José Sulla Maisog

Dr. José “Joe” (or “Pepe”) Maisog was born on August 28, 1938 in Bohol, Philippines and died on December 26, 2021 in Fort Myers, Florida. He was 83 years old.

Dr. Maisog is preceded in death by his father, Felicisimo Maisog, Sr.; mother, Anacleta Sulla Maisog; and older brother, The Honorable Felicisimo Maisog, Jr. (Guadalupe). He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dr. Victoria (“Vicky”) Tayengco-Maisog; sons José (“Joe”) and Manuel (“Bing”); daughter Regina Brzozowsky (Keith); cherished granddaughter Sophie; younger sister Carolina Mendez (José); beloved cousin Dominga “Ming” Putian Bell (Burton ); numerous in-laws, other cousins, and nieces and nephews.

Joe attended the University of the Philippines Medical School where he formed lifelong friendships with the “brods” he met in his fraternity, Mu Sigma Phi. He also met his match and best friend, Vicky, with whom he immigrated to Baltimore, MD after graduating in 1963. The members of the Class of 1963 continue to be close friends and extended family to all the Maisogs.

Joe’s medical skills were unparalleled. He was double-boarded in Internal Medicine and in Anesthesiology. He was never stumped when watching “Medical Mysteries” on television, often solving the mystery within the first few minutes of the show. On several occasions he took his skills back to the Philippines serving on medical missions to underserved provincial areas.

After practicing for 35+ years, Joe and Vicky retired to Florida to reap the rewards of their hard work by finding more hard work on their tropical fruit farm, Finca Brava. His simple pleasures included ice cream of any flavor, nuts of all sorts, and a challenging game of chess. He was a natural athlete who would leave his habitual golfer friends scratching their heads when he, not having touched a club in ten years, would win their golf outings in sneakers and with borrowed clubs. He brought home trophies for table tennis and chess. He loved his dogs and having them with him as he mowed the grass between the mango and lychee trees.

Joe enjoyed travel and especially traveling with family. Notable trips included England, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, China , Thailand , the Baltics, many trips home to the Philippines and to destinations throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. He took particular joy in seeing the Sistine Chapel and sat for an extended period wondering at the work he read about as a teenager, never imagining he would see it in person. He was also quite happy to simply “make pasyal ” on Sunday afternoons, driving different routes home from church just to see what was there to be seen.

A funeral service for Dr. Maisog will take place at St. John XXIII Catholic Church, 13060 Palomino Lane, Fort Myers, FL 33912 on Friday, February 4, 2022 at 10:30 AM with a reception to follow at the Church Parish Life Center. Dr. Maisog’s remains will be laid to rest in the Memorial Garden of the Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John XXIII Catholic Church – Maisog Memorial Fund.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leememorialparkfuneralhome.com for the Maisog family.