Ramon Malaya, M.D., 72

With great sadness, Ramon Ortega Malaya M.D. has been delivered to his Lord’s arms on Nov. 30, 2012, at Makati Medical Center in MetroManila, Philippines in the presence of his wife, Soledad Madara, his son, Ramon Madara, and numerous friends and family members. Dr. Malaya was on vacation at the time of his death.

Dr. Malaya was born on Feb. 12, 1940, in the San Miguel bario of Iriga City, Philippines, the youngest of 12 children of Inte and Pilar Malaya. Despite his humble beginnings, he successfully graduated from the prestigious Universidad de Santo Tomas College of Medicine in 1965, considered the “Harvard of the East” in medical circles. He immigrated with his family to the United States in 1969 and completed a residency in Internal Medicine at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Staten Island, N.Y. in 1973.Later that year, he accepted a temporary position as an emergency room physician at Scioto Memorial Hospital, Portsmouth, Ohio. He was so embraced by the community at large, that he decided to forego fellowship training and established a private practice with the late Dr. Sol Asch on Offnere Street. Dr. Malaya was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and patron and physician to the sisters of St. Joseph Monastery.

He is former director of the Cardiac Lab and director of pulmonary services of Mercy Hospital. He is a former board member for the Southern Ohio Medical Center. He is a founding member of Jesters International Fraternity.

In the Phililppines, visitations and daily masses were offered at the chapel of Sanctorario De San Antonio, Forbes Park, Makati on Dec. 1-4. He was inurned at St. James’ Catholic Church in Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa on Dec. 5. A novena for the departed was offered in his name by his family.

Dr. Malaya is survived by his wife, Soledad Madara and his son, Dr. Ramon Malaya, Jr of the Cleveland Clinic, his daughter-in-law, Angie Kay and grandchildren, Ysabella Clair and Landon Alexander, all of whom deeply miss him.

His family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to those who have extended their sympathy and condolences. A service to celebrate his life and memory will be arranged at a later date.