Joseph J. Guarneri PHD

Dr. Joseph J. Guarneri, 86, formerly of 14 Evans Circle, Keene, NH died September 14, 2012, in the company of his family, after a period of declining health. He was born in New York, NY on January 2, 1926, the son of Giovanna (Liggio) Guarneri and Vincent Guarneri.

He spent his formative years in New York City where he enjoyed urban life with a close extended family and many dear friends. He married his wife of 51 years, Violet Gennaro Guarneri on April 16, 1950. Together they shared life’s ups and downs with strength, laughter and loyalty. Mrs. Guarneri died in June of 2001.

Dr. Guarneri was a life long learner and had a distinguished career as an academic and clinical microbiologist. He earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology from St. John’s University in 1966. In 1979, the American Board of Microbiology certified him as a Diplomate and he was licensed as a Clinical Laboratory Director. Dr. Guarneri earned numerous accolades and awards from the research and clinical scientific communities during his career. Some of these included membership in Sigma XI from St. John’s University, being named a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology as well as a Fellow of NY Academy of Sciences; he served as President of the NYC branch of the American Society of Microbiology and was elected a member of the Harvey Society, Rockefeller University. He maintained lifelong membership in many other professional societies.

Dr. Guarneri had many academic appointments over thirty years, including Professor of Laboratory Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Clinical of Professor of Pathology at the State University of NY, Stony Brook, NY. Perhaps the accomplishment for which he was most proud was serving as a thesis sponsor and advisor for 10 doctoral candidates. During his career, Dr. Guarneri authored 30 peer reviewed articles and more than 50 abstracts on a variety of topics in the area of pathology and microbiology.

His thirty years of hospital appointments concluded with the titles of Chief, Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Long Island Jewish Medical Center/ Queens Hospital Affiliate, Associate Director of Clinical Pathology, Department of Pathology, Long Island Jewish Medical Center/ Queens Hospital Affiliate, and Associate Director, Department of Pathology, Mt. Sinai Services/ Queens Hospital Affiliate.

Dr. Guarneri retired in 1998 and moved to Keene with his wife, Violet, to live near their daughter, Joan G. Murphy and her family. After retirement, Dr. Guarneri became an active member of St. Margaret Mary’s Church and the Keene YMCA.

While his professional life took center stage, Dr. Guarneri made time for his family. He was a caring husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather. He was dedicated to his sister and truly loved engaging his many nieces and nephews. His love of a good meal and a faithful dog is well known. Dr. Guarneri raised pigeons from time to time and enjoyed bird watching.

Those who knew “Dr. Joe” will remember his tenacity, wit, and loving heart.

Survivors include his daughter, Joan Guarneri Murphy, son-in –law, Erik Murphy, grandson, Peter Murphy, granddaughter, Laura Murphy Enright and her husband Kyle Enright of Bedford, NH, sister Domenica Liggio of NY, NY and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to call at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH on Friday, September 21st from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Margaret Mary’s Church, 33 Arch St., Keene, NH on Saturday morning, September 22, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. Committal services will follow at the Monadnock View Cemetery, Park Avenue, Keene. Contributions in his memory can be sent to:

Keene Family YMCA

200 Summit Rd

Keene, NH 03431

(603) 352-6002

or

Good Shepherd Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

20 Plantation Drive

Jaffrey, NH 03452-1935

(603) 532-8762