Houston, Texas
1955 - 2017
Dr. Francesco Turturro
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.
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 Weatherwax
April 28, 2023 | Other
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.
Jo Ann/Jim Weatherwax
April 28, 2021 | Friend
A thought full of love... ❤
Miss you
Gabriella Turturro
May 02, 2019 | Florence (Italy) | Family
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...
Theresa Seagroves
September 14, 2018 | Texas City, TX
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 | Houston, TX
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 | Houston, TX
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.
John Higgins
July 16, 2017 | Eunice, LA | Friend
Remembered By
Tom Welbourne
May 21, 2017 | Shreveport, MA
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!
Eddie and Ann Burns
May 08, 2017 | Austin, TX
