Verne M. Pineda MD's Obituary
Verne M. Pineda MD, a beloved father, physician, and mentor, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2026, at the age of 83. He lived a life marked by service, dedication, and compassion for others and fierce devotion to his family.
Born on August 12, 1942, in Bacolor, Pampanga, Philippines, he attended the prestigious Jesuit institution Ateneo de Manila in Manila, Philippines, a school in which he always took great pride. He went on to pursue his medical degree at the University of Santo Thomas. He specialized in gastroenterology, a field in which he built a long and respected career. After decades of caring for patients for over 40 years with skill and empathy in his own private practice and at Virtua (West Jersey) Hospital, he retired as a gastroenterologist, leaving behind a legacy of service and quiet excellence in medicine.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, he will be remembered for his generosity, integrity, and steadfast devotion to his family and to the community. He touched the lives of countless patients, colleagues, and friends, not only through his medical expertise and strong work ethic, but through his kindness and compassion. He was well loved and respected by his colleagues and remained close with his high school and medical school friends.
Staunch and unwavering in his commitment to his family, he was also a man of strong Roman Catholic faith. He attended mass weekly and would have many masses said for his family and friends.
He cherished spending time with his family and his friends, and his granddaughters were a source of immense joy and delight. He loved reading books about history and politics and also enjoyed Philadelphia sports.
Still loyal to his beloved country of birth, he made it a point to travel annually to the Philippines and connect with his family and friends.
He is survived by his children, Rica and Robert, his sisters Salvacion (Alonzo) and Heidi (Gatus), his daughter-in-law, Jennifer (Johnston), and his grandchildren, Caroline and Emily (Pineda) who will forever cherish his wisdom, guidance, and love. His memory will continue to live on in the many lives he healed and the family he so deeply cared for. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lourdes O. Pineda MD and his parents, Prospero Pineda and Marina Mendoza.
Verne will be reunited with the love of his life, Lourdes, with a joint viewing on Thursday, February 5th, 2026, from 6pm - 8pm, at Givnish Funeral Home, located at 398 E. Main Street, Marlton, NJ, 08053, followe by a second viewing on Friday, February 6th, 2026, from 9am - 10:15am at the funeral home. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, February 6th at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Marlton, NJ, at 11:00 am with interment to follow at Jesus Bread of Life Cemetery.
In keeping with his lifelong mission, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Ateneo de Manila (https://webpay.ateneo.edu/peso).
What’s your fondest memory of Verne?
What’s a lesson you learned from Verne?
Share a story where Verne's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Verne you’ll never forget.
How did Verne make you smile?
