Obituary of Dr. Jesus Fulay Yap Jr.

~~Jesus F. Yap, Jr. MD

Dr. Jesus F. Yap, Jr., of Norwalk, passed away on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 with his loving family at his side.  Born in the Philippines on May 21, 1944 and educated at the prestigious University of the Philippines, Dr. Yap immigrated to the US in 1968 to continue his medical training in Albany, NY where he met his future wife, Nancy Louise Moore.   Dr. Yap was board certified in both Internal Medicine and Cardiology and held appointments at prominent medical institutions including Columbia University, NY Medical College, Norwalk Hospital and Stamford Hospital. From 1976, he served as Chief of Cardiology at St. Joseph’s Medical Center (now Stamford Medical Center) and head of the Heart Institute for over 20 years as well as Chief of Medical Staff (1997/1998).  He was a senior partner with Cardiology Associates, now Cardiology Physicians of Fairfield County.  Throughout his career, Dr. Yap was a tireless innovator; he conducted the first pacemaker operation in Stamford as well as the city’s first balloon angioplasty.  He was a passionate and tireless healer who provided his patients with outstanding care and compassion, as well as the occasional dose of humor.  When asked by a nervous patient if he was a religious man, Dr. Jesus Yap pointed to his first name on his badge and replied, “Don’t worry, you’re talking to the top guy!”  His love for his craft fueled his dedication to sharing his knowledge with his colleagues and community through regular lectures and publications and he continued to teach well after his retirement in 2012. Dr. Yap had an almost insatiable intellectual curiosity and loved to engage in spirited debate with his colleagues at the Prometheum and the State Street Debating Society in Stamford.  He was an enthusiastic golfer and devout parishioner at St. Jerome’s church in Norwalk.  His greatest source of pride and entertainment were his grandchildren whom he indulged with candy and TV at every opportunity.  In addition to his wife, Nancy, Dr. Yap is survived by his brothers, Romulo Yap and Roje Yap; his sisters, Jane Duka and Jennie Chan; daughter, Rosalina Yap Thomas and son-in-law, Justin Thomas; his son, Robert Yap and daughter-in-law, Son-Mi Lee; his son Stephen Yap and daughter-in-law Abbi Yap; as well as his grandchildren, Campbell Thomas, Reed Thomas, Logan Yap and Devon Yap.  He was predeceased by his father, Jesus N. Yap; his mother, Rosalina Fulay Yap and his brother, Rolando Yap. 

Visitation will be held from 3-8 PM on Thursday, November 9, 2017at Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home (next to the Knights of Columbus) 453 Shippan Ave Stamford, CT (203)-359-9999.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on November 10, 2017 at St. Jerome’s Roman Catholic Church 23 Half Mile Rd, Norwalk, CT . 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made in his honor to the Love for Life Foundation in support of medical missions to rural villages in the Philippines at www.theloveforlife.org or to St. Jerome’s church at http://www.stjeromenorwalk.org/.  To send on-line condolences to the Yap family, please visit www.gallagherfuneralhome.com