OBITUARY
Dr. Angelo Nick Patsalis
April 27, 1956 – April 6, 2020
Angelo N. Patsalis M.D. 1956-2020
Dr. Angelo N. Patsalis died early Monday night on 4/6/20, of complications from the coronavirus. He was born in Detroit and graduated from Wayne State University, and the University of Ioannina Medical School in Greece. He completed his residency at Henry Ford Health System Family Practice. He lived in Livonia and worked in St. Clair Shores, Canton, and Detroit. Dr. Patsalis was an exceptional Family Practitioner, who dedicated his life to his patients and is remembered lovingly by all. He was on the Board of the Michigan Academy of Family Practitioners for many years and also served as its president. He was well respected by his colleagues and admired by the many medical students and residents that had the chance to be mentored by him. Dr. Patsalis was an affluent and avid member of the Greek-American community, a Brother of the Aegean Chapter 506 of AHEPA, and had served as vice president of the Parish Council of the Nativity of Virgin Mary, Greek Orthodox Church in Plymouth, Michigan. He also was a talented amateur photographer who loved traveling. He is survived his fiancé Denise Bargon, her daughter Alice, and her daughter Qiana; by his parents Evangeline and Nick Patsalis; his aunts, cousins and their families in Michigan, Arizona and Greece; his goddaughters; his many friends in his beloved Platsa, in Athens, Ioannina, Rhodes, Crete, and throughout Greece and the United States. He will be dearly missed by all.
Memories
Dr. Angelo Nick Patsalis
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYMary Jo Duffy
April 6, 2021
Dr. Patsalis was my family doctor in St. Clair Shores for many years. He was so kind and such a great listener. He never rushed me off. He truly is missed. He was one of a kind!
Denise Bargon
April 6, 2021
Doc....we're so happy and grateful that our lifepaths crossed. You'll forever be in our hearts.
Heaven has gained a angel.
Mary Jo Duffy
February 1, 2021
Dr. Patsalis was my Primary Care doctor for over a decade when he worked for Henry Ford in St. Clair Shores. He was the most kind hearted, patient doctor I have ever had, and as a three time Cancer survivor, I’ve had my share. My friend and I were casually discussing awesome doctors and I brought up his name as being my favorite and she told me she had heard of his passing. I couldn’t believe it so I had to Google it for myself, and here I am. I am so very saddened to hear this news especially now 10 months later. I’m devastated that he didn’t make it to retirement. He of all people deserved it. What a loss to the world this is. May he enjoy the abundance of Heaven. May his family be comforted in knowing how many people loved this man, as I did. Rest In Peace kind servant.
Amy Zitzelberger
July 19, 2020
When I prepared to adopt my daughter from Thailand, who was 5 years old at the time, I asked Dr. Patsalis if he knew what medical care she would need upon arrival home. He said, "I don't know right now, but I will know by the time she is here." I believe this story illustrates the type of doctor and person he was: humble, hard working, and with a heart of gold. He cared for me and my children for decades and I am truly saddened to hear of his passing. The loss of Dr. Patsalis is tragic. My condolences to his family and friends.
LaTanya Meadows
April 18, 2020
Dr. P
Thank you for the time you spent teaching and assisting us in the care of our patients it has been an honor to work alongside of you for these past couple years I am grateful for earning your trust in this short time. I will never forget you, you will be terribly missed until we meet again 🙏🏽.
Diane and Donald Wicker
April 17, 2020
Doc
You will truly be missed. We enjoyed sharing time with you, Denise (my best friend), Alice and Quiana at birthdays and our wedding celebrations. Doc, you put such a wonderful smile on Denise’s face when you asked her to marry you. We will take good care of her and know that she will be loved.
We will miss you Doc and will look forward to seeing you on the other side with our Heavenly Father.
Fly on our brother.
We love you.
