89.
Beloved husband of Verna Rankin and the late Vicki Nicole Rankin. Devoted father of
Jonathan Rankin and Danielle Markovsky and her husband Ronald. Loving stepfather of Susan
Sidney and David Lacey and his wife Nancy. Cherished grandfather of Cameron and Tyler
Markovsky and Victoria Cottam-Rankin. Adored step-grandfather of Maria Lacey, Nicola Sidney,
and Jason Sidney and his wife Harriet. Step-great-grandfather of Freya Daisy Sidney.
Joel was born in Brockton, MA to Daniel and Sophie (Lederer) Rankin on September 13, 1931.
He graduated as valedictorian from Brockton High School in 1949, and in 1953, he graduated
Phi Beta Kappa from Yale University. He then went on to pursue his medical degree from
Boston University, where he was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honor society.
After receiving his MD, he enlisted in the US Air Force as a medic, where he attained the rank of
Captain. Returning to Massachusetts in the late 1960s, Dr. Rankin provided care to the
community at Boston City Hospital before accepting the role of Chief of Obstetrics and
Gynecology at Metrowest Medical Center, formerly Framingham Union Hospital, in 1975, where
he specialized in infertility. In addition to providing exceptional care for his patients, over the
years, he instructed medical students from Harvard, UMass, Boston University and Tufts.
Throughout his 60 years in practice, he received many honors and accolades for the exemplary
care he provided to his patients. In 1985, several of his patients threw him a surprise party
featuring dozens of their children, dubbed, “Rankin Kids,” who celebrated him for his role in
bringing them each into the world. In 2012, Dr. Rankin was honored by his physician peers of
the Middlesex West District Medical Society as Community Clinician of the Year, an award
established by the Massachusetts Medical Society, and in 2019, the Joel S. Rankin Outpatient
Maternal Care Unit was dedicated to him honoring his near-half-century of service at
Metro-West Medical Center. Dr. Rankin put his heart and soul into his work as well as leading an
active life away from the hospital. A lifelong learner with an unyielding curiosity, he continued to
take classes throughout his life. He loved all living things, gardening, travel, and culture - music,
arts, and theater. Making time for golf and bridge, he was a longtime member of the Wellesley
Country Club. Above all, he valued time with his family and friends.
Funeral Services were held on Monday, June 7, 2021 at 10 AM at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel,
475 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021. Interment was private.
Shiva will be observed at the home of Verna B. Rankin on Tuesday 6/8 and Wednesday 6/9 from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to the American Lung
Association at www.action.lung.org, Combined Jewish Philanthropies at www.cjp.org, Buddy
Dog Humane Society at www.buddydoghs.com, or a charity of your choice.
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