Joseph Roland Barberio M.D.

Our beloved Roland passed peacefully at home on June 10, 2023, at the age of 98. A cherished father, grandfather, great grandfather, husband and friend, Roland will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who were fortunate enough to have known him. He was the youngest of twelve Barberio children. His father, Giuseppe, first immigrated to the United States in 1895, returning with his wife Ippolita in 1904. They settled into life in Ellwood City, PA where Roland was born and raised through high school graduation in 1942.

Near the end of WWII Roland joined the Navy Reserve. While in the service, he attended the University of Chicago, graduating first with a B.S. in Biology in 1945 followed by his Doctor of Medicine in 1947. He interned at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, IL in 1947-48. He later reenlisted as the Korean War was heating up and was assigned to the Naval Medical Research Institute in Bethesda, MD. Roland resumed his medical education and training as a fellow in surgery at George Washington University, in Washington, DC in 1951-52 followed by a one-year residency in surgery at the Veterans Administration in Martinsburg, WV. He then returned to George Washington University to complete his surgical residency by the end of June 1954.

Roland then returned to the Pittsburgh area to begin his career, but after a brief period, made plans to head out to the west coast. He obtained his California medical license in late 1956 and after a one-year position at the VA Hospital in Fresno, Roland arrived in Oceanside, CA in 1958 – population of just twenty thousand, but with the knowledge that the new Tri-City Hospital was in the works. He was a pioneer in the medical community in North County San Diego – the first general surgeon in the Tri-City area. Roland was active in the medical community and the community at large. In the early 1970s, Roland founded the development of Tri-City Medical Park, a 7-acre medical center and office condominium development adjacent to Tri-City Hospital that he continuously managed through last year.

Roland married Dorothy Dwulit on November 4, 1950, in Bethesda, MD. Loving and caring parents, they raised their six children through their formative years, with many interesting stories to tell. Annual summer trailer trips were a mainstay of these family years with visits to most of the national parks west of the Mississippi. Roland, Dorothy, and family certainly cherished these memorable journeys with sightseeing, trout fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and white-water rafting among the highlights of these multi-week adventures.

Education was a priority for Roland, putting all his children through college and on their way to building their own lives, careers, and families. He also supported his grandchildren’s college education. Roland and Dorothy were married for over 40 years before separating and divorcing in 1991.

After exercising and honing his grandfatherly skills on his growing family, Roland was fortunate to find love again with Patty Kawano. Married on Valentine’s Day 1995, they traveled the country and world, socialized, danced and enjoyed life with a wide circle of friends and family. Roland embraced Patty’s family as his own. They celebrated life together for 27 years until Patty’s passing in 2021.

Roland accomplished much in his life as a doctor, real estate developer, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and a friend to many. He was always supportive and provided guidance and unconditional love to his family. He was never boastful or outspoken – other than sharing he views and keen insights on politics or the economy – but was an unassuming yet inspirational role model, hardworking, generous and loving. His professional colleagues acknowledged his medical expertise, integrity, wisdom and conciliatory attitude. He faced life with honor and courage while living the values of family, friendship and community. He was an active investor throughout his life. He thoroughly enjoyed the horse races, blackjack and sport of all kinds, especially football. Roland’s dual passions for golf and gin rummy were legendary. He had a wonderful sense of humor to the very end delivering his final quip to the priest during Last Rites. He lived a truly extraordinary life, a life well played. (Sadly, he never could say the same about his beloved Chargers who kept him “waiting ‘till next year” for seven decades for that elusive championship.)

He gave back to the community in many ways, supporting organizations including Mission San Luis Rey, the Boys and Girls Club of Oceanside, Tri-City Hospital, the San Diego Humane Society – Oceanside, and veteran causes such as Wounded Warriors and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. As a member of the greatest generation Roland displayed a strong love of family and country and was resilient indeed, outliving two wives. And towards the end of his long life as he contemplated his mortality, he drew nearer to God.

Roland is survived by his six children and their spouses: R.J. (Judith), Karen Barberio-Kitts (Daniel), Craig (former spouse Sandra), Dean (Laura), Debbie King (former spouse Mark), Gary (Sandy); his grandchildren and their spouses and partners: Ashley (Ren), Chelsea, Brandon, Marissa, James, Alison (Michael), Lauren (Jake), Anna (Matt) and Anna’s mother, Caroline, and great grandsons: Flynn, Tate, Vance, and a soon-to-be-born great granddaughter. Roland’s extended family includes Judith’s daughters, Renee and Holly, and her grandchildren Richard, Jacob, and Gabriel; Sandy’s sons Mason and Russell (Megan) and granddaughter Charlie; Jim Portman (Carrie) and Jim’s children Josh and Justin Portman and their mother Stacey and Max and Kyle Schram, and John Portman and his former wife Gina.

Roland’s love, companionship and wit will be missed by all his family and friends.

Remembrance services will be held on October 5, 2023 at the Mission San Luis Rey. Further details to follow.