John Joseph D'Attilio

March 11, 1938 – November 23, 2018

John Joseph D'Attilio, M.D., aged 80, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family.

A 50-year resident of Carmel, John was born, reared and educated in New Jersey and completed medical school at the Stritch School of Medicine Loyola University, Chicago, in 1963. John moved to California to serve in the U.S. Army at Fort Ord from 1966 to 1968, where he fell in love with Carmel. He convinced his new bride to move to the west coast to begin their life together on the Monterey Peninsula, opening a practice and spending his 40-year career as an ophthalmologist and skilled surgeon serving the Monterey Peninsula and surrounding areas. John’s commitment to both his patients and the practice of medicine earned him a loyal following that lasted his lifetime. Years after his retirement, former patients would stop him on the streets of Monterey during his daily run, where he would greet each by name.

As a young medical school graduate, John stated, “I can attribute my success in attaining my goal as a doctor of medicine and all future endeavors to my adherence to the ideals and fortitude instilled in me by my mother’s teachings, firm faith, and convictions.” Indeed, his steadfast faith guided him throughout his life. John found community and hope at the Carmelite Monastery in Carmel for more than 40 years, where he faithfully committed to his worship and the ideals he lived by. When he wasn’t perfecting his profession, he found solace in sharing his love for tinkering and the outdoors with his five children and eight grandchildren. An avid fly fisherman, alpine skier, and hiker, John discovered a place where he could connect his love of the outdoors and faith in the magic of nature and time with family in Sun Valley, Idaho. He spent summers and winters there, teaching his children and grandchildren the importance of conviction, family, and the beauty of sharing the experiences that come from time for reflection surrounded by nature. He would often refer to his two homes as paradise, and the time he spent in God’s country as a blessing. His passion for craftsmanship led him to his other hobbies, collecting Lionel model trains and car restoration. In 1996 he lovingly completed an original restoration of his father’s 1949 Oldsmobile, inspiring a similar passion in his children and grandchildren.

Predeceased by parents John and Josephine, daughter Beverly and son Matthew, John is survived by Connie D’Attilio, his wife of 51 years, three children: Jonathan, Robert (Deborah) and Jennifer (Anthony), eight grandchildren: Lindsay, Whitney, Jordan, Kyle, Jaden, Joshua, Travyn and Delilah Rose, and by his sister Theresa. He will be greatly missed, and remembered as a dedicated physician, loving husband, committed father, and passionate grandfather.

The family is grateful to the VNA, Hospice and long-time family friend, Simone Hamade for their compassionate care. A mass in John’s honor will be held Saturday, December 15th at 8:00 am at the Carmelite Monastery in Carmel, followed by a celebration of John’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VNA & Hospice Foundation or to the Parkinson’s Foundation.