Thomas Campanella

Another Baton Rouge pioneer has passed on. Dr. Thomas Campanella, 91, passed away Saturday, Oct. 6, with his family at his side. He was a humble man with humble beginnings. Born Feb. 24, 1916, in Scalea, Italy, Thomas, at age 12, immigrated to the United States with his family arriving on Columbus Day, 1928, settling in Baton Rouge. Thomas attended Beauregard Elementary School, University High School, LSU, LSU Medical School (graduating in 1943) and Tulane Medical School for orthopedics. Serving in the U.S. Army during World War II as a captain in the Medical Corps, he returned to Baton Rouge to found the Bone and Joint Clinic in 1948, Baton Rouge's first orthopedic clinic. He was a founder of the Louisiana Orthopedic Society and the East Baton Rouge Parish Medical Society. He served with the Tulane Caldwell orthopedic faculty, Crippled Children's Clinic, Louisiana Board of Chiropracty, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Southern Medical Association and was the LSU team physician in 1958. Medicine was his passion. Around town, Thomas was a member of the Lakeshore Lions, Military Order of the World Wars, Cadets of the Old War Skule, Krewe of Tucumcari, Krewe of Achilles, Cosmopolitan Dance Club, Tiger Athletic Foundation, LSU Alumni Association, Prime Timers, theBignet Group and the First United Methodist Church - Tharsean's class. Thomas, a "Greatest Generation Member," was preceded in death by his father, Anthony Campanella, mother, Angelina Campanella, and wife, Ruth Campanella. He is survived by his children, Lydia Joyce, Dr. Thomas Campanella and Dr. Brent Campanella; three sisters, Nina Cashio, Ada Dimattia, Alda Guercio; brother, Edison Campanella; and five grandchildren, Angela Joyce, Jeanne-Marie Joyce, Lillie Joyce, Lauren Campanella and Gregory Thomas Campanella. The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and the special friends and caregivers who compassionately participated with his health care. May God bless you all. Visitation/wake at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., was on Monday, Oct. 8, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Visitation at First United Methodist Church on Tuesday from 3 p.m. until service at 4 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Chris Andrews. Interment in Roselawn Cemetery.