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BORN
1955
DIED
2017
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Francesco Turturro Obituary
1955-2017
Dr. Francesco Turturro, 61, of Houston, Texas, Professor in the Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma at MD Anderson Cancer Center, died Tuesday, May 2, 2017. He was born on September 16, 1955, in Giovinazzo, Italy, to Giuseppe and Rita (Goffredo) Turturro. He married his high school sweetheart, Antonella Franchini of Bari, Italy, in 1983. A passionate learner, Dr. Turturro was a respected colleague, mentor and physician, and treated thousands of patients throughout his career. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, a lover of good food and wine, jazz music and travel.
Dr. Turturro was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Antonella; his son and daughter and their spouses, Walter and Kelly Turturro, Valeria and Jonathan Klamm; his beloved grandson, Luca Francesco Turturro; and his brother, Domenico Turturro.
Dr. Turturro's family gives a special thank you to the medical team, especially Dr. Varadhachary and Dr. Koay, and the patient affairs team, especially Cynthia Coffman, at MD Anderson Cancer Center. They also thank his team of nurses and physician assistants who made his job easier as he received treatment.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock in the evening on Friday, May 5, 2017, at Bradshaw-Carter Memorial & Funeral Services, 1734 West Alabama Street in Houston, where the rosary for Francesco will begin at seven o'clock.
The funeral mass will begin at nine o'clock in the morning on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer Road in Houston.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486, or online at www.mdanderson.org/gifts. Please include that the gift is in memory of Dr. Francesco Turturro.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Francesco Turturro
Sponsored by Bradshaw-Carter Memorial & Funeral Services.
Jo Ann Weatherwax
April 28, 2023
This reminder to celebrate Dr. Turturro came at the most perfect time. You see, we have just left MDA after a check up. A story which began 13 years ago . God was instrumental in leading us to Dr. Turturro who was 1000 miles away from our home. Doctor, you blessed us in so many ways with your skills, encouragement and hope. We still honor you.
Jo Ann/Jim Weatherwax
April 28, 2021
We continue to thank MDA for blessing us with Dr. Turturro on that very scary first visit. He treated us like we were one of his children. And he would be so very very happy with how we are doing and that his promise for a “healthier day” is still holding fast 9 years later. We miss you Dr. Turturro and we continue to remember what a special person and fantastic doctor you are.
Gabriella Turturro
May 2, 2019
A thought full of love... ❤
Miss you
Theresa Seagroves
September 14, 2018
Sending sincere condolences to the family of Dr. Turturro. Dr. Turturro treated my daughter for Hodgekins-Lymphoma in 2012 in her freshman year in College. I was petrified when my daughter was admitted to MDA. Dr. Turturro and his team treated my daughter and our family very wonderful and gave us Hope. He told me, "I will cure your daughter and she will live a successful healthy life". I believed in him and what he told me. My daughter finished College, got married and gave birth to a beautiful healthy son in July 2018. Upon returning to MDA for a final scan for her 5th year, ( she missed 2017 due to pregnancy)we`ve had a few issues with them, so this is what lead me to search the internet to find Dr. Turturro. So I found this Obituary and I`m in SHOCK! This brilliant Dr. saved my daughters life and we have ALWAY`S cared for Dr. Turturro very much! If the family is reading this, I know you all know what a Wonderful person he was. He was always kind and carrying to my daughter and our family. I know he will be greatly missed by all that knew him. Rest In Peace Dr. Turturro. Sincerely, Theresa Seagroves
Mari R.
July 22, 2017
Dr.Turturro is in Heaven receiving many crowns= God's is saying to him my dear Francesco good faithfully servant of God you cared and had a lot compassion for my children. God used Dr. Francesco hands to heal and touch thousands of cancer patients at the myeloma center. I pray that God's Spirit supernaturally help the family to endure this loss. May God fill your hearts with God's love. Shalom. Mari. Myeloma-Patient of MD. Anderson. May God continue blessing his family. Psalm 23.
Mari R.
July 22, 2017
Dr.Turturro is in Heaven receiving many crowns= God's is saying to him my dear Francesco good faithfully servant of God you cared and had a lot compassion for my children. God used Dr. Francesco hands to heal and touch thousands of cancer patients at the myeloma center. I pray that God's Spirit supernaturally help the family to endure this loss. May God fill your hearts with God's love. Shalom. Mari. Myeloma-Patient of MD. Anderson. May God continue blessing his family. Psalm 23.
John Higgins
July 16, 2017
He touched my life deeply for the past five years at MDA. I am a physician and have seen patients with cancer all my career. It is suddenly so different when you have the cancer. His empathy, enthusiasm and skill kept me going. I am still cancer free. He was such a wonderful person! I will always remember him in my prayers.
