George Jerome Schonholtz, M.D.'s Obituary
George Jerome Schonholtz, of Boca Raton, Florida, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2023 at the age of 93.He was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 9, 1930 to father Morris Schonholtz and mother Rose Schonholtz. As a very young man, he met and subsequently married his beloved wife of 72 years, Joan Hirsch Schonholtz. On August 21, 1951, when they were both working as camp counselors, Joan and George eloped. George graduated from SUNY Downstate Medical School in 1954. He joined the United States Army for his internship and residency in orthopedic surgery at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington D.C. His love of military service and orthopedics continued at the Army Base in Fort Benning, Georgia. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, George and Joan settled in Maryland, where he established a successful orthopedic surgery practice.George was one of the first three surgeons to bring arthroscopic surgery to the United States more than 50 years ago. He was a founding member and President of the Arthroscopy Association of North America. In that capacity, he and Joan travelled the world together.George was an avid yachtsman and collector of marine art. He and Joan recently donated a substantial portion of their art collection to The Annapolis Maritime Museum.
George could not only fix broken bones; he could fix anything.He spent countless hours repairing things that others would discard and replace.George is survived by his wife, Joan Schonholtz, son Steven Schonholtz and daughters Barbara Semsker and Margot Schonholtz. He was predeceased in death by his beloved daughter in law Harriet Schonholtz and sons in law Richard Semsker and Jerry Pietroforte.George’s greatest source of joy was his seven grandchildren: Jason Schonholtz (Lauren Harter); Robert Pietroforte (Melissa); Matthew Pietroforte (Margaret Lindsay); Meryl Senter (Ross); Julia Semsker (Justin Rosenblum); Andrew Schonholtz (Jolie); and Gregory Pietroforte. His legacy includes eight great grandchildren (and counting): Mia and Hart Schonholtz; Ryan and Lucas Senter; Jack and Lily Pietroforte; and Parker and Spencer Pietroforte. The funeral will take place on Monday, October 2, 2023 at noon at Beth David Memorial Gardens, 3201 N.72ndAvenue, Hollywood, Florida 33024.In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor George’s love of the military and its veterans can make a donation to The Wounded Warrior Project,woundedwarriorproject.org
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