Dinesh Telang
April 16, 2020
Dr Patsalis was a colleague practicing here on the Eastside of Detroit, always a pleasant guy, and a kind, caring, great doctor. One of the guys who always seemed to have a smile on his face. God Bless him and his family
Yianni Petrou
April 14, 2020
I served with Angelo on the parish council of our church it was an honor to know such a good and genuine person. He will be missed very much our family sends condolences to his family. May his memory be eternal
With sympathy
Yianni & Anna Petrou
Gwendalyn Holland
April 14, 2020
To the family and loved ones of Doctor Angelo Patsalis. May God comfort and blanket you all with his Holy Spirit. After reading some of the touching memories of others, it leads me to believe that he is a man that will be loved and remembered for always. May God bless Denise, Alice, and Quina for being a blessing in his life. God's intentions for his children was everlasting life. So for his children that unfortunately leave to soon, they will rise to a paradise earth where death and morning will be no more, the former things will pass away. Dr. Patsalis your story has now been written. I pray that God make each day easier and the memories be everlasting for his loved ones, his co-workers, patients, and friends. Rest Peacefully
Sheri Houghland
April 13, 2020
Dr. Patsalis will be greatly missed. I worked with him at Wayne County Jail, as a Nurse Practitioner. He was my supervising physician, manager and mentor. He was approachable and had a kind heart.
I’m deeply saddened by this news. Im lucky I was able to give him a hug goodbye and thank him for sharing his knowledge /experiences with me a month ago when I left the position. He will be missed by the many people he has touched.
Rev. Gwen Wilson
April 12, 2020
Denise & Family,
My thoughts and prayers to you and your family during this very difficult time. Dr. Angelo Patsalis was a very special person that's why the two of you were so great together. God allowed two wonderful people, to meet, fall in love and share their lives together for a season, which is one of God's most amazing gits to us. When two hearts and minds are in sync nothing can ever separate them, not even death. Earth has no pain that Heaven cannot heal.
God Bless You.
Rev. Gwen Wilson
Ebenezer AME Church
Karen Mitchell
April 12, 2020
I am so saddened to hear of the death of Angelo Patsalis. He and I worked together on countless Michigan Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) projects. He was so genuine and cared so deeply about family medicine. I have fond memories of the many moments he and I engaged in conversations with each other about how through MAFP we could together have a positive influence on healthcare in Michigan and beyond. He left a legacy of leadership, having touched numerous lives, especially in family medicine. I am so fortunate that he was part of my life.
Toula Guilfoyle
April 12, 2020
I'm mortified to hear from my beautiful cousin Irene of this very sad news. My cousin Angelo was a brilliant, COMPASSIONATE physician! I'm sorry to hear about his loss& that his parents are positive also.
We ALL SHOULD KNOW,ANGELO'S PAPOU IS WHO CAME 2 USA 1st& then got his family over here. His yiayia was the kindest loving woman who died before her time.
We are grieving Angelo's loss!
I'm glad I'm not working as a board certified family physician. My physician husband left Dartmouth Hitchcock last year to do teleradiology from home so he's safe. Our beautiful Daughter Dorothea I'd a board certified family physician trained at Henry Ford hospital but working at Sparrow in E.Lansing-very scary time.
For his parents, wishing you well during this time. Sorry for your loss,your only child Angelo. I always looked up to him growing up.
Drs. MARK& TOULA MILIOS GUILFOYLE
Rick Kellerman
April 11, 2020
Why do two people sometimes just “click”? Angelo Patsalis and I just “clicked.” We first met in 2002 through the AAFP. Angelo was a member of the international medical school graduate caucus and I was running for the board. He told me that he was born in the USA and had a full ride to medical school in Greece because of his heritage.
Angelo was proud of his heritage. He told me about his family villa in Platsa and invited me to visit someday. He warned me, “Rick, it isn’t fancy!” That didn’t matter. Just to dream about spending some time with Angelo and hear him tell his stories would be worth any physical inconvenience.
As I’ve read the memories about Angelo, I realize it wasn’t just Angelo and me who clicked. Angelo clicked with everyone. We were all enveloped by his personal warmth. Everyone was touched by his accepting personality and his good nature. He was soft-spoken, and we listened closely to his every word.
I thought about Angelo last week before I knew he was sick and had died. I saw a television report on how the Henry Ford Health System was dealing with coronavirus. Thousands of Detroit area residents were testing positive. Hundreds had been hospitalized. I thought I should e-mail Angelo to see how he was doing. I didn’t do it. There is a message in the story. If you are thinking about contacting someone you care about, do it now. Life is short and unpredictable.
Angelo loved Detroit and he loved baseball. He gave me a Detroit Tigers warm-up jersey. I will wear it this week in his memory.
Angelo Patsalis was a big man. He had a big heart. He had big thoughts. His death is a big loss.
I want to express my sympathy to Angelo’s parents Evangeline and Nick, his fiancé Denise, and his extended family. And I want to express my sympathy to his patients. They have lost a wonderful caring consummate family physician.
