Dr. David Pichett

BOARDMAN - Dr. David E. Pichette was peacefully called home, Friday, June 9, 2017, after a year-long bout with cancer. He passed away at St. Elizabeth Health Center, where he spent most of his life tending to others so they may live.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia "Ginny," whom he married in 1969; four sons, John of Cleveland, Michael of Columbus, Patrick of Boardman and Timothy of Nashville; and his brothers, Richard of Killeen, Texas and James of Anaheim, Calif.

David was born Nov. 11, 1945, in Syracuse, N.Y., the son of Dr. C. Edward and Elanor Pichette. The family later settled in Youngstown.

He attended St. Charles and Cardinal Mooney High School, he started his college education at the University of Notre Dame, moving to The Ohio State University to begin his medical studies, garnering his Bachelor's of Science Degree. He received his M.D. from Saint Louis University in 1971.

Moving along in his medical career, he completed his internship and general surgery residency at St. Louis University Hospitals. He completed his medical residency at The Ohio State University Hospital. He was certified by the American Board of Surgery a few years later. He was an Assistant Professor of Urology at Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine.

He served as St. Elizabeth's Chief of Urology at various periods from 1986 through 2004, and gave hundreds of lectures on advances in urologic advances throughout his career. He was certified by the National Board of Medical Advisors and the American Board of Surgery.

Beyond his life in medicine, David was an avid car enthusiast and spent some of his time visiting various road racing tracks and travelling with Ginny. He enjoyed dabbling in car engine enhancements and was a meticulous mechanic.

Always the animal lover, his love of the Shar-Pei and Boxer breeds was a constant in his life. Raising his pups to adults while saying so long as they aged and hello as the new ones arrived.

His love of Notre Dame football manifested itself on Saturday afternoons as he watched a line of coaches take his beloved alma mater to various championships.

David will be missed by the love of his life, Ginny, who has always been his childhood sweetheart and his friends who spent a lot of time solving the "issues of the day" at their weekly meetings throughout the area.

The tributes from the many patients, have all pointed to the meticulousness of his methods and the time he took with each patient, often setting his schedule back to the point where his family set up "Dad time," meaning 30 minutes later than when he said he'd be home.

Family and friends may call Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel.

Prayers will begin Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Church.

David will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery.

The family asks that material tributes be made to the Angels of the Easter Seals, 299 Edwards St., Youngstown, OH 44502.

Visit www.higgins-reardon.com to send condolences to the family.