Antonio Belmonte Paat, M.D. of Toledo, Ohio passed away peacefully on October 13, 2022 at the age of 91, surrounded by family and friends. He was born on December 5, 1930 in Santa, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. He received his medical degree from the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila in 1955. He trained in General Surgery in Youngstown, OH and Jacksonville, FL and served as chief surgical resident at Colorado State Hospital in Pueblo, Colorado. He returned to the Philippines in 1963 and was in private practice at St Luke's Hospital, Quezon City. He then immigrated back with his family to the United States in 1966 and established a private practice in Family Medicine in Toledo and Maumee, Ohio. He delivered babies, made house calls, and treated generations of adoring patients throughout his medical career. In 1989, his son,Richard Paat, M.D., joined him in practice. He retired at the age of 79.
Antonio was deeply involved in the advancement of his profession, serving as Secretary-Treasurer and Vice Chief of Staff at St. Luke's Hospital in Maumee, where he was elected to Emeritus Staff. He was active in the Academy of Medicine of Toledo and Lucas County and served as a delegate to the Ohio State Medical Association. He was a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice. He was also the founder and President of the Association of International Physicians that recognized and supported physicians from around the world that practiced in Toledo.
Antonio will always be remembered for his commitment in fostering the Filipino community and helping those in need. He was President of the Filipino Association of Toledo, and co-founder and longtime Chair of the Special Commission On Relief and Education Foundation (SCORE) that supports international medical missions, disaster relief, and educational scholarships. He participated in numerous medical missions that served the poor in the Philippines.
A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Teodora Quinsay Paat. He was proud of his children: Drs. John Paat and Ann Reed (Chapel Hill, NC), Dr. Richard and Myra Paat (Perrysburg, OH), Tony and Rena Paat (Columbus, OH) , Judith and Dr. Philip Henkin (Tampa, FL) and James and Sharon Paat (Columbus, OH). He has 12 successful adult grandchildren Lauren Loehr, Joseph (Rosie)Paat, Anthony Paat, Justin Paat, Nicholas Paat, Marisa Paat, Alex Paat, Kara (Jesse) Graber, Kelly (Aaron) Beitzel, Madison Henkin, Lindsay Henkin, Jacqueline Paat; and 6 step-grandchildren Joey Rolston, Jonathon Rolston, Chris Stanley, Brian Stanley, Brittany Grosse, Justice Chafin and great grandson Abel Graber.
He was preceded in death by his parents Melquiades and Eufrosina, siblings Sister Jude of the Holy Spirit, Melquiades Jr, Buenaventura, Crescencio, and great grandson Peter Graber. He is survived by his 2 sisters Josephine Hardy of Minneapolis, MN and Remedious Maceda of Chicago, IL.
Antonio leaves a legacy of care for his community and love and sacrifice for his family. He will be remembered for his kindness, sense of humor, and thoughtfulness. The family would like to thank the numerous family and friends that have offered their prayers and support through his illness. Special thanks as well to Jake Bruene, Drs. Brad Sachs, Hammad Rashid, Raj Bhatia, Haridas Biswas, and Mohammad El Sayyad, and the staffs at McLaren St. Luke's Hospital, Waterford at Levis Commons, and Hospice NWO for their superb medical care.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 20, from 2:00 -8:00 p.m. with a Rosary Service at 7:00 at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd. The funeral will begin at Coyle on Friday, October 21 at 10:30 a.m. followed by the Mass at St. Joan of Arc at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery.
Donations in his memory can be made to Special Commission On Relief and Education (SCORE) P.O. Box 715, Maumee, OH 43537-0715. Please leave a condolence message for the family at CoyleFuneralHome.com.
Dr. Antonio B. Paat, a physician who cared for Toledo-area families - in his office or their home - as he helped form an international medical mission group and a Filipino community association, died Thursday in Waterford at Levis Commons, Perrysburg. He was 91.
He had multiple myeloma and was in declining health, his family said. He and his wife, Teodora, were at Waterford most recently, but their longtime home was in southwest Toledo.