Eddie and Ann Burns
May 8, 2017
Words cannot describe my appreciation for Dr. Turturro and his care for me and my family in what was a very low point in my life. He offered me hope, and the opportunity to better my odds at surviving. I am so indebted to him and his staff for their attention to my, and my family's, needs. Thankfully I am now a cancer survivor - due to his work as well as others who "fight to make cancer history". Rest In Peace Dr. Turturro, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we celebrate You!
Peggy Calhoun
May 8, 2017
I met Dr. Turturro on the darkest day of my life. He said that they had one slot left in the trial and I qualified. Six months later I was in remission. I showed no reaction. He said to me, "Please go celebrate". Today I celebrate his life as I know what profound effect he had on many patients. You will be missed dear doctor. Rest well but I think you will be working overtime to help all of us.
Tom and Pat Sturdevant
May 6, 2017
Dr. Turturro guided my wife and me through a very challenging time with kindness, expertise, and success. We named our new puppy after Dr. Turturro and the great hospital where he worked. He posted pictures of "Ande" (Anderson Francesco) in his office. He said his wife told him that this was the first time someone named their dog after him! We pray that God's love surrounds his family and sustains them in the days ahead.
Jorge and Martha Romaguera
May 5, 2017
Dear Antonella, Valeria, Walter, Kelly and Jonathan. We had the big pleasure and honor to know Francesco. He was a gentleman and a top notch physician scientist. He will be missed dearly. We will be praying for you all, so God gives you the strength to bear his loss.
May the Lord be with you always.
Susan Gaeta
May 5, 2017
Dear Turturro Family,
My deepest condolences, not only was it my privilege to work with Francesco as a colleague but also had the opportunity to get know him as individual. He was always very caring and friendly, both at the hospital as well as in public.
Gabriella Turturro
May 5, 2017
I still can't believe it happened to you. You were so incredibly strong, completely devoted to your family, your friends and your profession. You loved them as much as you loved life.
Despite the Ocean that divides us, I have always felt so close to you. I remember as yesterday my Christmas Holidays spent with you at granparents house in Giovinazzo. We were all so happy and enthusiastic!
Your smile and your memory will be fixed in my mind and in my heart forever.
It is really very hard for me to say goodbye to you because you were not only my dear sweet american uncle...you were litterally a perfect man.
Goodbye Zio Francesco,
I love you and miss you so much.
Your niece Gabri
The Mantle Cell Team
May 5, 2017
Dear Turturro Family,
The Mantle Cell Team would like to express their condolences to you all. It has been a true honor to work with such a kind hearted man whom was, is, and will continued to be cherished by many. May you find the guidance in the upcoming days to keep you strong and enjoy all the memories you shared. He will never be forgotten.
Eugene Koay
May 5, 2017
I was very sad to hear that Dr. Turturro passed. He was incredibly dedicated to his family, friends, and patients. He made a tremendous impact on so many people. He will be missed dearly.
Daniele Spitaletta
May 5, 2017
I miss you more than I can explain. I started to meet you too late, but I remember everything about you, your smile, your passion, selflessness. I remember when you came here, in Italy, in Siena... or Pistoia... I'm speechless.
THANKS from the bottom of my heart,Francesco. Hopefully I'll see you in the near future. We would have a better chance of speaking about Jazz, Pizza and Red Wine with chocolate, as you know.
Thanks again, see you soon, I wish you well.
Patricia Clark
May 4, 2017
Dr. Turturro was a sweetheart and a man of enormous courage. I will miss his tweets, his warm smile, and his brilliance. He guided me through my experience with stage four lymphoma, and I shall miss him. May God hold all of us close, especially his family, as we grieve his passing.
Jim and Jo Ann Weatherwax
May 4, 2017
My family is greatly saddened by this news. Dr. Tuturro was not only a gifted doctor, he was so very kind. We along with other owe him so much. May God keep and protect his family and bring peace and comfort knowing the world is a better place because of your loved one.
Susan MacDowell
May 4, 2017
I found out I had lymphoma in July, 2015 and my SC doc said he had never seen mine before...so I deceived to go to the best...Dr. Turturro and what a gentleman he was. I am blessed to have met him and my sincere condolences to his family.
Lymphoma Department
May 4, 2017
Oh my, another angel has been taken. Your gentle kindness and demeanor will always be remembered. You are a leader and your knowledge will continue to be shared with others. Professionalism at its best! Take care of my mom whom you have now joined.
We will continue to do our part to find a cure for this monster of a disease. I know your guiding eyes will forever continue to be a part of our team.
Until we meet again, bless you dear professor.
Sharon Brougher
May 4, 2017
Thanks Dr. Turturro for helping me and thousands of others in our fight against cancer. I am so grateful to you. I pray for comfort and strength for your family and friends.
Toni Hutto
May 4, 2017
Thanks Dr. Turturro for being an awesome and kind gentleman. You were a true warrior. Your presence will be greatly missed. May God bless and keep your family!
Michael Perkins
May 3, 2017
Dr. Turturro saved my health and gave me more years with my family. I will pray for his soul and thank God for bringing him into my life.
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