Former City Resident, Doctor for 40-Plus Years at UHC and the VA, Teacher Joseph C. Kassis, Passes
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on May 26, 2023
Dr. Joseph C. Kassis, long time physician, formerly of Bridgeport, WV, passed away on May 23rd, 2023, in Morgantown, WV with his loving family by his side.
Born June 21st, 1943, in Damascus, Syria, Joseph graduated from the University of Damascus, completed his Urology Residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, IL, completed his fellowship in Urology at Orange Memorial Hospital in Orlando, FL, and completed a
specialization in Urology/Oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY.
specialization in Urology/Oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY.
Joseph moved to Clarksburg, WV in 1977 to practice Urology at the Louis A. Johnson Veteran’s Hospital before establishing his private practice, Urologists Inc. at Allen Medical in Clarksburg, WV. After retiring from private practice at United Hospital Center his love of medicine, passion for taking care of his patients, and dedication to the community brought him out of retirement and shortly thereafter back to the VA until his second retirement in 2018. After serving Harrison and the surrounding counties for 40 plus years.
Joseph was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church in Stonewood, WV.
Dr. Kassis was a member of the American Medical Association and Harrison County Medical Association, and was an Assistant Clinical Professor at West Virginia University Hospital and the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, WV. He served as Chief of Surgery at United Hospital Center, and the President of Medical Staff at UHC. He also received various recognition awards from both Harrison County and the American Medical Association.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents Christopher and Alice Kassis of Damascus, Syria.
He is survived by his wife Karen and his four children, daughter Nissan and husband Patrick Purcell of Lexington, KY, daughter Tania and husband Timothy Cobb of Martinsburg, WV, son Christopher Kassis and wife Kate of Cincinnati, OH, and daughter Gabrielle of Morgantown, WV; four grandchildren Amira, Grace, Lilah, and Lilly; one sister Josephine Haddad of Damascus, Syria, one niece Rawaa and husband Adel of Damascus, Syria; one great-niece Mira, one great-nephew Fayez of Damascus, Syria; along with several other family members residing in Syria and Lebanon.
Friends may join the family to honor Joseph's life and legacy at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 3334 University Ave., Star City, WV on Tuesday, May 30th from 11:00 AM until the celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 PM with Reverend Father John McDonough as celebrant. Following the Funeral Mass, Joseph will be interred at East Oak Grove Cemetery in Morgantown.
Smith Funeral & Cremation Care of Westover / Morgantown is providing care and guidance to the family.
The family asks that in Dr. Kassis’s memory that you either please plant a tree, or make a contribution to the Parkinson’s Foundation by visiting www.parkinson.org
To order flowers, or send messages of comfort and other symbolic gestures to the family, please visit www.smithfcc.com.