Dr. Paat retired at age 79, about 20 years after his son Dr. Richard Paat joined him in medical practice. The doctors, father and son, spoke with The Blade a decade ago about caring for others, locally and abroad.
"We have fulfilled our American dream," the elder Dr. Paat said in 2012.
He received his medical degree in 1955 from the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila for further training and became chief surgical resident at Colorado State Hospital in Pueblo. Afterward, he returned to the Philippines, with a private practice at a hospital in Quezon City.
He, his wife, and the family returned to the United States in 1966 and settled in Toledo, home of his wife's cousin and her husband, Lolita and Dr. Angel Quinto, and later became U.S. citizens. He served on staff at St. Luke's Hospital, then on Robinwood Avenue, and opened an office practice at Collingwood Boulevard and Monroe Street. His office later was at Glendale Avenue and Byrne Road and then in Maumee.
"His patients were very dedicated and followed him," the younger Dr. Paat said. "He loved Toledo and didn't want to live anyplace else. He really thrived here. He was accepted and was part of the medical community at St. Luke's and the Academy of Medicine. It was a wonderful place to raise a family."
He delivered babies in early years, and he made house calls.
"It was always about the patient first," son James Paat said. "What made him a good doctor made him a wonderful dad."
The younger Dr. Paat said: "When I think of a physician, I think of my dad."
When his son came to work at the office, the elder Dr. Paat advised that he'd have to build his practice from scratch as well.
"Nothing was handed to me," the younger Dr. Paat said. "He helped me, obviously. He taught me how to do the business side of medicine, the things you don't learn in medical school or your residency. He said you need to make sure you look like a professional, always treat the patients with respect."
The elder Dr. Paat was a founder and chairman of the Special Commission On Relief and Education Foundation, a nonprofit group known as SCORE, which supports medical missions globally and provides disaster relief. The parents of a baby he delivered while on a medical mission to a rural area in the Philippines named the child after him.
The elder Dr. Paat also helped found the Filipino Association of Toledo in 1978, starting with 35 families, he told The Blade in 2012, when more than 300 families were participating.
"The Filipino community is still very close," he said in 2012. In that community he was called "Manong," a term for a respected elder, his sons said.
His son Tony said: "It was important to bring up family with cultural awareness," adding that the close bonds made community like family.
"Everyone is an uncle or auntie, whether you're related or not," he said. "We grew up with a ton of cousins, even though our actual cousins were in the Philippines.
"He was such a caring and genuine person. He would smile and joke and kid," son Tony said. "His aura was calming and friendly to people."
He was born Dec. 5, 1930, in Santa, Ilocos Sur, Philippines to Eufrosina and Melquiades Paat. When the Japanese invaded in World War II, he and his father hid in the mountains for a time.
Surviving are his wife, the former Teodora Quinsay, whom he married May 9, 1957; sons Dr. John Paat, Dr. Richard Paat, Tony Paat, and James Paat; daughter, Judith Henkin; sisters Josephine Hardy and Remedious Maceda; 12 grandchildren; six step-grandchildren, and a great-grandson.
Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Thursday at the Coyle Funeral Home, with a Rosary service at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Joan of Arc Church, where he was a member.
The family suggests tributes to Special Commission On Relief and Education - SCORE - PO Box 715, Maumee, Ohio, 43537-0715.
Published by The Blade on Oct. 16, 2022.
Antonio was deeply involved in the advancement of his profession, serving as Secretary-Treasurer and Vice Chief of Staff at St. Luke's Hospital in Maumee, where he was elected to Emeritus Staff. He was active in the Academy of Medicine of Toledo and Lucas County and served as a delegate to the Ohio State Medical Association. He was a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice. He was also the founder and President of the Association of International Physicians that recognized and supported physicians from around the world that practiced in Toledo.
Antonio will always be remembered for his commitment in fostering the Filipino community and helping those in need. He was President of the Filipino Association of Toledo, and co-founder and longtime Chair of the Special Commission On Relief and Education Foundation (SCORE) that supports international medical missions, disaster relief, and educational scholarships. He participated in numerous medical missions that served the poor in the Philippines.
A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Teodora Quinsay Paat. He was proud of his children: Drs. John Paat and Ann Reed (Chapel Hill, NC), Dr. Richard and Myra Paat (Perrysburg, OH), Tony and Rena Paat (Columbus, OH) , Judith and Dr. Philip Henkin (Tampa, FL) and James and Sharon Paat (Columbus, OH). He has 12 successful adult grandchildren Lauren Loehr, Joseph (Rosie)Paat, Anthony Paat, Justin Paat, Nicholas Paat, Marisa Paat, Alex Paat, Kara (Jesse) Graber, Kelly (Aaron) Beitzel, Madison Henkin, Lindsay Henkin, Jacqueline Paat; and 6 step-grandchildren Joey Rolston, Jonathon Rolston, Chris Stanley, Brian Stanley, Brittany Grosse, Justice Chafin and great grandson Abel Graber.
He was preceded in death by his parents Melquiades and Eufrosina, siblings Sister Jude of the Holy Spirit, Melquiades Jr, Buenaventura, Crescencio, and great grandson Peter Graber. He is survived by his 2 sisters Josephine Hardy of Minneapolis, MN and Remedious Maceda of Chicago, IL.
Antonio leaves a legacy of care for his community and love and sacrifice for his family. He will be remembered for his kindness, sense of humor, and thoughtfulness. The family would like to thank the numerous family and friends that have offered their prayers and support through his illness. Special thanks as well to Jake Bruene, Drs. Brad Sachs, Hammad Rashid, Raj Bhatia, Haridas Biswas, and Mohammad El Sayyad, and the staffs at McLaren St. Luke's Hospital, Waterford at Levis Commons, and Hospice NWO for their superb medical care.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 20, from 2:00 -8:00 p.m. with a Rosary Service at 7:00 at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd. The funeral will begin at Coyle on Friday, October 21 at 10:30 a.m. followed by the Mass at St. Joan of Arc at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery.
Donations in his memory can be made to Special Commission On Relief and Education (SCORE) P.O. Box 715, Maumee, OH 43537-0715. Please leave a condolence message for the family at CoyleFuneralHome.com.
Dr. Antonio B. Paat, a physician who cared for Toledo-area families - in his office or their home - as he helped form an international medical mission group and a Filipino community association, died Thursday in Waterford at Levis Commons, Perrysburg. He was 91.
He had multiple myeloma and was in declining health, his family said. He and his wife, Teodora, were at Waterford most recently, but their longtime home was in southwest Toledo.
Dr. Paat retired at age 79, about 20 years after his son Dr. Richard Paat joined him in medical practice. The doctors, father and son, spoke with The Blade a decade ago about caring for others, locally and abroad.
"We have fulfilled our American dream," the elder Dr. Paat said in 2012.
He received his medical degree in 1955 from the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila for further training and became chief surgical resident at Colorado State Hospital in Pueblo. Afterward, he returned to the Philippines, with a private practice at a hospital in Quezon City.
He, his wife, and the family returned to the United States in 1966 and settled in Toledo, home of his wife's cousin and her husband, Lolita and Dr. Angel Quinto, and later became U.S. citizens. He served on staff at St. Luke's Hospital, then on Robinwood Avenue, and opened an office practice at Collingwood Boulevard and Monroe Street. His office later was at Glendale Avenue and Byrne Road and then in Maumee.
"His patients were very dedicated and followed him," the younger Dr. Paat said. "He loved Toledo and didn't want to live anyplace else. He really thrived here. He was accepted and was part of the medical community at St. Luke's and the Academy of Medicine. It was a wonderful place to raise a family."
He delivered babies in early years, and he made house calls.
"It was always about the patient first," son James Paat said. "What made him a good doctor made him a wonderful dad."
The younger Dr. Paat said: "When I think of a physician, I think of my dad."
When his son came to work at the office, the elder Dr. Paat advised that he'd have to build his practice from scratch as well.
"Nothing was handed to me," the younger Dr. Paat said. "He helped me, obviously. He taught me how to do the business side of medicine, the things you don't learn in medical school or your residency. He said you need to make sure you look like a professional, always treat the patients with respect."
The elder Dr. Paat was a founder and chairman of the Special Commission On Relief and Education Foundation, a nonprofit group known as SCORE, which supports medical missions globally and provides disaster relief. The parents of a baby he delivered while on a medical mission to a rural area in the Philippines named the child after him.
The elder Dr. Paat also helped found the Filipino Association of Toledo in 1978, starting with 35 families, he told The Blade in 2012, when more than 300 families were participating.
"The Filipino community is still very close," he said in 2012. In that community he was called "Manong," a term for a respected elder, his sons said.
His son Tony said: "It was important to bring up family with cultural awareness," adding that the close bonds made community like family.
"Everyone is an uncle or auntie, whether you're related or not," he said. "We grew up with a ton of cousins, even though our actual cousins were in the Philippines.
"He was such a caring and genuine person. He would smile and joke and kid," son Tony said. "His aura was calming and friendly to people."
He was born Dec. 5, 1930, in Santa, Ilocos Sur, Philippines to Eufrosina and Melquiades Paat. When the Japanese invaded in World War II, he and his father hid in the mountains for a time.
Surviving are his wife, the former Teodora Quinsay, whom he married May 9, 1957; sons Dr. John Paat, Dr. Richard Paat, Tony Paat, and James Paat; daughter, Judith Henkin; sisters Josephine Hardy and Remedious Maceda; 12 grandchildren; six step-grandchildren, and a great-grandson.
Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Thursday at the Coyle Funeral Home, with a Rosary service at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Joan of Arc Church, where he was a member.
The family suggests tributes to Special Commission On Relief and Education - SCORE - PO Box 715, Maumee, Ohio, 43537-0715.
Published by The Blade on Oct. 16, 2022.
Antonio Belmonte Paat, M.D. of Toledo, Ohio passed away peacefully on October 13, 2022 at the age of 91, surrounded by family and friends. He was born on December 5, 1930 in Santa, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. He received his medical degree from the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila in 1955. He trained in General Surgery in Youngstown, OH and Jacksonville, FL and served as chief surgical resident at Colorado State Hospital in Pueblo, Colorado. He returned to the Philippines in 1963 and was in private practice at St Luke's Hospital, Quezon City. He then immigrated back with his family to the United States in 1966 and established a private practice in Family Medicine in Toledo and Maumee, Ohio. He delivered babies, made house calls, and treated generations of adoring patients throughout his medical career. In 1989, his son,Richard Paat, M.D., joined him in practice. He retired at the age of 79.
Antonio was deeply involved in the advancement of his profession, serving as Secretary-Treasurer and Vice Chief of Staff at St. Luke's Hospital in Maumee, where he was elected to Emeritus Staff. He was active in the Academy of Medicine of Toledo and Lucas County and served as a delegate to the Ohio State Medical Association. He was a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice. He was also the founder and President of the Association of International Physicians that recognized and supported physicians from around the world that practiced in Toledo.
Antonio will always be remembered for his commitment in fostering the Filipino community and helping those in need. He was President of the Filipino Association of Toledo, and co-founder and longtime Chair of the Special Commission On Relief and Education Foundation (SCORE) that supports international medical missions, disaster relief, and educational scholarships. He participated in numerous medical missions that served the poor in the Philippines.
A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Teodora Quinsay Paat. He was proud of his children: Drs. John Paat and Ann Reed (Chapel Hill, NC), Dr. Richard and Myra Paat (Perrysburg, OH), Tony and Rena Paat (Columbus, OH) , Judith and Dr. Philip Henkin (Tampa, FL) and James and Sharon Paat (Columbus, OH). He has 12 successful adult grandchildren Lauren Loehr, Joseph (Rosie)Paat, Anthony Paat, Justin Paat, Nicholas Paat, Marisa Paat, Alex Paat, Kara (Jesse) Graber, Kelly (Aaron) Beitzel, Madison Henkin, Lindsay Henkin, Jacqueline Paat; and 6 step-grandchildren Joey Rolston, Jonathon Rolston, Chris Stanley, Brian Stanley, Brittany Grosse, Justice Chafin and great grandson Abel Graber.
He was preceded in death by his parents Melquiades and Eufrosina, siblings Sister Jude of the Holy Spirit, Melquiades Jr, Buenaventura, Crescencio, and great grandson Peter Graber. He is survived by his 2 sisters Josephine Hardy of Minneapolis, MN and Remedious Maceda of Chicago, IL.
Antonio leaves a legacy of care for his community and love and sacrifice for his family. He will be remembered for his kindness, sense of humor, and thoughtfulness. The family would like to thank the numerous family and friends that have offered their prayers and support through his illness. Special thanks as well to Jake Bruene, Drs. Brad Sachs, Hammad Rashid, Raj Bhatia, Haridas Biswas, and Mohammad El Sayyad, and the staffs at McLaren St. Luke's Hospital, Waterford at Levis Commons, and Hospice NWO for their superb medical care.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 20, from 2:00 -8:00 p.m. with a Rosary Service at 7:00 at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd. The funeral will begin at Coyle on Friday, October 21 at 10:30 a.m. followed by the Mass at St. Joan of Arc at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery.
Donations in his memory can be made to Special Commission On Relief and Education (SCORE) P.O. Box 715, Maumee, OH 43537-0715. Please leave a condolence message for the family at CoyleFuneralHome.com.
Dr. Antonio B. Paat, a physician who cared for Toledo-area families - in his office or their home - as he helped form an international medical mission group and a Filipino community association, died Thursday in Waterford at Levis Commons, Perrysburg. He was 91.
He had multiple myeloma and was in declining health, his family said. He and his wife, Teodora, were at Waterford most recently, but their longtime home was in southwest Toledo.
Dr. Paat retired at age 79, about 20 years after his son Dr. Richard Paat joined him in medical practice. The doctors, father and son, spoke with The Blade a decade ago about caring for others, locally and abroad.
"We have fulfilled our American dream," the elder Dr. Paat said in 2012.
He received his medical degree in 1955 from the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila for further training and became chief surgical resident at Colorado State Hospital in Pueblo. Afterward, he returned to the Philippines, with a private practice at a hospital in Quezon City.
He, his wife, and the family returned to the United States in 1966 and settled in Toledo, home of his wife's cousin and her husband, Lolita and Dr. Angel Quinto, and later became U.S. citizens. He served on staff at St. Luke's Hospital, then on Robinwood Avenue, and opened an office practice at Collingwood Boulevard and Monroe Street. His office later was at Glendale Avenue and Byrne Road and then in Maumee.
"His patients were very dedicated and followed him," the younger Dr. Paat said. "He loved Toledo and didn't want to live anyplace else. He really thrived here. He was accepted and was part of the medical community at St. Luke's and the Academy of Medicine. It was a wonderful place to raise a family."
He delivered babies in early years, and he made house calls.
"It was always about the patient first," son James Paat said. "What made him a good doctor made him a wonderful dad."
The younger Dr. Paat said: "When I think of a physician, I think of my dad."
When his son came to work at the office, the elder Dr. Paat advised that he'd have to build his practice from scratch as well.
"Nothing was handed to me," the younger Dr. Paat said. "He helped me, obviously. He taught me how to do the business side of medicine, the things you don't learn in medical school or your residency. He said you need to make sure you look like a professional, always treat the patients with respect."
The elder Dr. Paat was a founder and chairman of the Special Commission On Relief and Education Foundation, a nonprofit group known as SCORE, which supports medical missions globally and provides disaster relief. The parents of a baby he delivered while on a medical mission to a rural area in the Philippines named the child after him.
The elder Dr. Paat also helped found the Filipino Association of Toledo in 1978, starting with 35 families, he told The Blade in 2012, when more than 300 families were participating.
"The Filipino community is still very close," he said in 2012. In that community he was called "Manong," a term for a respected elder, his sons said.
His son Tony said: "It was important to bring up family with cultural awareness," adding that the close bonds made community like family.
"Everyone is an uncle or auntie, whether you're related or not," he said. "We grew up with a ton of cousins, even though our actual cousins were in the Philippines.
"He was such a caring and genuine person. He would smile and joke and kid," son Tony said. "His aura was calming and friendly to people."
He was born Dec. 5, 1930, in Santa, Ilocos Sur, Philippines to Eufrosina and Melquiades Paat. When the Japanese invaded in World War II, he and his father hid in the mountains for a time.
Surviving are his wife, the former Teodora Quinsay, whom he married May 9, 1957; sons Dr. John Paat, Dr. Richard Paat, Tony Paat, and James Paat; daughter, Judith Henkin; sisters Josephine Hardy and Remedious Maceda; 12 grandchildren; six step-grandchildren, and a great-grandson.
Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Thursday at the Coyle Funeral Home, with a Rosary service at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Joan of Arc Church, where he was a member.
The family suggests tributes to Special Commission On Relief and Education - SCORE - PO Box 715, Maumee, Ohio, 43537-0715.
Published by The Blade on Oct. 16, 2022.
Antonio was deeply involved in the advancement of his profession, serving as Secretary-Treasurer and Vice Chief of Staff at St. Luke's Hospital in Maumee, where he was elected to Emeritus Staff. He was active in the Academy of Medicine of Toledo and Lucas County and served as a delegate to the Ohio State Medical Association. He was a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice. He was also the founder and President of the Association of International Physicians that recognized and supported physicians from around the world that practiced in Toledo.
Antonio will always be remembered for his commitment in fostering the Filipino community and helping those in need. He was President of the Filipino Association of Toledo, and co-founder and longtime Chair of the Special Commission On Relief and Education Foundation (SCORE) that supports international medical missions, disaster relief, and educational scholarships. He participated in numerous medical missions that served the poor in the Philippines.
A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Teodora Quinsay Paat. He was proud of his children: Drs. John Paat and Ann Reed (Chapel Hill, NC), Dr. Richard and Myra Paat (Perrysburg, OH), Tony and Rena Paat (Columbus, OH) , Judith and Dr. Philip Henkin (Tampa, FL) and James and Sharon Paat (Columbus, OH). He has 12 successful adult grandchildren Lauren Loehr, Joseph (Rosie)Paat, Anthony Paat, Justin Paat, Nicholas Paat, Marisa Paat, Alex Paat, Kara (Jesse) Graber, Kelly (Aaron) Beitzel, Madison Henkin, Lindsay Henkin, Jacqueline Paat; and 6 step-grandchildren Joey Rolston, Jonathon Rolston, Chris Stanley, Brian Stanley, Brittany Grosse, Justice Chafin and great grandson Abel Graber.
He was preceded in death by his parents Melquiades and Eufrosina, siblings Sister Jude of the Holy Spirit, Melquiades Jr, Buenaventura, Crescencio, and great grandson Peter Graber. He is survived by his 2 sisters Josephine Hardy of Minneapolis, MN and Remedious Maceda of Chicago, IL.
Antonio leaves a legacy of care for his community and love and sacrifice for his family. He will be remembered for his kindness, sense of humor, and thoughtfulness. The family would like to thank the numerous family and friends that have offered their prayers and support through his illness. Special thanks as well to Jake Bruene, Drs. Brad Sachs, Hammad Rashid, Raj Bhatia, Haridas Biswas, and Mohammad El Sayyad, and the staffs at McLaren St. Luke's Hospital, Waterford at Levis Commons, and Hospice NWO for their superb medical care.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 20, from 2:00 -8:00 p.m. with a Rosary Service at 7:00 at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd. The funeral will begin at Coyle on Friday, October 21 at 10:30 a.m. followed by the Mass at St. Joan of Arc at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery.
