Joseph Benedict Perez, Md

Joseph Benedict Perez, MD, 94, Rockford, passed away Tuesday, December 2, 2014, at Presence St. Anne Center following a brief illness. He was born November 9, 1920, in Tampa, FL, the only son of Ortirio Perez Garcia and Angela Rodriguez Lopez. Following graduation from Jesuit High School in Tampa, he attended Loyola University in New Orleans, LA, graduating in 1942. He joined the war effort entering the U.S. Army as a bacteriologist and served four years earning the rank of Captain. It was while Joe was stationed in Denver, CO that he met his wife to be, Ellen McNally. They were married April 5, 1946. Ellie predeceased him November 1, 2012. Following their honorable discharges they moved back to New Orleans where Joe attended Tulane Medical School. Upon his graduation in 1952, they moved to Rockford where he served an internship at St. Anthony Hospital. He opened his general practice in a small office above the Tally Ho Restaurant. Following forty-four years of Family Practice Joe was appointed Assistant Administrator for Medical Staff Services at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center and served full and part-time from 1994 through 1998. In his long professional career Dr. Perez made many contributions to his local and professional communities. While at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center Joe served as President of the medical staff, chairman of the Credentials Committee, chairman of the Family Practice Department, chairman of the Outpatient Department, as a member of the Executive Committee, and a member of the Quality Assurance Committee. While Joe was at the Rockford School of Medicine, he was a Clinical Associate Professor of Family Medicine, a member of the Student Affairs Committee, and a member of the Executive Committee of Family Medicine. Joe also served as President of the Winnebago County Medical Society and was a member of their board of directors, he was a delegate to the Illinois State Medical Society House of Delegates, a member and past chair of the Blackhawk Area Medical Association, was a member of the board of directors of BAIPA and served as chair for sixteen years. Joe was also involved with the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS), as a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, served as chairman of the Drugs and Therapeutics Committee, and a CME Surveyor for Medical Education for ISMA. Joe was appointed by Governor Thompson to the Illinois State Medical Disciplinary Board and chaired the board for two years. Joe served as a member of the House of Delegates of the American Medical Association (AMA), chairman of the Illinois Delegation to the AMA, and served on the Reference Committees of the House of Delegates of the AMA. He also served on the board of directors of the Visiting Nurses Association, the advisory committee of the Home Health Services of OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, and the fundraising committee for Rock Valley College Starlight Theater. Joe received the President’s Award of the Winnebago County Medical Society, the Sports Medicine Award from BAMA for twenty years of service as team physician for Boylan High School. During his retirement Joe enjoyed fourteen winters in Arizona before returning to Rockford in 2010, to be near the hospital he loved and the doctors he trusted. He spent his final two years at Siena on Brendenwood surrounded by friends, colleagues and former patients. Dr. Perez is survived by his two daughters, Lynn (Jim Hewitt) Perez-Hewitt of Grand Junction, CO and Mary Jo (Ron) Peterson of Panama City Beach, FL. Gifts in his memory made be made to the OSF St. Anthony Medical Center Foundation, 5666 East State Street, Rockford, IL 61108, the Resident Lifestyle Memorial Fund at Siena, 4444 Brendenwood Rd, Rockford, IL 61107, or the charity of your choice.Special appreciation to the staff at Comfort Keepers for their excellent care and compassion and to the many close friends who were such an important part of his life, Dr. and Mrs. Don Feeney, Dr. and Mrs. Jack Tillis, Margie Zies, and Kathy and Bill Gehl. Sincere thanks to the staff and residents of Siena for providing a supportive and caring community for his final years.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford. There will be a private family Funeral Mass with burial in Marsh Cemetery on Wednesday. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com