DENNIS J. ZEVENEY, JR. M.D.

Dennis Joseph Zeveney, Jr, M.D.
September 30, 2024

Dennis Joseph Zeveney, Jr, M.D. of Mountain Top passed away at home in the presence of loved ones on September 30. Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, he was the son of the late Dennis Zeveney, Sr. and Ann (Cooper) Zeveney. Dr. Zeveney was a graduate of Scranton Prep, King’s College and George Washington University School of Medicine. He also spent a year at N.I.H. in Bethesda, MD performing research.

Dr. Zeveney served a surgical internship and residency at George Washington University Medical Center and affiliated hospitals. He was chief resident in general and vascular surgery at Veterans Administration Hospital in Washington, D.C. Upon completion of his training, he entered the U.S.Navy as Lt. Cmdr. and was stationed at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Beaufort, S.C. There he served as the staff surgeon and disaster control officer. Upon completion of military duty, he returned to Wilkes-Barre establishing a general surgical practice. Dr. Zeveney was a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, past president of the Luzerne County Medical Society (LCMS), and past LCMS representative to the PA Medical Society. Dr. Zeveney held surgical privileges at Wilkes-Barre Mercy Hospital (Medical Executive Committee), Nanticoke State General Hospital (Medical Executive Committee, Past staff president and rotating Chief of Surgery), and Nanticoke Mercy Special Care Hospital (Medical Executive Committee, rotating Chief of Surgery). He was the surgical consultant to numerous local nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. He was also a past member of Wilkes-Barre Area School District medical staff. Dr. Zeveney felt privileged to care for the community’s patients.

Dr. Zeveney was a parishioner of St. Jude Roman Catholic Church, Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, and past member of the Parish Council and Representative Scranton Diocese Bishop’s Council. Dr. Zeveney, affectionately known to many as Doc Z, lived a life centered around Faith, Family, Flag and Friends. Known as “Huggy Bear” to all the grandchildren for giving big bear hugs. He enjoyed family vacations, wine fests, fishing trips with sons to Alaska, Canada, the Florida Keys, and locally. He looked forward to surgical conferences, philharmonic concerts, cruising the globe (Alaska, the Pacific, the Caribbean, the Baltics, the Mediterranean, and many ports in the USA). He fully enjoyed the change of seasons (football, basketball, baseball, and hockey). Always one to root for his favorites (King’s College, Washington RedSkins, L.A. Dodgers, L.A. Lakers, Pittsburgh and W-B/Scranton Penguins, and his beloved U.S. Naval Academy).

In addition to his parents, Dr. Zeveney was preceded in death by father-in-law Robert Smallman, mother-in-law Evelyn (Skaggs) Smallman, brother-in-law Curt Smallman, brother-in-law Ike Derossett, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He is survived by his wife Karen (Smallman) Zeveney; children Dr. Catherine Zeveney-Bristol (Scott); Mary Roque (James); Theresa Dean (Les), Dennis Zeveney III (Jenn); Robert Zeveney; and eleven beloved grandchildren. He is also survived by sister-in-law Sylvia (Smallman) Derossett, brother-in-law Robert Smallman, Jr. and his wife Bonnie Smallman in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 5-7pm at the Desiderio Lehman Funeral at 436 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top, PA 18707. Mass of Christian burial will be private, at the convenience of the family with Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Wilkes-Barre.

At Doc Z’s request, please remember him through donations to KIng’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA; St Jude Catholic Church, Mountain Top, PA; or your favorite charity.

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