J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Homes

Feminella, Jr. M.D., John G.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

John George Feminella, Junior, M.D., F.A.C.S., died Monday, September 1, 2008. He was born on January 15, 1941 in Brooklyn, NY, son of the late Dr. John G., Sr. and Evelyn P. Feminella. He attended Colgate University from 1958-1962, and he graduated with honors, earning degrees in both Mathematics and Physics. While at Colgate, Dr. Feminella won the Osborne Math Prize for the highest average in Mathematics, and he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Dr. Feminella received his graduate Medical degree from New York Medical College in 1966, and he did his residency training at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center from 1968-1972. During his training at Columbia, Dr. Feminella published several notable papers, and he and his colleagues were among the first to suggest the role of communicable diseases in genital carcinogenesis. Dr. Feminella also published research on the cancer associated antigen test to detect urological cancers.

After Residency Training, Dr. Feminella moved to Petersburg, Virginia, where he practiced as a Board Certified Urologist for 35 years. He founded and was President of Petersburg Urological Associates, Ltd. Since 1973 until shortly before retirement in 2006. He was on the active medical staff of Southside Regional Medical Center, consulting staff of John Randolph Hospital, and a clinical Instructor of Urology at the Medical College of Virginia. He was an active member of the Richmond Academy of Medicine, the Medical Society of Virginia, the American Medical Association, the American Urological Association, the American Association of Clinical Urologists, the American Lithotripsy Society, and he was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Feminella also received several honors from grateful patients, who established scholarships in his name at both his medical school and residency hospitals. Aside from other accolades, Dr. Feminella received one of his most significant and unsolicited achievements by being named a Top Physician in the Guide to America’s Top Physicians in 2004-2005, published by the Consumers Research Council of America.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jayne, and his devoted and loving daughters, Dr. Jayne Noel Feminella and Joy Elizabeth Feminella; his sister, Evelyn Unger; and nieces, Jennifer and her husband Steve Croston, Eve and her husband, Kevin Lignelli; and brother, Stanley and his wife, JoAnn; and nephews, John and Forbes Feminella.

Dr. Feminella was a member of Varina Episcopal Church, where he has served on the Vestry, as an usher, and as an accounting officer.

The funeral service will be held at Varina Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia at 2:00 PM on Friday, September 5, 2008. Interment will follow at 4:00 PM in Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, September 4, at the Petersburg Chapel of J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Varina Episcopal Church and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Varina Episcopal Church is located at 2385 Mill Road, Richmond, VA 23231. St. Paul’s is located at 110 North Union Street, Petersburg, VA 23803. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.

We just found out that the Doctor passed away. We wanted to let you know how much we loved and respected him and how much we already missed him after he stopped his practice in Petersburg. My husband has never been to a more special, and compentant doctor, and FRIEND! Please know we will be praying for your comfort, peace and understanding for the loss of your husband, daddy and grandfather. We loved him and still do. God bless you and your family and know we are greatly greving for you and the loss of Dr. Femilla, Jr.

Love in Christ Jesus,

Jim & Chris Mosconi

Posted by: James & Christine Mosconi at September 14, 2008 11:58 PM

I am very saddened to hear of John's passing. As you know, John and his brother Stanley and his parents were among my very favorite friends. I have only the fondest memories of the many times we played golf together - the stories, the laughs, the cokes and my martinis! Hitting his driver to the shortest of par 3s while I'm hitting 7. He makes birdie and I sometimes make par! A great competitor with the touch of a surgeon around the greens - who'd of figured? This time my prayers weren't answered, but we shall meet again. My deepest sympathies to Jayne, his daughters and all his loving family

Posted by: Dean Trautmann at September 7, 2008 08:32 PM

Dr. Feminella always came in early to check on his patients. We would see him, with a smile and a cheery greeting, in the halls or in ICU. We knew we could go to him with any medical question and he would take time to help us understand. He was a kind and compassionate Dr. whom we greatly respected. We miss his presence and uplifting spirit. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Posted by: 11-7 SHIIFT X-RAY STAFF, SRMC HOSPITAL at September 6, 2008 02:35 PM

" Notre vrai tombeau n'est pas dans la terre, mais dans le coeur des hommes. "

"Our true grave is not within the earth, but in the hearts of men."
From afar without ever having met, John helped me with a problem...an ordinary act for him. And so, from afar, I send my deepest and sincerest condolences and love to my sister, JoAnn, my brother-in-law, Stan and the boys, with a special thought for John's family. Love always, Suzy and the children.

Posted by: Suzy Mazaudier at September 6, 2008 09:43 AM

I am sorry to hear of your loss. He was a good man and a great doctor. I had been his patient since I was 6 yrs old in the 70's. Throughout the years if I had a problem, my husband or my children I could call him and he would always make time to call me personally or tell me when to come in.
He had such a loving and caring spirit.
God must really love us all so much to bless us with someone as rare and gifted as he was.
Please know that I share with you in your loss and my prayers are with your family. May you all find peace in knowing what an awesome legacy he left behind!

Posted by: Jenny Bain Barnes at September 6, 2008 12:02 AM

Mrs. Feminella & Girls
We am so sorry to hear of your loss. May God be with you holding each of your hands at this time in your life and always. Dr. Feminella was a special man, he touched many lives through healing and friendship. We feel blessed to have known him. May you have comfort in knowing that he is not suffering anymore. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. God Bless!

