Joseph Rosario Fama, M.D., 93, of Beaumont, died Thursday, July 5, 2012, at Beaumont Health Care Center. He was born on December 11, 1918, in Plaquemine, Louisiana, to Regger Rosso Fama and Rosario Fama. Dr. Fama was a longtime member of St. Pius X Catholic Church.

Joseph graduated from St. John High School in 1936, and attended Louisiana State University where he received his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1943. He was a United States Army veteran having completed his residency with the Veteran Administration in 1948. Dr. Fama began his private practice in Beaumont in 1948; a practice he continued until his retirement in 1992 at age seventy-two. He served as Chief of Staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital in 1969.

He loved bowling, gardening, and was an avid collector of both stamps and coins.

Survivors include his daughter, Donna Sue “Suzy” Rowland; sons, Joe E. Fama and his wife, Linda; Michael A. Fama and his wife, Vicki; and Charles Alana Fama and his wife, Cheri; grandchildren, Dawn and John Heimsath, David Rowland, Kimberly and Eric Silva, Stephen and Janina Rowland, Joey Fama, Emily Fama, Greg Fama, Jordan Fama, and Tucker Fama; and great-grandchildren, Alyson, Connor, and Mallory Heimsath, Katelyn, Eric and Caroline Silva, and Ryan, Kyle, Eric, and Hailey Rowland.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lena Fama; and son-in-law, John Rowland.

A Christian Vigil for Dr. Fama will be 6:00 p.m., Friday, July 6, 2012, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 7, 2012, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 5075 Bigner Road, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

The family would like to extend a thank you to the doctors and staff at Beaumont Adult Medicine, Quality Care Home Health Services, the doctors and staff at Christus St. Elizabeth, and the doctors and staff at Beaumont Health Care; with a special thank you to Daisy Jenkins, his friend and care provider for the past seven years.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Pius X Catholic Church, 5075 Bigner Road, Beaumont, Texas 77708.