Noel L. Bansil

Noel Bansil, a beloved husband, father, brother and award-winning pediatrician from Hillsdale, NJ, passed away on July 9, 2021. Among family and friends, Noel was cherished for his constant devotion to his wife and their two daughters. The medical community, his patients and their families revered him as a caring pediatrician who dedicated himself to the children’s health and well-being.

He and his wife Joann met in college as members of UPSCA, a Catholic student organization at the renowned University of the Philippines. Nearly eight years later, he kept his promise to marry her soon after he graduated from medical school. They raised two daughters, Samantha and Andrea, both of whom Noel was most proud.

A hands-on parent, he made sure his girls were fed and he often cooked for them during their childhood years. When they became adults who lived away from home, he checked up on them often especially during storms and made sure they always had their favorite technological devices, among many ways to show his love. Knowing his self-worth as a family man, he gave this advice to his daughters: “Marry someone like me.”

Noel had many interests and hobbies, including history, music, gardening and photography. He enjoyed reading biographies of US presidents and making music playlists and sharing them. He loved baseball and movies about baseball and was a lifelong Dodgers fan. Noel had a quiet personality and chose his words carefully, but also knew when to deliver the occasional dry or witty remark or make a corny Dad joke. He was a self-described feminist who believed women have the power to change the world. He also advocated for marginalized communities and those in need.

In preparation for his dream of becoming a physician, Noel attended the University of The East College of Medicine in the Philippines after receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of the Philippines. He completed his residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center – Elmhurst Hospital Center in New York. He was Board Certified in Pediatrics and was a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Before joining Riverside Medical Group, Noel was a pediatrician and partner at Guthrie Clinic in Pennsylvania.

As a testament to the high quality of medical care he provided to his patients, Noel - Tong as he is lovingly nicknamed - received prestigious awards. Most recently, he was recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor.  Many patients saw him since they were babies and visited with him before they headed off to college. This gave him great satisfaction as a pediatrician.

His work philosophy was to communicate with patients and parents in a direct manner and convey his thoughts in a clear and simple way, making sure everyone could understand. “Being sincere and showing sympathy to the patient’s plight has always been my credo ever since I started my career,” he said. “Honesty never fails to break down walls and eliminate barriers to a successful and lasting doctor-patient relationship.”

Noel is survived by Joann, Samantha and Andrea, sisters Rizalina Garcia and Perla Bansil, sisters- and brothers-in-law Karina and Antonio Cabrera, Clarissa and Tom Palma, Noel and Daisy Pangilinan, nieces, nephews, friends and many people at work and in the community whose lives he touched.

One of Noel’s favorite sayings is poignant today: “Memories are all we’ve got.” Noel has left many beautiful and wonderful memories of a life well-lived and a life well-loved.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests that those who want to honor Noel consider donating to causes that promote children's health such as UNICEF and Save the Children.