The community remained in shock and filled with sadness this week with the passing of one of Salisbury’s most beloved physicians, Dr. Ignatius Loyola “Iggy” DiNardo.

A partner in the Drs. Huddleston and DiNardo internal medicine practice in Salisbury, DiNardo and his family were flying to Mexico on Dec. 22 for a Christmas vacation, when he became ill on the airplane and later died.

Just 62 years old, DiNardo was well known for his extraordinary calmness and helpful demeanor in dealing with his patients, spending ample time with his clients and truly listening to their concerns.

“His accomplishments can only be measured by his humility,” said his brother, Ed DiNardo. “He was a beautiful person.”

Born Nov. 15, 1957, in Baltimore, his parents were Margaret DiNardo and the late Dr. Hector DiNardo.

He graduated valedictorian of Loyola Blakefield in 1975, where he wrestled and was captain of the tennis team.

“Iggy famously hated attention with a passion,” recalled Ed DiNardo. “My parents never knew he graduated No. 1 in his class until the day of graduation.”

DiNardo went on to complete his undergraduate and medical degrees at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Following graduation, he completed his residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. He then served a four-year commitment with the National Health Service Corps and was assigned to Princess Anne.

During his time on the Eastern Shore, he reconnected with Joanie Clark, and they married in 1988.

The couple settled in Salisbury and he opened an internal medicine practice with Dr. Chris Huddleston. Over the years, DiNardo cared for many patients throughout the Eastern Shore at various hospitals and received numerous rewards based on quality of care, including Patients’ Choice Awards and Compassionate Doctor Recognition

Beyond his private practice, DiNardo served as a hospitalist at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. He also developed a passion for medical consulting and serving as an expert witness with Coastal Internal Medicine.

He enjoyed an active lifestyle and his most recent accomplishment was hiking the entire rim of the Grand Canyon.  

He openly prided himself on the care he provided for countless patients over the last 30 years, and the happiness of his family. Each of his children was an outstanding local athlete: He was the No. 1 fan and never missed a game.

DiNardo was also known for his competitive skills. “Iggy was an incredible athlete,” Ed Dinardo said. “He always had a ball in his hand rather than a book growing up.”

In addition to his mother and his wife, Joanie, DiNardo is survived by his three children, Gregory Ignatius, Madeline Domeij and Lillian Grace; siblings, Mary Lou, Hector, Mary Kay, Peter and Edmund; and a sister-in-law, Allison.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his two sisters, Mary Jo and Mary Margaret.

A visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Holloway Funeral Home in Salisbury. A Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at 1 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Salisbury.

Memorial donations may be made to any of the following: The Atlantic General Hospital Campaign for the Future, Mac Center Inc., Flying Fur Animal Rescue or Gimme Shelter Animal Rescue.