Dr. Joseph Majstoravich Jr.

Dedicated father and retired ophthalmologist Joseph Majstoravich, Jr., MD of Newport, North Carolina, died on December 26, 2024, at Carolina East Medical Center.

A funeral service to honor Dr. Majstoravich’s life will be held on January 6 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 810 Bridges Street in Morehead City, NC officiated by Dr. Nate Leonard. Family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow at Gethsemane Memorial Park.

Joseph was born in Monongahela, PA to Joseph Majstoravich, Sr. and Sarah Sabina Hatfield on August 31, 1949. Joseph came from humble beginnings; his father was employed by U.S. Steel, where Joseph worked summers in the blast furnaces. He excelled in football and baseball, and upon graduating from Clairton High School in 1967, Joseph turned down football scholarships to Bucknell and Dartmouth. Tired of being physically bruised, Joseph accepted the Phillip Murray academic scholarship to attend West Virginia University.

Joseph’s dream was to serve others through the practice of medicine. He attended medical school at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill. While working in a laboratory, he met the love of his life, Judy Carol Roberts. Although it took some convincing, Judy agreed to marriage after seeing his gentle nature and love for animals. On October 17, 1973, they eloped to Dillon, South Carolina.

After graduating from medical school in 1974, Joseph and Judy moved to Pittsburgh, PA where he completed his ophthalmology residency at St. Francis Hospital. In Pittsburgh, Joseph and Judy started their young family with the birth of their first two daughters. They also developed a further passion for all things Pittsburgh, most notably their beloved Steelers.

Following specialty training at Pittsburgh Eye and Ear, Joseph and his family moved to Morehead City, NC (Judy’s hometown). Upon completion of his office, Joseph opened his doors on August 7, 1978, at 18 Medical Park Drive to begin his career as a solo practitioner of ophthalmology. He maintained his practice for over 40 years. He was also a physician on staff at Carteret General Hospital where he performed ocular surgery, responded to emergency needs, and served as Chief-of-Staff for an interval. Joseph was the only ophthalmologist in the area for many years. Joseph was somewhat forced into retirement with the illness of his wife alongside the onset of the Covid Pandemic. 

Joseph felt blessed to call Carteret County his home in which to raise his family. During the snowstorm of March 1980, Joseph found himself isolated at home with no power and his laboring wife, two cats, his parents, a nanny, and his two young daughters. Never one to back down from a challenge, Joseph prepared to deliver their baby at the top of the stairs. Much to Judy’s relief and a small miracle, a friendly neighbor with a new truck transported the couple to the hospital where their youngest daughter was born.

Patients described Joseph as an empathetic listener, astute observer and dedicated specialist. He was known to go on house calls for the non-ambulatory or those with restricted travel Down East or at Snug Harbor. In addition to serving patients in his community, Joseph led multiple medical missions to countries, such as Belize, Antigua, and Honduras. With a growing love for the Lord, he and his wife later became members of First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and Sunday school facilitator. Joseph truly loved God’s Word, and his devotion for Christ could often be felt in his care for patients.

When younger, Joseph enjoyed camping on the beach, fishing, creating stained glass, planning gardens, attending local sporting events, and caring for a pet menagerie. Joseph learned about oyster roasts and clam bakes from his father-in-law, leading to family reunions often revolving around seafood. In his later years, Joseph, a dedicated lifelong learner continued to be an avid reader, recipe researcher, observant bird watcher and star gazer and if time had permitted a most likely Jeopardy champion. 

Those remaining to cherish his memory are his daughters Martza Jo Majstoravich, JD of Morehead City, Sonja Jo Majstoravich of Wales, MA, and Sarah Jo Majstoravich, MD of Wilmington; sister Irma Tewell of Delmont, PA; grandson Francisco Aguirre- Majstoravich; granddaughter Stella Marie McCarthy; several nieces and nephews; and his loyal cat family Samson, Esther and Ruth.

In addition to his parents, Dr. Majstoravich was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years Judy; sisters Irene Bertulina and Patty Cummings.

An expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Broad Street Clinic, Carteret County Humane Society, or the First Baptist Church of Morehead City, NC.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. in Morehead City, NC.