Obituary of Dr. Joseph Solages
Piscataway, NJ – Dr. Joseph Solages, 82, a well-respected pediatrician in South Plainfield, passed away on February 22, 2025, at his residence with his loving family at his side. Born in La Vallée-de-Jacmel, Haiti, to the late Elie and Emilienne (Dure) Solages, he completed his formal education in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, including medical school at the State University of Haiti.
After moving to the United States, Dr. Solages lived in Evanston, IL, Portland, ME, St. Louis, MO, Columbia, SC, and New York, NY, before settling in New Jersey for the last four decades. He resided with his beloved family in Piscataway for the last thirty-six years.
Dr. Solages completed his internship at Homer G. Phillips Hospital and his pediatrics residency at Harlem Hospital, which is affiliated with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University. After completing his medical training, he began his career as a pediatrician at the Plainfield Health Center and later opened his own practice in South Plainfield. He retired after a forty-year career serving the children of the area.
He was certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and had admitting privileges at several hospitals, including Muhlenberg Regional, JFK, and St. Peter’s University Hospital. He was a compassionate and skilled pediatrician who served generations and will be missed by those who knew him.
Dr. Solages enjoyed dancing to Haitian music and listening to religious hymns. A devout Catholic, he became a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in South Plainfield in 1982. He faithfully attended weekly Catholic Mass with his loving wife, Bernadette, and demonstrated Divine Love by sweetly caring for his family, friends and patients.
Dr. Solages was his wife’s best friend, the life of impromptu family dance parties, and an energetic source of joy and kindness to his siblings, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. His family was the center of his life and his greatest source of happiness. He spoke three languages—English, French and his native language, Haitian Kreyòl—and enjoyed lively discussions about Haitian history and culture. He was a long-time member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. Joseph Solages leaves behind his wife Bernadette and their children: Andy Solages and his spouse LeChez of Frederick, MD, Dr. Martine Solages of Silver Spring, MD, Gregory Solages of Piscataway, as well as his grandchildren Yasmene and Xavier Solages of Frederick, MD. He is also survived by his brothers: Emile Solages of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and Micius Solages and his wife Therese of Spring Valley, NY; his nieces and nephews: Patrick and Donna Solages, Marie and Ted Sparks, Dr. Anthony and Dr. Florence Solages, Ronald, Anderson, and Elizabeth Solages; as well as his grand nieces and grand nephews: Sydney, Jordyn, Isabelle, Monica, Kimberly, Nicholas and Anthony; and by his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law: Joseph and Margot Jules, Paulette, Madeleine, Julienne and Gladys Jules, and Denise Solages. He was predeceased by his brother Wilfrid Solages.
Family and friends may gather for visitation at McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, on Monday, March 3, 2025, from 5pm – 8pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, beginning at 10am at Sacred Heart Church, 149 South Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield. Dr. Solages will be laid to rest at Resurrection Burial Park in Piscataway. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Food for the Poor, or Sacred Heart Church.