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Joseph Marion Gambescia Sr. (June 10, 1919 – Sep 23, 1991) was American scholar, Medical Doctor, Religions leader, and World War II veteran. A doctor of international reputation, he was a key contributor to the study of medicine and to the medical study of the Shroud of Turin. He was married to Mary Elizabeth Botto and the father of 16 children.

Dr. Gambescia was a native of Philadelphia, PA and graduated from South Philadelphia High School in 1935. He received a degree in Pharmaceuticals from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in 1939. After studying an additional 2 years of pre-medicine at Villanova University, Gambescia went on to receive his medical degree from Hahnemann Medical College in 1944. He ultimately became a professor at his alma mater, at the time called Hahnemann University School of Medicine, from 1950 to 1990.

He severed honorably during World War II in the Army Medical Corps and was chief of laboratories at the Army Hepatitis Research Center in Germany. He was honorably discharged from the Army with the rank of captain.

Post his discharge, Dr. Gambescia returned to Philadelphia to peruse is medical career. He ultimately becoming chairman of medicine at St. Agnes Medical Center located on South Broad St. in Philadelphia. In addition to his medical studies, Dr. Gambescia studied Theology at St Charles Borromeo Seminary and was ordinated a Permanent Diaconate in the Catholic Church in 1986.

In 1955, Dr. Gambescia became keenly interested in studying the Shroud of Turin. In 1978 he was selected as one of 30 members of the Shroud of Turin Research Project and traveled to Turin, Italy, to examine the shroud as a medical advisor and Italian translator. As a result of his early research Dr. Gambescia is credited with discovering the correct position a victim’s feet must be it to support one’s weight while being crucified.

Dr. Gambescia’s medical expertise was also utilized in the canonization process of St John Neumann. He was one of two doctors named to identify the remains of St John Neumann prior to the saint’s canonization in 1977.