G. Paul Derosa, M.D.

G. Paul DeRosa was born on October 25, 1939 and passed away peacefully on October 12, 2022 after a valiant battle against neuro-endocrine cancer. He was the eldest son of Louis DeRosa and Julia (Muzzillo). Paul was raised in the northeastern Indiana town of Angola. Following graduation from high school, he attended and graduated from the University of Notre Dame. After graduating from Notre Dame, he attended the Indiana University School of Medicine, graduating as the valedictorian. Upon completion of his orthopaedic residency, Paul relocated to London, England, for a pediatric orthopaedic fellowship at The Hospital for Sick Children. After the fellowship, he returned to the United States to serve in the Air Force, where he was discharged honorably after attaining the rank of Major. Paul then returned to Indiana University as an Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, followed by Associate Professor, Professor, and finally Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery from 1986 to 1995. He spent 25 years at Indiana University and in 1995 relocated to North Carolina to become the Executive Director of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) in Chapel Hill, as well as a Professor of Surgery at the Duke University School of Medicine. He retired from the faculty at Duke University in 2006 as a Professor Emeritus. Paul then retired as Executive Director of the ABOS in February 2008 and held Emeritus status with the Board.

During his active years in pediatric orthopaedics, Paul served as President of the Mid-America Orthopaedic Association, President of the American Orthopaedic Association, Chair of the ACGME/RRC for Orthopaedic Surgery, a member of the 20th Century Orthopaedic Association, as well as President of the National Residency Matching Program in 2007. In 1990 he was elected to the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery where he became involved with the certification and recertification of orthopaedic surgeons, creating over 3000 exam questions that are still in use today.

As a servant leader and representative of orthopaedic surgery for the United States of America, Paul served as the President of Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. He was a member of the international Pediatric Orthopaedic Think Tank, the European Pediatric Orthopaedic Society, and spoke extensively around the world.

Paul was a prolific educator and authored several hundred articles relating to pediatric orthopaedics, especially on the topics of club feet, scoliosis, and congenital birth defects requiring orthopaedic intervention. He has also written extensively on professionalism in orthopaedics and medical ethics, including authoring a book titled “Doing the Right Thing”.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his older sister, Josephine LaVine. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, MaryAnn DeRosa (Swaim), daughters Peggy Stair (Steve), Kathleen Lytle (Paul), Julia Wasoski (Scott), Karen Johnson (Jason), and JJ DeRosa (Molli). He is survived by his loving 15 grandchildren, Nicholas, Cameron, Haley, Landen, Lauren, Louie, Corinne, Nolan, Bennett, Henry, Gabby, Dylan, Justin, Kelli, and J.R. He is also survived by his younger brother, Anthony DeRosa (Marda).

His hobbies included golf, snow skiing, sailing, playing guitar and singing folk tunes. He enjoyed many summers up at Glen Lake, Michigan. However, his most unique passion was being a confectioner. He continued the DeRosa family tradition of making homemade chocolates – creating 400 pounds annually of cremes, carmels, toffee, and a variety of other delights. More than creating the confections himself was the joy he received in sharing the craft with his children, grandchildren, and those fortunate enough to be on the candy list.

A visitation open to all the dear friends and family of Paul will be held at Hall-Wynne Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 18th, 2022 from 6 to 8pm, located at 1113 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701. A Funeral Mass will be held a St. Matthews Catholic Church on Wednesday, October 19th, 2022 at 10:30am, located at 1001 Mason Rd, Durham, NC 27712. A Celebration of Paul’s life and luncheon will be held at Treyburn Country Club immediately following the Funeral Mass, located at 1 Old Trail Dr, Durham, NC 27712.

A secondary Funeral Mass and Burial Service will be held at St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 11am, located at 11411 S. Lacore Rd, Empire, MI 49630. Lunch will be served following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either Piedmont Orthopaedic Society, P.O. Box 2877, Durham, NC 27715 or Riley Children’s Foundation, P.O. Box 3356, Indianapolis, IN 46206.