Dr. Joseph Raymond DiBartolomeo

August 31st, 1937 - July 27th, 2024

Obituary for Dr. Joseph Di Bartolomeo“SOME PEOPLE SHINE SO BRIGHTLY IN LIFE THAT EVEN WHEN THEY PASS THEIR LIGHT STILL SHINES”.It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Joseph Di Bartolomeo, on July 27, 2024 at the age of 86 years.

Born in Queens, New York on Aug. 31, 1937, he was the son of Thomas and Antoinette Di Bartolomeo. His brothers Tom and Al predeceased him. Joseph grew up in Long Island, New York and went to school in Astoria where he was active in high school music and football. While growing up he developed a lifelong friendship with Joe and Tony Alizio that has defied the continent that separates them.

Joseph served in the military as a mess sergeant following which he earned his B.S. at Saint John’s University. He attended medical school at Georgetown followed by residency at Bellevue Hospital - chosen because it was the most challenging residency that one could have, complete with gunshot wounds and stabbings. He began practicing medicine by making night house calls in Queens, NY. In 1962 he married Erica Hilbig. They had their first son, Phillip, in 1964 followed by David in 1967, and Ray in 1977.

They moved to Santa Barbara in 1968 after reading that the Chief of Staff at Bellevue Hospital was himself retiring to Santa Barbara. Joseph initially worked at the Santa Barbara Medical Clinic where he developed a reputation for excellent care and personal concern for his patients. He served as Chief of Staff at St. Francis Hospital and, after it closed, went on to operate at Cottage Hospital. He also volunteered as a clinical professor at UCLA. He was well-known for his early work in laser surgery for the ear and skin.

In 1975 he built his office close to Cottage Hospital where he continued to practice until retirement. He would always go above and beyond for his patients and family and he had a heart of gold that was generous and fair. After divorcing in 1984 he re-married with Maxine Ellis in 1989 and they were together until he passed away. In 2007 Joseph lost his son David to pancreatitis and was deeply sorrowed. May David be waiting for him with open arms.

Joseph is survived by his wife Maxine, his first wife Erica, his four children Phillip (Kathy), Raymond (Dana), Kevin and Kerrie, and his grandchildren Brody, Owen, Lily, Adam, Ryann and Casey.

Joseph’s lifelong mission was to leave this world better than he found it. He did it; he developed a product that relieves the symptoms of a relatively rare but vexing ear disorder that is often misdiagnosed with dire consequences. He was therefore well-respected and loved around the world .

Visitation will be on August 6, 3:00-6:00 at McDermott-Crockett Mortuary, 2020 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara.

We Entrusted Dr. Joseph DiBartolomeo's Care To

McDermott-Crockett & Associates Mortuary

Established in 1906, McDermott-Crockett Mortuary is Santa Barbara's oldest operating funeral home. It is housed in a historic chapel built in 1875, just younger than the Old Mission Santa Barbara. With over 118 years of dedicated service to the community, our mortuary is committed to providing full-service premier funeral care. Our compassionate and Spanish-speaking staff ensures effective communication and support during challenging times. McDermott-Crockett Mortuary caters to diverse cultural needs, offering multicultural funerals and preparation areas for incense burning, ritual washing, and a Tahara room. For those of the Jewish faith, we can arrange for a shomer.

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Tributes

Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Dr. Joseph’s life with a heartfelt message.

Nancy Watson

I’m sending condolences to the Dibartolomeo family at this solemn time to Maxine, Philip & Kathy, Ray & Dana & grandchildren while remembering the amazing Dr Joe! My first beautiful meeting with Joe was on Butterfly Beach about 19 years ago where his son, Philip married my daughter, Kathy in an unforgettable ceremony & Dr Joe recited the Rudyard Kipling poem “IF” from memory - his favorite & now ours! So surprising & impressive. And that was the beginning of a thoughtful & sweet relationship with the well loved Dr Joe. And who could forget his advice to me to ‘eat more oranges’ - so I did & have reached age 93 - thx Joe!! You left the world a better place & will be in our hearts forever! Nancy Watson & Co!

Published August 6th, 2024

Ray DiBartolomeo

Dad. Words can’t express all the emotions inside. The crying & laughing & smiling & mourning that comes & goes is all contained within the memories of your legacy & greatness. You are loved, cherished, & appreciated by everyone. No matter what life is & how it ends, you gave yourself & your best to everything & everyone. There were times I was knocked down in life, with no one to turn to or help me. Yet, you were always there to pick me up without any questions - & right or wrong - you were always on my side. You taught me what it means to be family & the values & responsibilities that come with it. The lessons learned from your experience & the advice you gave to guide me is ingrained in my mind for life. You were the foundation. To the community, you were a savior. The number of people you helped & healed is staggering. The passion you had for medicine & as a Doctor was unprecedented. You changed people’s lives regularly with your knowledge, care, & willingness to make a difference, & because of that, it is forever here. The impossible dream of making a difference in all you did became possible. Even though it was an unspoken truth, you always lead by example & it never went unnoticed. You gave each & every day all you could & our family will continue to follow the path you set forth. We will carry your name, your determination, your courage, & your perseverance everywhere with us. There was never a better Father. With all my love.

Published August 5th, 2024

Phillip DiBartolomeo

And now, the end is near And so I face the final curtain My friend, I'll say it clear I'll state my case, of which I'm certain I've lived a life that's full I traveled each and every highway And more, much more than this I did it my way … Regrets, I've had a few But then again, too few to mention I did what I had to do And saw it through without exemption I planned each charted course Each careful step along the byway And more, much more than this I did it my way … Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew When I bit off more than I could chew But through it all, when there was doubt I ate it up and spit it out I faced it all, and I stood tall And did it my way … I've loved, I've laughed and cried I've had my fill, my share of losing And now, as tears subside I find it all so amusing To think I did all that And may I say, not in a shy way Oh, no, oh, no, not me I did it my way … For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught To say the things he truly feels And not the words of one who kneels The record shows I took the blows And did it my way … Yes, it was my way

Published August 5th, 2024

Kathy Dibartolomeo

Rest in peace.We all miss him.

Published August 4th, 2024

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