Jose Figueroa, MD died peacefully at age 93 in his home, surrounded by his loving family, on December 28, 2020 at 8:00pm. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean Ann Mozier Figueroa and his children: Dr. Bruce Edmond Razza, Dr. Linda Ann Razza, Dr. Jose “Joey” John Figueroa and Dr. Glenn Robert Figueroa, as well as his many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Dr. Jose initially obtained his medical degree from San Marcos Medical School in Lima, Peru in 1950. After completing a Residency in Internal Medicine, he became a Professor of Medicine there. He decided to move to the United States and eventually came to New Orleans, where he met his future wife, Jean. As with many native New Orleanians, she wished to remain in the city. Accordingly, he pursued the Naturalization process and became a US citizen in 1966. At that time, Louisiana was among the very few states in the country that did not honor foreign medical graduate degrees. Driven by his great love for her and coupled with his tenacious spirit, he decided to obtain another MD degree here in the USA. The process was long and arduous and paradoxically accomplished in reverse order. He was accepted into the Ochsner Foundation Medical Center Residency Program, where he completed 4 years in General Surgery. He then successfully passed an examination for the Basic Sciences of Medical Training, which enabled him to bypass the first 2 years of Medical School. It was then necessary that he complete the third and fourth years of Medical School, referred to as the Clinical Years. This he accomplished at Tulane Medical School. Thus, with incredible persistence and amazing humility, he was able to meet all the requirements, even in reverse order, to establish his Medical Practice here in the Greater New Orleans Area. He located his office at one of the busiest intersections in New Orleans, which was well known as the “Claiborne and Carrollton Clinic”. He was greatly respected by his medical colleagues and deeply appreciated by his large following of patients. His care for patients spanned for over a half century, treating rich and poor alike. Many he treated “pro bono”, with no charge due to their inability to pay.
Dr. Jose was a devoted husband and father who taught his children the necessity of hard work and good ethics, not only by words but by example as well. His creative approach in Medicine overflowed to the everyday challenges of life, in which he would engage any task with innovation and ingenuity. His thought process was always to approach any obstacle as an opportunity to overcome a challenge. His philosophy was that it was better to try and fail than not to try at all. He adhered to the belief that “if you can’t say anything nice about someone, then say nothing at all”. He had many sayings such as :
“In the land of the blind, the one with only one eye is the King”, and
“The lazy one works twice”. His words were consistently supported by his actions and manifested in his deeds.
Dr. Jose loved reading biographies of famous inventors as well as listening to classical music. He started to study French at the age of 80 to keep his mind sharp.
He loved his wife, children and large extended family, as well as his family in Peru, maintaining contact with them via periodic calls, letters and their visits. He was dedicated to helping them and all others in the path of his life. Most importantly, Dr. Jose came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord in a personal and enduring way along his spiritual journey. He will be deeply missed by all, yet with the faith and hope of sharing that love forever in The Final Heavenly Kingdom.
The funeral Mass and celebration of Dr. Jose Figueroa’s life will be held at Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home, 3827 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70119.
Private visitation by the family will begin at 8:30am with open visitation at 9:00am. There will be recitation of the Rosary at 10:15am followed by the Mass at 11:00am. Interment will be private. Condolences may be expressed at www.schoenfh.com
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