on the Boardwalk as he met new people and shared his popular autobiography, “Doctor Joe, A Family Doctor in the Twentieth Century.” He also wrote numerous bi-weekly columns about word history for The Dispatch.

Dr. Palmisano was predeceased by his first wife and childhood sweetheart, Jeanne T. Kell. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Kathleen Palmisano (nee Enright), by his two sons Joseph (Jody) F. Palmisano Jr. (Marcia), Michael J. Palmisano (Christine), and step children Laura M. MacNamara (Brian), and Ross E. Burchill, as well as 10 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He is survived by his sister, Joanne Strassner McClayton, and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be on March 6, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. Ursula Church at 8801 Harford Road in Parkville, Maryland, and internment in Gardens of Faith Cemetery in Rosedale, Maryland.  A Celebration of Life will be held in Ocean City, Maryland at a future date.  Donations can be made to the US Olympic Committee.