Dr. Joel Ginsberg

Dr. Joel Fine Ginsberg passed away from the complications of Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease on August 1, 2009. He was diagnosed with the illness in August of 2003. This disease forced him into an unexpected retirement from his Pulmonary Medicine practice at Diagnostic Center where he had practiced for 23 years.

Dr. Ginsberg was the son of the late Jane K. Ginsberg and Joseph H. Ginsberg of Dalton, Georgia. He attended the University of Georgia where he was the chancellor of Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity. He graduated from the Medical College of Georgia, and did his Internal Medicine residency at the Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Ginsberg’s Pulmonary Fellowship was completed at Duke University.

Dr. Ginsberg is survived by his wife of 37 years, Phyllis N. Ginsberg and by his daughters, Paige (Evan) Pearson and Cara (Michael) Lubin and their children: Jaron Nash and Lexi Madeline Pearson and Asher Fine and Kitty Ann Lubin. Also surviving are his brother, Jay (Jean) Ginsberg and his sister, Janet Perfetti along with his in-laws, Martin and Ruth Nash and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Nancy and Dick Katz. Dr. Ginsberg is also survived by both a niece (Jana Shear) and two nephews (Brian Katz and Benjamin Ginsberg) as well as by great nieces and nephews Ethan, Hadyn, and Jared Shear and Taylor and Alex Katz.

Dr. Ginsberg was a Diplomat in the American College of Physicians and a Fellow in the American College of Chest Physicians. He was also a member of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society. Dr. Ginsberg was a member of Mizpah Congregation.

Graveside services were at Mizpah Congregation Cemetery on Third Street on August 2, 2009, with Rabbi Bill Tepper officiating.

A meal of Consolation and Shiva Service, for family and friends, followed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to The Alzheimer’s Association, 7625 Hamilton Park Drive – Suite 8, Chattanooga, TN 37421 or to Mizpah Congregation, 923 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37403.

A special thanks of gratitude is bestowed upon Mr. Eddie Reel for his years of continuous service as Dr. Ginsberg’s golf partner, and to the loving staff at both the Senior Life Unit at Parkridge Hospital and Consulate Healthcare for their support of Dr. Ginsberg in his last stage of Alzheimer’s.

Pallbearers were Larry Fine, Jay Ginsberg, Dick Katz, Michael Lubin, Ted Marcus, Dr. Frank Miller, Martin Nash, Evan Pearson, Dr. Phil Pollock, Eddie Reel, and Bill Wilder. Honorary Pallbearer was Dr. Vince Viscomi.

Condolences may be made www.javerybryan.com

Arrangements are by J. Avery Bryan Funeral Home, 747 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga.