Obituary of Leo D. Moss

Dr. Leo D. Moss CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Dr. Leo D. Moss, formerly of Olean, N.Y., and a three-year resident of Cambridge, died Tuesday (Dec. 19, 2006) with his daughter, Judy Feingold, at his bedside, at the Neville Manor in Cambridge, of complications from pneumonia. He was born June 25, 1911, in Berlin, Spandau, Germany, the son of Phillip and Regina Poulter Moss. Dr. Moss attended the Royal Kant Gymnasium and the Municipal Real Gymnasium and graduated in 1929. He subsequently attended the medical schools of the University of Freiburg, Germany, and in Berne, Switzerland. In 1934, Dr. Moss graduated from the University in Berne with a doctor of medicine degree. During this time, he worked as an assistant in the Jewish Hospital in Berlin. In April 1935, he married Leonore “Lonny” Chill of Berlin-Schoeneberg, and in December 1935 the young couple emigrated to the United States. From February 1936 until July 1937, Dr. Moss served as an intern at the Medical Center in Jersey City, N.J. After completion of his internship, Dr. Moss joined the Department of Pathology at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City, where he received his residency training in pathology under the direction of Dr. Paul Klemperer, who was an outstanding leader in American pathology. In June 1941, Dr. Moss became a diplomat of the American Board of Pathology (anatomic pathology and clinical pathology). In April 1942, Dr. and Mrs. Moss moved to Olean where he was appointed pathologist and director of laboratories for Olean General, St. Francis and Salamanca City hospitals in New York and Bradford Hospital in Pennsylvania. In his new positions, Dr. Moss developed the clinical laboratories at the Olean General Hospital and Bradford Hospital into leading institutions in Western New York and expanded pathology services in all hospitals under his direction. He stepped down as director of the Olean General Hospital Laboratory in 1990, but remained as a part-time pathologist until his retirement in the fall of 2000. Beginning in 1960, Dr. Moss also served as part-time director of the Cattaraugus County Health Department and Laboratory, serving as Commissioner of Health for Cattaraugus County from 1974 through 1984. He was a member of numerous professional organizations, including Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, member of the American Association of Pathologists, Fellow of the American College of Physicians, Fellow of the College of American Pathologists and Fellow of the International Academy of Pathology. He served as president of the Western New York Society of Pathologists. During his career, Dr. Moss was president of the medical staff of the Olean General Hospital, president of the Cattaraugus County Medical Society and chief of staff at St. Francis Hospital. He was also an adjunct professor of biology at St. Bonaventure University, where he participated in the teaching of pathogenic microbiology. Dr. Moss retired as director of the Cattaraugus County Laboratory in June 2003. For over 55 years, he faithfully served the residents of Cattaraugus County. His graciousness and sense of humor are as well known as his humility, generosity and humanitarian efforts. During his career, Dr. Moss was the recipient of several honors and awards for his service to the community. He was an original member of the !ReHabilitation Center Board of Directors. In 1998 the !ReHabilitation Center awarded Dr. Moss a Lifetime Achievement Award. In his honor, the city of Olean re-named Lincoln Avenue, where the Cattaraugus County Office Building is located, to Leo Moss Drive. Following his retirement, Dr. Moss moved to Cambridge to be closer to his daughter. Although he relocated to Boston, he often referred to Olean as his “beloved Olean.” Surviving are his daughter, Judith Moss (Roger) Feingold of Boston; his son, Jeffrey (Barbara) Moss of San Antonio, Texas; and three grandchildren, Lindsay Moss (Adam Fleischhacker) Feingold and Lesley Anne (Peter Karp) Feingold, both of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Phillip Moss of Boston. He was predeceased by his wife, Lonny, and a daughter, Deborah Moss Barron. Funeral services will be held Friday (Dec. 22, 2006) at 2 p.m. at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Road, Olean. Burial will be in B'Nai Israel Cemetery, Olean. A reception for family and friends will be held from 4-6pm at the Old Library Restaurant. A visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the funeral home. Donations in his name may be made to the Leo D. Moss Fund for Human Kindness, c/o Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, 120 N. Union St., Olean, NY 14760; to Temple B’nai Israel; or to Olean General Hospital.