Thomas Spagnolia, MD, 63, of Bismarck, died Monday morning, June 24, 2013, of a presumed heart attack. Services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, June 28, at Word of Faith Church, Bismarck, with Pastor Tim Davidson and Pastor Dom Vetter officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm Thursday, June 27, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a memorial prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Anyone whose life has been touched by Dr. Spagnolia is invited by his family to honor and celebrate the life of such a wonderful man. Born in Chicago in 1949 to Louis and Margaret Spagnolia, he wanted to become a neurosurgeon from the age of 12. Thomas spent his young adulthood in St. Louis, where he made lifelong friends. His surgical training took him to Galveston, Tx where he met D'Arcy, his wife of 26 years. He began his neurosurgical career in Kentucky and then continued in North Dakota. He was privileged to work at St. Alexius and then Medcenter One- Sanford for 17 years. Thomas was an intensely curious man with many interests. He auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera, as a tenor, but gave it up for medicine. He was an avid gun collector. He also collected cars and rode motorcycles. He loved to scuba dive and was an aspiring helicopter pilot. Thomas will be remembered for his graciousness, compassion, and dedication to his patients. He studied and mastered new neurosurgical techniques throughout his career. He was a loving husband and cherished by his children. He is survived by his wife, D'Arcy Honeycutt-Spagnolia, MD; his daughter, Alessandra; son, Christopher; and sister, Judy. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, and his infant son, Thomas. If you would like to donate in honor of Dr. Thomas Spagnolia, please make any donations to the American Diabetes Association. A tribute has been set up in his name.
