PITTSTON – When Eugene DeMinico was finishing his master’s degrees in biology and planning to head off to medical school in 1975, his father suggested he consider becoming a chiropractor.
Louis Latimer, a chiropractor from Carbondale, learned that DeMinico was thinking about going to medical school in Italy and had suggested he stay in the United States and became a chiropractor.
Latimer had treated a family member, helping her get well when traditional medicine could not.
Before making his decision, DeMinico made weekly trips from Bloomsburg University to Carbondale to train with the man who became his mentor and friend.
Upon completing his education at the National College of Chiropractic in Illinois, DeMinico returned to Pittston and set up practice on Main Street with one staff member and focused on helping people live their best lives.
In spite of opportunities outside the area, DeMinico made an unwavering commitment to the Pittston area and its residents.
One patient from those early days especially bolstered DeMinico’s confidence in himself as a chiropractor and of his ability to help people get well.
A long-time Pittston resident showed up at his office one day, but wasn’t able to make it to the front door.
“They had him lying flat in the back seat of his car; he couldn’t even move,” said DeMinico. “I told him I couldn’t treat him, to take him to the emergency room.”
A few hours later, the man was back – he had been to the emergency room and now wanted to be treated by Dr. DeMinico.
Knowing the man was in too much pain to travel, DeMinico went to his house every day at lunch time and treated him there.
After three months, he received a telephone call from the patient’s wife. Her husband would come to DeMinico’s office from then on because he was in much less pain.
After six and a half months of treatment, the man was able to walk.
“He never did have surgery,” said DeMinico.
The doctor and his staff of four now see patients weekly at the office.
Life of service
When asked about how his commitment to community and to service evolved, DeMinico said his service reflected stages of his life.
As a college student and before he was married, DeMinico was an EMT and firefighter in Pittston City.
After he got married and with his wife Debra pregnant with their second child, he was asked to coach Pittston Little League and Jenkins Township girls softball.
He went on to be vice president of the Jenkins Township Little League Association.
As his children grew, he continued to serve the community, this time in a way in which his training and position served him well.
“Because I was certified in orthopedics and sports medicine, I was asked to be the team physician at Seton Catholic High School’s basketball program, which I did until the school closed,” he said.
He was then asked to be the sports physician for the Pittston Area High School football and basketball programs, a position he still holds, attending all home and away games.
DeMinico has also served as a Red Cross instructor for the YMCA, providing CPR, AED and First Aid training to its employees.
Making it personal
After the death of DeMinico’s son Eugene DeMinico II in 2005, the family wanted to do a memorial event that would raise money for a worthy cause to honor his memory.
The answer came in the form of a memorial basketball game started by Joe Long, former coach at Seton Catholic, and Alex Brogna, then-coach at Pittston Area, with proceeds donated to local K9 units.
The tradition continued after Seton Catholic closed with Wyoming Area stepping up as one of the teams.
Fundraising started with a tin can at the door as an opportunity to raise money for care of the K9 officers.
The event now raises between $3,000 and $5,000 toward the K9s of the Pittston and Pittston Township police departments.
“My son used to say, ‘Dad, do you have $25 or $50 for the dogs? They need food or something’,” DeMinico said. “So this is perfect.”
Looking toward the future
DeMinico has no plans to retire, working three full days a week and continuing to serve as team doctor to several local teams.
“I never worked a day in my life,” he said, smiling, “because I totally enjoy my job.”
Debra works alongside him, doing billing and other office work as he sees patients, offering not just treatment, but words of encouragement.
He said he gets his love of hard work and community from his grandfather Gene Rinaldi, who owned a butcher shop in Pittston when DeMinico was a youngster.
“I started working there when I was 8, making deliveries and helping,” he said.
Now a resident of Wyoming, DeMinico thoroughly enjoys his spot on Pittston’s Main Street as the city’s redevelopment moves forward and the next generations are raised.
Having graduated from St. John the Evangelist High School and King’s College, he’s convinced the area offers much to its residents, including educational, social and political opportunities.
“I’ve seen patients and then their children and grandchildren,” he said. “The wonderful thing about Pittston is the people.”