Jessie Kimbrough Marshall
April 10, 2020
Dr. Patsalis was my first supervisor as a new attending physician. He was kind and supportive. Dr. Patsalis was one of the best bosses that I’ve ever had. I’m deeply saddened to hear of his passing.
Denise Cook
April 10, 2020
I am so very sad to learn about Dr. Patsalis. I worked with him on professional development projects when I was at MAFP. He was the prime example of what it meant to be a family doc. His active support was effective and very much appreciated...and his olive oils were delicious! I am happy that I had the opportunity know him. My heart and prayers go out to Denise and his family during this tragic time. May God cradle him in peaceful arms.
James G. Kulwicki, P.E.
April 10, 2020
What a great man and family practitioner. I am genuinely shocked at his passing. He was simply the best doctor of my almost 70 years of adult life--thorough, gentle, professional to a fault, funny, patriotic, family oriented, always technically up to date; a phenomenal communicator, truly a golden Greek who loved his nationality and both his countries ! And he loved his patients .
I shall miss him big time !!
Jim Kulwicki
Adrienne Ontiveros
April 10, 2020
I am incredibly heartbroken at the news of Dr. Patsalis passing. It seems like just yesterday I passed by his office and said hello. Of all the providers, nurses, administrators that come and go in our medical department in such a short time, Dr. Patsalis was clearly dedicated to his work and absolutely enjoyed his job. He was always the trusted, dependable presence in our workplace, a knowledgeable authority respected by all. I know none of us anticipated the day we would go work and not have Dr. P. To say he will be truly missed by all is insufficient to express the magnitude of his presence, and now absence.
Jerry Givan
April 10, 2020
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" Matthew 5:8
Angelo was both a friend and relative. I will cherish memories of sitting around the dinner table trying to solve the problems of the world, tailgating at EMU football games, going to religious events and family celebrations; and just being in Angelo and Denise company. We will cherish your memories and thank God for allowing you to pass our way and blessing our lives.
Forever and a day
Jerry Givan
Robert Wergin
April 10, 2020
Went to a Detroit Tigers game with him and then his favorite Greek Restaurant. From Nebraska and it was a wonderful experience. Angelo was a wonderful friend!
Merenda Devine
April 9, 2020
Dr. Patsalis will be greatly missed in our Medical Department at the Wayne County Jail. He will always available to provide assistance and care in taking care of the patients in which he provided care. He will be greatly missed member on the Wellpath team; rest in peace my friend.
Madalyn Schaefgen
April 9, 2020
I knew Angelo through many years of AAFP meetings. He was always so kind and generous and positive about life. He had such wonderful stories of family and Greece. I will always remember him with a smile.
Mark Hamed
April 9, 2020
Dr Angelo Patsalis was a mentor of mine during my Family Medicine Residency at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. He was one of my senior staff preceptors at the now-closed, Henry Ford -Detroit East Medical Center on Conner Street.
When I was an intern in 2008 and met some frustration with having difficulty diagnosing a patient, I approached him with that difficulty. He took me to the side of the precepting clinic and emphasized the importance of sitting down and just listening to the patient, letting them tell you what's wrong with them. Most of the time they would provide you with enough information to diagnose and treat them by them just talking to you. Doing that helps you build their trust and respect. He was correct, and that has been the basis of my practice ever since.
He was a great teacher who taught residents how to critically analyze information.
He always reminded us of the importance of protecting and advancing the specialty of Family Medicine. He emphasized the versatility of our specialty, the uniqueness of our practices, and the need to be proactive in ensuring that the specialty of Family Medicine will weather any challenges it faces now and in the future.
He was a firm believer in health equity and of addressing health disparities. When I was an intern at the Detroit East clinic, I was a witness to the effects of tobacco abuse by minors and low-birth weight babies born to smokers at a substantially higher rate than the rest of Michigan. Family Physicians duty was to advocate for the betterment of our patients, including laws to help eliminate tobacco smoking from restaurants and public places.
One of my best memories of him was when he was President of the MAFP in 2008-2009, and his excitement with the successful efforts of the MAFP to help advance Michigan's Smoke-Free Air Law in 2009. He called me at the clinic and said "your patients' futures just got better, the Bill passed!"
