Dr. John Yashar, 91

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA. – Dr. John Yashar died on Jan. 11 in Palm Beach Gardens.

He was born on Feb. 15, 1927, in Teheran, Iran, the son of Solomon and Sarah Yashar. He received a medical degree at the University of Teheran, after which he traveled to the US in 1950 (with $50 in his pocket and a suitcase in hand) to complete his training and embark on a medical career as a leading cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon. He trained at Bellevue Hospital (New York), was chief resident at Beth Israel (Boston), and mastered cardiovascular surgery at Case Western (Cleveland). 

He pioneered open-heart surgery in Rhode Island, becoming the first person to successfully complete open-heart surgery in the state, and helped to found and develop the open-heart surgery program at The Miriam Hospital. He was in private practice with his brother, Dr. James Yashar, and simultaneously worked and assumed leadership roles at numerous hospitals in the state. His clinical work resulted in multiple peer-reviewed publications. He was also a clinical associate professor at Brown University Medical School, where he trained hundreds of physicians, and a member of The Society of Thoracic Surgery, the American College of Cardiology, the RI Medical Society, among other associations. 

Yashar was widely known for his love of medicine and compassion for others. He developed deep connections with his patients and their families.  He was known for his humor, ability to spin a wonderful tale, and his unwavering support for his colleagues. His success was based on hard work, dedication, and kindness, without any connections or inheritance to pave the way.

Above all else, he held family most dear. He was married to Audrey M. Yashar for 54 years and they lived with their five children in Pawtucket, Providence and Jamestown before retiring to Palm Beach Gardens. His family was continually at his side as he battled Parkinson’s during the final year of his life. 

He is predeceased by his wife, Audrey, and two sisters, Maliheh and Mahboobeh. He is survived by his brother, Dr. James Yashar, and his sister, Mahin Kayvanfar; his five children: Beverly, Susan, Gail, Deborah, and Stephen; his three in-law children: John Mesberg, Christopher Smith, and Heike Yashar; eight grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.