Dr. Felix G. Rabito Sr.'s Obituary
Dr. Felix G. Rabito, Sr., age 95, of Mandeville, Louisiana, passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 13, 1930, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the second son of Anthony Rabito and Amelia Chetta Rabito.
He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Janice Pedelahore Rabito; their four children, Gia M. Rabito (Sid Bhansali), Felicia A. Rabito (William Ellison), Felix G. Rabito, Jr. (Mary Frances Slahetka Rabito) and Michael S. Rabito (Robin Jermann Rabito); six grandchildren, Katherine DiLeo (David Brand), Ara Ellison, Emily Ellison, Felix M. Rabito, Julia Rabito and Thomas Rabito; and many extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his older brother Anthony Rabito, Jr. and his younger brother, Frank Rabito, both of New Orleans.
Felix graduated from Tulane University and LSU Medical School with his Residency spent at Charity Hospital. During the Korean Conflict, he served in the United States Airforce as Air Force Captain, Medical Corp stationed at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia. Returning to New Orleans, he became a highly respected and devoted physician practicing Internal Medicine and Cardiology until he retired at age 85. Felix started his practice of medicine at Baptist, Mercy and Hotel Dieu hospitals, before committing himself to the development of a large multi-specialty internal medicine practice, the Internal Medicine Group (IMG), affiliated with Pendelton Memorial Methodist Hospital in New Orleans East. There he supervised the first Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Methodist and, together with his partners, grew IMG to be one of the largest group of physicians in practice in New Orleans expanding to communities in East St. Tammany and Jefferson parishes. Adjacent to Methodist, he and his partners built the Medical Center of East New Orleans, a 13-story medical complex which housed multi-specialties to better serve the growing community of East New Orleans.
Throughout his career, he held leadership positions in many medical societies and received numerous recognitions including the American College of Physicians Laureate Award. He was also a medical consultant to Chevron Oil Company, Shell Oil Company, Louisiana Land & Exploration, and was a consultant to the Federal Aviation Administration.
After Felix retired from IMG, he and Janice relocated to their weekend home in Mandeville, where he established a solo practice and enjoyed serving his patients for another 15 years. Felix and Janice were members of the Beau Chene golfing community for nearly 50 years and had many friends both North and South of the lake. He was a member of St. Pius the X and Mary Queen of Peace parishes and supported many Catholic charities.
Felix found beauty in his travels to Europe and the American West. He loved opera, literature, art, history and politics. He was passionate about golf which he enjoyed playing with Janice, proudly stating that together they had the perfect game – she the long game and he the short game.
His life was full of many wins with his devoted Janice by his side. What Felix was most passionate about was his family – his wife, his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren – all of whom gave him endless joy throughout his blessed life.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Dr. Rabito may be made to a charity of your choice.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the memorial service on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 12:00 PM at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, West Causeway Approach, Mandeville, Louisiana, with visitation beginning at 11:00 AM. Interment will be held privately at All Saints Mausoleum, 5100 Pontchartrain Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana.
E. J. Fielding Funeral Home of Covington, Louisiana, is honored to be entrusted with Dr. Rabito’s funeral arrangements. His family invites you to share thoughts, memories, and condolences by signing an online guestbook at https://www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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