Obituary of Dr. Joseph A. Chazan

Joseph A. Chazan, MD, 89, son of the late Sidney and Yetta Chazan, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2024, in Providence, surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Helene and is survived by his devoted partner Vicki Veh, his three adored children Michael and his wife Leslie of Providence, Kathy and her husband Tony of Newton, Massachusetts, and Kimberly and her husband John of Providence, as well as his nine grandchildren and spouses: Jason and Leslie, Bradley and Amanda, Alex and Kathryn, Tyler, Sydney and Nate, Abby and Ben, Drew, Blake and Clayton, and three great-grandchildren: Grace, James and Leo.

Born in Rochester, New York, Joe spent his youth in Buffalo, where he graduated from Bennett High School. He also attended the University of Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Medical School. While in medical school, he met his beautiful, late wife Helene on a blind date. They married in 1958. They were a devoted and loving couple for 47 years, and their life together was filled with much joy and sunshine.

Dr. Chazan completed his fellowship training at Boston City Hospital – Tufts. He completed nephrology fellowships at New England Medical Center and Beth Israel Hospital. Dr. Chazan also served as a physician with the Birmingham, Alabama Department of Public Health.

After his training, Dr. Chazan joined the Brown University School of Medicine, where he developed and launched the renal dialysis program at Rhode Island Hospital. He served for many years as a clinical professor of medicine at Brown University and as director of renal disease at The Miriam Hospital, Memorial Hospital, and Rhode Island Hospital. In 1973, Dr. Chazan established Rhode Island’s first freestanding dialysis clinic: the Rhode Island Artificial Kidney Center. He subsequently opened eight more clinics in Rhode Island and two in Massachusetts. Dr. Chazan founded and served as the longtime president of Nephrology Associates Inc. He strived for excellence every day and he and his associates provided compassionate, patient-centered care.

Dr. Chazan has served as a governor of the American College of Physicians, RI Section. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work as a nephrologist, including the University at Buffalo Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2013, the American Kidney Fund honored Dr. Chazan with its National Caregiver of the Year Award.

Joe was proud of his Jewish heritage. He was a member and supporter of Temple Beth-El for over 60 years, serving as president and board member. He loved celebrating the holidays with his family and sharing his traditions.

In 1973, Joe and his late wife Helene began collecting contemporary art and over the years donated much of their celebrated collection to over 40 museums. Joe had a particular passion for supporting young artists; he was a true patron of the arts, with boundless enthusiasm and generosity for the local arts community. He especially cherished the wonderful and lasting friendships he made with many artists. Since 2005, Joe has focused on showcasing the work of Rhode Island’s contemporary artists through initiatives such as public art placements and the production of the NetWorks multimedia visual arts project documenting the work of over 100 accomplished Rhode Island artists.

Joe has made significant contributions to RISD as a former trustee and board member. The RISD Museum featured a selection of objects donated by the Chazans in its 2005 exhibition “Chazans’ Choice.” He has supported initiatives at AS220, Southside Community Land Trust, The Wheeler School, WaterFire, The Newport Art Museum, The Steel Yard, Community Music Works, Farm Fresh, the Rhode Island Philharmonic, and Rhode Island College through the Chazan Family Gallery.

Committed to creating educational opportunities for others, Dr. and Mrs. Chazan established a scholarship in their name at the Rhode Island Foundation in 1978 to benefit the Wheeler School. In 1984, they endowed the Friends of Glass Scholarship at RISD. In 1985, they established a scholarship fund for medical students at the University at Buffalo.

In 2013, Joe received the Pell Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Arts, and in 2015, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Rhode Island College. In 2019, he received the RISD President’s Medal of Honor.

Affectionately known as Baba to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Joe’s greatest joy was being with his family. For Joe and his late wife Helene, family always came first. He was the much loved and cherished patriarch of the Chazan family, always present, always engaged and interested, generously sharing his wisdom, love and support. He spoke daily with his children and grandchildren and was often surrounded by his beloved family watching Buffalo Bills games, celebrating birthdays and enjoying sunny days together in Saunderstown. Joe always led by example, encouraging his family to strive for excellence, to give generously and fully to others, and to love, respect, forgive and always support one another. His warmth and kind heart will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 29, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Avenue, Providence. Burial will be private. Shiva will be observed at his residence on Monday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Tuesday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and on Wednesday at the residence of Kathy and Tony Starr from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Temple Beth-El of Providence, 70 Orchard Avenue, Providence, RI 02906, the Visual Arts Fund of the Rhode Island Foundation, One Union Station, Providence, RI 02903 and WaterFire Providence, 475 Valley Street.

Providence, Rhode Island 02908.

Arrangements are entrusted to Sugarman-Sinai Memorial Chapel, Providence. For condolences, please visit www.sugarmansinai.com