Rest in Peace Dr Patsalis
Desma Rozovics
April 9, 2020
I'm so sad to hear of Dr. Angelo's passing. He was such a delightful man; we served together as steering committee members for the Family Medicine Philanthropic Consortium, of the AAFP Foundation. It was an honor to know him, and he will be dearly missed. So many prayers flying up to heaven to you, Dr. Angelo💕
Greg Griggs
April 9, 2020
I am so sorry to hear. Angelo was such a kind, endearing person. I feel so lucky to have gotten to know him through national AAFP meetings. I will dearly miss his life, his smile and his friendship.
Greg
Viviana Martinez-Bianchi
April 9, 2020
Viviana Martinez-Bianchi
April 9, 2020
I knew Angelo from "growing up" as Family Medicine leaders with the American Academy of Family Physicians, and specifically with the National Conference of Constituency Leaders and the Commission on Membership and Member Services. We were both International Medical Graduates, and Angelo did much to promote the understanding and belonging of IMGs to the AAFP. His untimely death saddens me deeply. Many colleagues across the country who loved his spirit, kindness, and leadership will miss Angelo. May all find peace in the memories of this amazing friend.
Ekram Smith
April 9, 2020
My heart goes out to his family. Angelo was a great colleague. He always found a way to make me smile. Enjoyed all the times we had spent through the MAFP.
Rob Reneker
April 9, 2020
Words cannot express the sorrow I feel at losing a long time friend and colleague like Angelo. You were one of the best and I will miss you dearly.
Kim Yu, MD
April 9, 2020
Dr. Patsalis was a dear friend and mentor to me. He was chief resident at Henry Ford Hospital, and was the one who drove me to my first ever MAFP meeting, encouraging me and others to get involved in advocacy. We have gone to countless meetings, and spent hours on committees and boards, working together for Family Medicine and the specialty we hold dear. He worked so hard taking care of patients at the county jail, having worked in prison medicine for many years. He was a past convener for National Conference for Constituency Leaders, past chair for the Commission on membership and member services, and served as as a delegate for several years to the AAFP Congress of Delegates. I will miss his wisdom and quiet strength, and his stories of his trips to Greece.
When asked about leadership, Angelo said this:
"Leadership is:
The ability to draw out the best in people, to have their views heard and have them work together for a common goal.
Leading by example.
Vision.
Knowing the big picture is as important as the finest detail.
Knowing every view counts.
Everyone has something to offer and everyone has something a leader can learn from.
Being flexible but determined.
Making thoughtful decisions.
Community involvement and awareness.
Knowing your success depends on people around you.
Being committed, having values and being a teacher.
About sacrifice.
Those who work hard and work with people who answer to them are leaders."
Thank you Angelo, for being an amazing Family Medicine Physician, leader, and friend. We will really miss you.
Montreesa Davis
April 9, 2020
Dr Patsalis was a very kind man that I had the pleasure of working with for a very long time, who will we get our orders from now. You will truly be missed at Wayne Co Jail Doc. Praying for the families strength
Luis Rojas
April 9, 2020
Dr Patsalis was an awesome individual. We will never forget him . We lost a great doctor, mentor and advocate to countless patients, students and residents. He helped folks across the world literally !I am sure he will be greatly missed.
Kathleen Holmes
April 9, 2020
I can not imagine what the family is feeling, please accept my heart felt condolences. I pray you find comfort and that your loving memories bring you a peace that surpasses all understanding.
Dr P was a great example for us all here at WCJ and his absence will be felt for a very long time. We have lost our guardian angel. Rest in Peace Dr. P, Thank You for a Job Well Done!
Veronica Valverde
April 8, 2020
I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Dr. Patsalis for three years. Dr. P was well loved and respected. He was such a sweet, kind, generous man. I’ll miss doing lunch runs for him. We had plans to try a Bosnian restaurant soon. He will truly be missed. May he rest in paradise.
Kleo & Panos Kolizeras
April 8, 2020
One of the most caring doctors we have known. We missed having him on the East Side of town when HF began shuffling clinics around. He would always have a story to tell after he asked about how life was going. Every time we went to the clinic for an appointment, the waiting room always had other Greek patients there. :) It is sad to know he left us, but it is wonderful to know how much he loved life, his culture, and what he did to help mankind through his profession. To his fiance and family, our most sincere condolences. May he rest eternally with the Lord.
Kimberly Pruitt
April 8, 2020
To the family of Dr Patsalis
You are in my prayers at this time
Rest in paradise Dr. P
From Nurse Pruitt
Wayne County Divsion 1