Dr. Joel Wayne Goldsmith

Joel Wayne Goldsmith born May 11, 1943 in New York City passed away peacefully on December 7, 2022, at the
age of 79 surrounded by his loving family after a courageous, and extended battle against cancer. He is survived by
his life partner of 31 years Sarah Wasserman, his two children, Michelle and Jonathan, his sister Deborah, brother
Daniel, and his grandson, Jason.
Joel attended the prestigious Bronx High School of Science and earned his undergraduate degree from Columbia
University, and his medical degree at SUNY down state. He completed his medical internship at Long Island Jewish
Hospital, followed by his residency at Montefiore and Albert Einstein Hospitals.
After his surgical training, Joel served as a Major in the US Army, spending two years in active duty and one of those
years with the Green Berets in Vietnam. Joel opened a Urology practice in East Brunswick and ran it successfully
solo for 48 years becoming known as an incredible clinician, and taking care of his patients with integrity and care. In
2007 he moved on from his practice and became an assistant professor at Rutgers Medical School for 15 years.  He
was a beloved faculty member at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and mentored dozens of urology
residents winning multiple teaching awards. He was regarded as highly approachable and a sought-after teacher of
surgical skills. He was an active member of the American Urological Association, and the American Society of
Reproductive Medicine and Fellow American College of Surgeons.
Joel had a green thumb and a passion for nurturing not only surgeons but his garden. He had a long standing tete a
tete with the squirrels harassing the birds and he enjoyed coming up with challenges to thwart them. The squirrels
said they will miss him deeply and will respect a period of mourning. He took great pride in his 2-acre property and
beautified it with a variety of trees and shrubs. As a long time, member of the Rutgers Garden Association and
Garden Conservancy, on a regular basis he would visit the Rutgers Gardens to scout out unusual varieties of
different plants and flowers. He was
a born horticulturist.
In addition to amassing many beautiful plants, he was also an avid collector of art and antiques.  He spent many
holidays and weekends attending Antique Shows with Sarah. They shared a passion for traveling and going to
classical concerts and operas. In addition, he spent many a season at the beaches of Long Beach Island or the
mountains of the Northeast enjoying skiing with his family and friends. Intellectually he was extremely gifted and had
a tremendous appetite for reading anything from the New York Times since he was a child of 7 years old to his
favorite science fictions novels. He was always prepared for a robust exchange of information ranging from current
events to the final jeopardy topic. Joel was a philanthropist making annual donations to Columbia University, ACLU,
NARAL, Public Radio and Cancer Care.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made in Joel's name to the following organizations that go
directly into the hands of cancer patients to help with necessities:
https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/Donate
and click on: John Theurer Cancer Center.
Or
A check to:
Partners in Healing Foundation
C/o michael nissenblatt,md
Astera Oncology
J2 Brier Hill Court
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Michael.nissenblatt@asterahealthcare.org