Tully Patrowicz
Age - 91
November 14, 2023
"Dr. Tully Colcord Patrowicz, who practiced ophthalmology in Lake County for more than 50 years, passed away on October 15. He was 91. Tully was born in Flushing, New York in 1932. He was the only child of Beatrice Lufkin Patrowicz and Edward Patrowicz. Tully met Constance (Connie) Starin at Bayside High School in Queens when they were 15 and 14, respectively. Their romance blossomed quickly and gloriously and never faded, spanning seven decades. Tully earned an undergraduate degree from Columbia University and a degree in optometry from Southern College of Optometry. In 1958, after completing graduate studies at Indiana University, he moved to Florida with Connie and their firstborn, Scott, and established an optometry practice in Fort Pierce. He also taught math and science at local public schools. In the mid-1960s, in his 30s and with three children, now including daughters Jan and Robin, Tully set out to earn a medical degree in ophthalmology. He received an MD in 1968 - while still working as an optometrist - from the University of Miami School of Medicine. After completing an internship and residency, serving as Chief Resident in Ophthalmology at the University of Florida, he accepted a position in ophthalmic surgery at Waterman Hospital in Eustis. Later he launched his own practice, which served the community's eye care needs for 30 years. At the height of his career, Dr. Patrowicz was often invited to speak before professional organizations in the US and overseas. He visited Poland on multiple occasions to lead educational seminars on advances in eye surgery and medical best practices. Tully also served on medical boards, including Florida's Board of Medicine. For nine years, under three different governors, he worked to safeguard the quality of Florida's medical services and the competence of its health care practitioners. He also served as president of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, and he was a very active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In the 1990s, he served on the boards of the Lake Sumter Medical Society and the North Lake County Hospital District. In 1994, with the cost of medical care rising and growing inequities in health care, Tully was instrumental in founding We Care of Lake County and became its first director. An avid supporter of the arts, Tully was appointed to the Florida Council on Arts and Culture in 1994 and served for four years, chairing the committee in 1997 and 1998 and helping to ensure funding of outstanding art projects throughout Lake County and statewide. Dr. Patrowicz was honored to receive the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award in 1999 as one of five international recipients. He also received the Shaler Richardson, M. D. Service to Medicine Award from the Florida Society of Ophthalmology (1997), the Lake County Community Service Humanitarian Award (1996), and the James W. Clower, Jr. M. S. Community Service Award (1993). Growing up in Queens, near the mouth of the East River and Little Neck Bay, Tully spent his youth on or near the water. He learned to sail on his first boat, the Hobo. As an adult Tully studied celestial navigation and spent many happy hours boating and tinkering with boats. Tully lived a rewarding, productive life, and often quoted a motto shared by an old friend: "There's no better life than a good life. " His sense of humor and appreciation for his blessings were hallmarks of his happiness. He adored his wife, Connie; his three children and their families, including five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; memorable moments with colleagues, extended family, and friends; and opportunities to ensure his patients' health and the well-being of others in his orbit. When he was an octogenarian, after giving up his own practice, he held down three separate ophthalmology positions concurrently - continuing to work full time. As of last week, he was still seeing patients at his office at Fishman \u0026amp; Sheridan EyeCare Specialists in Eustis. He never tired of learning. In his final decades, Tully taught himself woodworking and made fine furniture, and he learned to play the piano. Tully touched many lives and appreciated the relationships and adventures he was privileged to enjoy over a lifetime. He was a gifted storyteller and enjoyed sharing his anecdotes. Dr. Patrowicz is survived by his wife, Connie Patrowicz; his son Scott, Scott's wife, Lucie, and their daughter, Isabel Patrowicz; his daughter Jan, her husband Ralph, and their children, Andrew and Krista; his daughter Robin and her children, Caitlyn and Zachary, and Robin's husband, Johnny. No funeral service is scheduled. Those wishing to honor Dr. Patrowicz's memory may consider making a donation to the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Florida, We Care of Lake County, New Vision for Independence, or Cornerstone Hospice. https://eye. ufl. edu/donate/ https://www. wecarelakecounty. org/donate https://newvisionfl. org/give/ https://interland3. donorperfect. net/weblink/weblink. aspx?name=E346236\u0026amp;id=2"Show more
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