Posted by: Margaret Rowland, Dr. Jay S. Goldberg's office, Amber Allen, Clay Home Medicall at September 5, 2008 07:05 AM

I am sorry to hear about you loss. Dr. Feminella was a good man and a good doctor as well. He saved my life and for that I am thankful. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Posted by: Russell Crockett at September 5, 2008 01:05 AM

Please accept my most sincere condolences on the loss of Dr Feminella.He was one of the most wonderful persons I have ever had the pleasure to work with.He was always kind and he was an excellent physician.I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Posted by: Consuela Marshall, RN at September 4, 2008 07:42 PM

Jayne...your husband was truly a sincere doctor who practiced what he loved dearly. He treated my husband for so many years with continuous kidney stones that it became a joke to us both.
I was so saddened when he retired and even more shocked to learn of his passing. My mother also sends her sympathy to you and your family. Mom(Lorine Jones) is a friend of your mom.
May you find comfort in knowing how special he was to so many patients and the committment he made to the medical profession as well as the community.He was always available to his patients.
Prayerfully,
Brenda Bass Jolly

Posted by: Brenda Jolly (widow of Robert E. Jolly) at September 4, 2008 06:43 PM

I am truly saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Feminella. I have known him since he began practice in Petersburg. He was not only my friend and coworker but, as I told him, my Guardian Angel. My prayers are with each of you at this time. I know how important you all were to him and made his life complete. May God protect and bless each of you in the coming days and weeks.

Posted by: Ann Sublette, RN at September 4, 2008 03:51 PM

My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this sad time. You were his reason for living. I knew John Feminella since he began practice in Petersburg, not only as a patient but also as a co-worker at the hospital. He was always there for me and helped me through some tough situations. I will miss him and pray that he is in a better place. May God bless each of you during this difficult time.

Posted by: Ann Sublette at September 4, 2008 03:41 PM

To Dr. Feminella's family,
I remember Dr. Feminella from when I worked at Petersburg General about 27 years ago. When he would come up on the floor he was always very sweet toward us nurses and a very understanding doctor. Dr. Feminella also treated me as one of his patients during a time was was having alot of kidney infections. He also treated my father. He was always smiling. I don't remember him ever losing his cool. He was very understanding and was one that would educate us nurses on any of the treatments he wanted on his patients.
May God Bless Your Family and I know the Lord has a new servant in Heaven today. He will always be with you in spirit.

God Bless each one.
Anne Harrell

Posted by: Anne H. Harrell at September 4, 2008 01:27 PM

We are heartbroken to hear of your loss. John was a warm, kind and sincere person with a happy smile for everyone. He was always full of joy and words of encouragement. He was especially encouraging to our son, David, to follow his dreams and be the best he can be. May you know that each one of you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Posted by: Gloria Keeton and fammily at September 4, 2008 12:05 PM

Dear Jayne and family,
I was very saddened to learn of Dr. Feminella's passing. I knew him through one of his patient's, L.L. Meredith, my father. I feel as though Daddy would not have made it through surgery after the removal of a bladder tumor without Dr. Feminella's devotion to patient and friend. He was always available for Daddy and the rest of us when we had questions. He will always be special to the Meredith family and it is our hope that you find comfort in knowing he was loved by so many.
With love and deepest sympathy,
Nancy Gray Meredith Kelderhouse

Posted by: Nancy Meredith Kelderhouse at September 3, 2008 09:33 PM

we are so saddened to hear of your loss. Please know that you are in our prayers. The world is clearly a better place for having had his presence.

Posted by: marty and pat buxton at September 3, 2008 09:14 PM

From California, our hearts go out to John's lovely wife, Jane, and her two precious daughters. Surely you three were the light of John's life and we give thanks for the sincere and lasting love you four have shared. In
I Corinthians 12:4-7, the Bible illustrates the sort of man your husband and father, Dr. John Feminella, exemplified through his daily deeds. For this reason, we are including it in our tribute to him: "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." How proud was John's brother, Stan, of his big brother as he related stories of the loving kindness John poured out on all whom he encountered. In John's ceaseless love for his fellow man, we see a picture of the Christlike service the Apostle Paul was writing about. How blessed was this world by this picture, this personhood, of a man whom God called to medicine, where he would be endowed with the ability to heal so many. We are told that John eagerly embraced this, his "life assignment." May you, Jane, and all his family and friends, feel God's care and protection surround you as you work through this difficult time and may such an exemplary model of a man, a father, a healer, and a friend to all remain a source of inspiration for how we all ought to spend our days. Blessings and love from all the family here in L.A. -Noel and Diane and family
(family of John's sister in law)

Posted by: Mr. and Mrs. Noel Ryan, Jr. at September 3, 2008 05:21 PM

I am sorry to hear of your loss.I worked at SRMC until I retired and also my husband was a patient of his until his death. Dr Feminella was always kind to everyone. I will always remember him pumping my gas a few months back at Parham's Texaco Station. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
In Christisan Love,
Joyce

Posted by: Joyce M. Clary at September 2, 2008 09:31 PM

I was saddened to hear of John's passing. During my 16 years in the ER in Petersburg John was always a good friend and staunch supporter. I was blessed to know and work with him. His family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Posted by: Paul Laughlin, MD at September 2, 2008 08:42 PM

I am sorry to hear of your loss. I remember Dr. Feminella during my rotations while in nursing school. He was always very kind and I enjoyed observing procedures and learning from him. May you take comfort in knowing that the same Jesus that holds your loved one at this time, is also holding each of you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Posted by: Cheryl Wilmoth Whittle, RN at September 2, 2008 04:49 PM