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Dr. Leo Anthony "Tony" Speno
Kiawah Island - Dr. Leo Anthony "Tony" Speno, 86, died December 27, 2017, after a short illness. Tony was born August 17, 1931, to Dr. Leo Hehir and Isabelle Mooney Speno of Cleveland, Ohio. The family moved to Ithaca, New York, in 1937. Tony graduated from the Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut, in 1949. He earned Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in geology at the University of Colorado, then earned a Doctor of Medicine from the same school. He interned at Maine Medical (Tufts University) in Portland, Maine. He did his pediatric residency at Rhode Island Hospital (Providence) and Children's Hospital (Boston, Massachusetts). He returned to Ithaca where he co-founded Buttermilk Falls Pediatrics and practiced there for twenty-seven years.
Tony is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Sandra Patrick Speno; three sons: Christopher John Speno of Havre de Grace, MD, Andrew Patrick and his wife, Sue Metcalfe Speno of Cincinnati, OH, and Eric Lee and his wife Delphine de Ruffi de Pontevès of Madrid, Spain; four grandchildren: Erin Auld and Benjamin Anthony Speno of Cincinnati, and Maximiliano and Lucía Isabelle of Madrid. He is survived by three sisters: Miriam Isabelle Brown of Naples, Florida, Anne Devlin Landwehr of Winnetka, Illinois, and Carol Trader of Los Angeles, California. He is predeceased by his brother: Frank C. Speno formerly of Savannah, Georgia.
Tony was a member of Governor's Club on Kiawah Island and Holy Spirit Catholic Church on John's Island. He was a long-time volunteer to the Sisters of Mercy and Sea Island Habitat for Humanity, both on John's Island. He was a past member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Tony loved wildlife. He could be seen taking his daily nature walks on Kiawah right up to his final illness. He was an avid traveler, endlessly interested in the world's geography, cultures, languages, and, above all, people.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m, Friday, January 26, at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 3871 Betsy Kerrison Pkwy, Johns Island. Reception to celebrate his life will follow at the Osprey Club House, 700 Governor's Drive, Kiawah Island. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by The Ithaca Journal.
Tony Speno was a great man. He was my pediatrician and my neighbor. I have the fondest memories of playing football and wiffle ball with Chris, Andy, and Eric on his huge front lawn. Over the years, he even made a few house calls in an era where that no longer happened. Whether going to his office or his house, it was always good to see his face. RIP Dr. Speno, you will be missed. To Chris, Andy, Eric, and Mrs. Speno, I am sorry for your loss.
John Ammons
February 6, 2018
Sandy and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I worked at Buttermilk Falls Pediatrics from the beginning and enjoyed every minute. Tony and Sandy treated the employees like family and our children like there own. He will me missed and never forgotten.
Doran Diedrickson
January 31, 2018
Dear Mrs. Speno and family,
I was sad when I read about Dr. Speno's passing. He cared for my children at Buttermilk Falls Pediatrics in Ithaca until he retired from that practice.
What set Dr. Speno apart from other doctors was that he truly cared about his patients. Being a doctor was not just a business for him. His heart, mind and soul cared for his patients. He made the children he cared for, as well as their parents, feel like more than a number on a chart. Visits with Dr. Speno were personal.
I can't imagine the number of lives Dr. Speno touched in his life but I feel certain that when he arrived in heaven he heard the words, Well done, good and faithful servant. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Barbara Masser
Barbara Masser
January 29, 2018
With sympathy and much love to all Tony's family. We are so sorry we are not able to be with you, but will be thinking of the wonderful memories we have of Tony, especially at Christmas when he wrote the most fun, clever and imaginative notes and poems to accompany his gifts. We can't imagine a better pediatrician or a nicer, more wonderful father-in-law for our daughter Sue. With special thoughts and prayers for Sandy,and for Andy, Chris and Eric,
from Bill and Liz Metcalfe
Bill and Elizabeth Metcalfe
January 24, 2018
Heaven has truly gained an angel. Dr. Speno was the kindest andmost compassionate man that I have ever met. I had the pleasure of working for him and Sandy at Buttermilk Falls Pediatrics many years ago in which I hold very fond memories. He was a fantastic pediatrician who knew how to find his way to a child's heart with his funny, gentle, and playful demeanor.
Sandy and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. May you find peace and comfort in all of the wonderful memories that you hold in your heart of this very special man, husband, father, grandfather and friend to all.
Lisa Raponi-Davis
January 24, 2018
So sorry to hear of Tony,s passing.He was a wonderful doctor and personMy heart goes out to Sandy and the boys. God bless, Molly and Angelo Di Giacomo
January 22, 2018
Molly DiGiacomo
January 22, 2018
Dr. Speno was my kid's peditrician for 18 years and they both loved him dearly. I am so sad to see that he has passed away. My thoughts go out to his wife and children. Jylanda Diles
Jylanda Diles
January 22, 2018
Chris, Andy, and family- Saddened to hear this news today. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Your dad was a special man.
Karen (Shull) Cole
January 20, 2018
Dr. Speno was the doctor for both of my children, even though they were 11 years apart in age. Dr. Speno was such a loving, caring man and neither one of my children were never afraid to go to him. When my son was in 2nd grade in Newfield, he had a teacher that was constantly ridiculing him in front of his classmates. Finally they set me up with the school physiologist who claimed he was hyperactive and needed to be put on meds! I told her she was way off base and NO to meds and I would contact his Dr. Dr Speno said it sounded like a teacher/student problem and he would contact the school to have him placed with another teacher. Done and never any more school problems !!!! God Bless this man and may he RIP.
1
Shirley Baker
January 20, 2018
Chris and Andy -
My thoughts are with you and your entire family during this difficult time. May your memories of your Dad comfort and heal you.
Beth Stamas Hardesty
January 20, 2018
Dr. Speno was my pediatrician as a young child. I remember my mother taking me to his grey office across from the Reconstruction Home in Ithaca for odd things such as road tar in my ear & concussions almost daily from jumping off the stairs in our house. I remember him telling me little girls do not do these types of things I was doing and to play with baby dolls and not do things I shouldn't be doing. I agreed and got a lollipop after the tar removal which hurt! I remember the tender care & touch after shots in the new offices across from Buttermilk Falls. And I remember when he retired. He truly performed the work of the Lord. Sending our Condolences & Love. Thank you Dr. Speno for caring & touching so many lives especially mine.
Kelenda Bellavigna
January 20, 2018
Dr. Speno was my children's pediatrician through their childhood. A very kind, patient, caring man and most of all he had heart. Condolences to his family.
Diane Aramini
January 20, 2018
Dr. Speno was my pediatrician, and my oldest daughter's pediatrician. A fantastic doctor and a kind and caring man! My heartfelt condolences to his family. I am very sorry for your loss.
Jody A
January 19, 2018
Dr. Speno was such a kind and gentle person, who cared for so many Ithaca children. I can't even imagine how many of us were consoled, healed and bandaged up by Dr. Speno while we were growing up. I am very grateful to have known him both as a doctor and a neighbor and will remember him always. My condolences to all the Speno Family.
-Carol Hedrick Altomare
Carol Altomare
January 19, 2018
I have always thought of him as a very loving and caring man. His dedication and care of a particular infant that I knew; is what made me want him for my children He was wonderful. My deepest sympathies for your lass.
Jeanette Knuutila
January 13, 2018
Carolyn Crosby (Sheehan)
January 12, 2018
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