Donations in his memory can be made to Special Commission On Relief and Education (SCORE) P.O. Box 715, Maumee, OH 43537-0715. Please leave a condolence message for the family at CoyleFuneralHome.com.
Dr. Antonio B. Paat, a physician who cared for Toledo-area families - in his office or their home - as he helped form an international medical mission group and a Filipino community association, died Thursday in Waterford at Levis Commons, Perrysburg. He was 91.
He had multiple myeloma and was in declining health, his family said. He and his wife, Teodora, were at Waterford most recently, but their longtime home was in southwest Toledo.
Dr. Paat retired at age 79, about 20 years after his son Dr. Richard Paat joined him in medical practice. The doctors, father and son, spoke with The Blade a decade ago about caring for others, locally and abroad.
"We have fulfilled our American dream," the elder Dr. Paat said in 2012.
He received his medical degree in 1955 from the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila for further training and became chief surgical resident at Colorado State Hospital in Pueblo. Afterward, he returned to the Philippines, with a private practice at a hospital in Quezon City.
He, his wife, and the family returned to the United States in 1966 and settled in Toledo, home of his wife's cousin and her husband, Lolita and Dr. Angel Quinto, and later became U.S. citizens. He served on staff at St. Luke's Hospital, then on Robinwood Avenue, and opened an office practice at Collingwood Boulevard and Monroe Street. His office later was at Glendale Avenue and Byrne Road and then in Maumee.
"His patients were very dedicated and followed him," the younger Dr. Paat said. "He loved Toledo and didn't want to live anyplace else. He really thrived here. He was accepted and was part of the medical community at St. Luke's and the Academy of Medicine. It was a wonderful place to raise a family."
He delivered babies in early years, and he made house calls.
"It was always about the patient first," son James Paat said. "What made him a good doctor made him a wonderful dad."
The younger Dr. Paat said: "When I think of a physician, I think of my dad."
When his son came to work at the office, the elder Dr. Paat advised that he'd have to build his practice from scratch as well.
"Nothing was handed to me," the younger Dr. Paat said. "He helped me, obviously. He taught me how to do the business side of medicine, the things you don't learn in medical school or your residency. He said you need to make sure you look like a professional, always treat the patients with respect."
The elder Dr. Paat was a founder and chairman of the Special Commission On Relief and Education Foundation, a nonprofit group known as SCORE, which supports medical missions globally and provides disaster relief. The parents of a baby he delivered while on a medical mission to a rural area in the Philippines named the child after him.
The elder Dr. Paat also helped found the Filipino Association of Toledo in 1978, starting with 35 families, he told The Blade in 2012, when more than 300 families were participating.
"The Filipino community is still very close," he said in 2012. In that community he was called "Manong," a term for a respected elder, his sons said.
His son Tony said: "It was important to bring up family with cultural awareness," adding that the close bonds made community like family.
"Everyone is an uncle or auntie, whether you're related or not," he said. "We grew up with a ton of cousins, even though our actual cousins were in the Philippines.
"He was such a caring and genuine person. He would smile and joke and kid," son Tony said. "His aura was calming and friendly to people."
He was born Dec. 5, 1930, in Santa, Ilocos Sur, Philippines to Eufrosina and Melquiades Paat. When the Japanese invaded in World War II, he and his father hid in the mountains for a time.
Surviving are his wife, the former Teodora Quinsay, whom he married May 9, 1957; sons Dr. John Paat, Dr. Richard Paat, Tony Paat, and James Paat; daughter, Judith Henkin; sisters Josephine Hardy and Remedious Maceda; 12 grandchildren; six step-grandchildren, and a great-grandson.
Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Thursday at the Coyle Funeral Home, with a Rosary service at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Joan of Arc Church, where he was a member.
The family suggests tributes to Special Commission On Relief and Education - SCORE - PO Box 715, Maumee, Ohio, 43537-0715.
Published by The Blade on Oct. 16, 2022.
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