Obituary of Joseph P. Dunn

Dr. Joseph P. Dunn, 88, of Titusville, passed away Sunday evening June 15, 2014 at the Titusville Area Hospital. Joe was born on March 12, 1926 in Pittsburgh, PA, a son of the late William and Eleanor Regan Dunn. He was first married to Ninalee King on January 22, 1955. She preceded him in death on May 12, 1978. He later married Gale Weaver on March 14, 1980 in Titusville. He was a graduate of Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, class of 1944; a graduate of St. Vincent College in Latrobe, class of 1948; and a graduate of Georgetown Medical School, class of 1961 earning his medical degree. He interned at the former St. Joseph Hospital in Pittsburgh. On July 7, 1962 he was appointed to the Titusville Area Hospital Medical Staff. Over the years he served on many staff committees. He was instrumental in the development of the hospital’s ICU which opened in 1969. Joe developed the first protocols in the Emergency Department for the care of patients presenting with chest pain or other symptoms of heart attack. He was the driving force behind the hospital’s first Cardiac Rehabilitation program in 1976 and was still the Physician Supervisor of Cardiac Rehab. Dr. Dunn was a member of the PA Medical Society; a member of the Venango Medical Society; and was a charter member of the American Board of Family Practice. He was honored as a recipient of the Titusville Area Hospital Hall of Fame which was initiated in 2004. He was a member of St. Titus Church. Joe was a great husband, father, and grandfather and a beloved member of the Titusville community. Family and medicine were his passions. His wit and wisdom made him more than just a physician. All agree that those who knew him understood he was indeed a special person. There is a profound sadness with his passing, he will be deeply missed. Joe is survived by his wife of Titusville; a son, Joseph P. Dunn, Jr. and wife Susan of Washington, PA; a daughter, Jennifer Jones and husband Edward of Frostburg, MD; six grandchildren, Ninalee Dunn, Mary Eileen Dunn, Michael Dunn, Colleen Jones, Maura Jones and Patrick Jones; two step-sons, Attorney Jason Reagle and wife Amber of Titusville, and Dr.s Joshua and Samina Syed-Reagle of Madison, WI; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, William F. Dunn; a sister, Mary Martha Dunn O’Neill; and a nephew, Michael O’Neill. Friends may call at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home 303 N. Washington St. Titusville today (Tuesday) from 6 to 9 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 11:00 AM at St. Titus Church with Fr. Walter E. Packard, pastor of the catholic community of Titusville, Fr. Paul Taylor of St. Vincent College in Latrobe, and Deacon David Jones, as concelebrants. Interment will be in St. Catharines Cemetery. In leiu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Titusville Area Hospital or to the charity of one’s choice.