Joseph Anthony DiChiara, formerly of Williamsville, NY passed away on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 following a long illness, surrounded by family and the compassionate staff of Niagara Hospice. He was born on July 13, 1952 at St. Mary's Hospital in Niagara Falls, NY, the beloved son of Anthony and Elizabeth (Falsetti) DiChiara and grandson of the late Joseph and Sarah (Calato) DiChiara and late Gaetano and Rachela (Bosso) Falsetti.

Dr. DiChiara attended local Catholic schools. He graduated in 1970 from Bishop Duffy High School where he was quarterback for the football team. He attended the University of Miami and received his medical degree from the University of Guadalajara School of Medicine. Dr. DiChiara attended the University of Tennessee Reconstructive Surgical Program. He was a General Surgical Resident at Boston University Medical Center and a Hand Surgery Fellow and Research Assistant at the University of Miami's Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation. His research included "Tissue Expansion in Reconstructive Hand Surgery" at University of Miami, and he was honored for his work entitled "A Gift of Life: Repairing an Infant's Heart." Other positions included: Director of the Emergency Department at Lockport Memorial Hospital, and practice of medicine and surgery at Jamestown, NY affiliated with Women's Christian Association Hospital.

Dr. DiChiara was always athletic and loved the outdoors. He ran in both the Boston and New York marathons, was an avid skier, and raced sailboats from Lake Ontario to the Carribean. His hobbies were varied - he collected contemporary artwork, completed the NY Times crossword in record time, and spent countless hours patiently constructing 18th and 19th century model ships.

In addition to his loving parents, Joseph is survived by his daughter Candace Rose DiChiara of Lancaster, NY; brother Anthony (Cathy) of Jensen Beach, FL; sisters Elizabeth DiChiara-Murphy of Miami, FL; Patricia (Stephen) Carter of Ellicott City, MD; and Sarah (Anthony) Leone of Webster, NY; several nieces and nephews: Melissa and Caitlin Murphy; Andrew, Patrick and Rachel Carter; A.J., Michael, and godson Nicholas Leone; as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. Joe was predeceased by his brother, David.

There will be no prior visitation. Joseph's family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday April 13th from 10 – 11:00 A.M. at St. Raphael Church, 3840 Macklem Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY where a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Ivan Skenderovic officiating. Inurnment will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Development Fund, Niagara University, NY 14109 to support student medical research for ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) or other neurological disorders; or Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094. Arrangements by M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY RD. NIAGARA FALLS, NY.