Steven Oristian M.D.

AUBURN - Steven Oristian M.D., 82, a retired surgeon, died Nov. 22, 2005, at home on his beloved Owasco Lake in Auburn. He had cancer.

Dr. Oristian attended Seymour Street School and East High in Auburn before attending Mt. St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Md.

His undergraduate studies were interrupted by World War II, where he served in the Pacific with the Navy as an ensign and team leader for the elite Scouts and Raiders, a precursor to the modern-day Navy Seals. Dr. Oristian returned to Mt. St. Mary's to finish his degree and went on to attend Georgetown University Medical School in Washington, D.C., where he graduated with honors. He completed his residency in general surgery at Providence Hospital in Washington.

In 1949, he married the former Marjorie Rossi of Auburn, and moved to Maryland where he was in private practice until his retirement in 1989. During his career, he served terms as chairman of the Department of General Surgery and president of the medical staff at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Md. After retirement, he moved back to his hometown of Auburn, where he was active in the Cayuga County Museum of History and Art, serving as a member of the board. His involvement in fund-raising and administration continued until his death.

Dr. Oristian was an accomplished golfer, having won 10 club championships at five different clubs, as well as the Cayuga County District Senior Amateur title. An avid outdoorsman, he was an active member of Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and the Owasco Lake Watershed Association. He also was an avid wildlife carver and his work was displayed at the New York State Fair. Dr. Oristian was truly a remarkable man whose principals and character influenced all who knew him. He loved and enjoyed life to the fullest, had an insatiable appetite for learning, and achieved excellence in all that he did. His favorite saying was:

Thoughts and dreams,

Work and living,

Go for naught,

Without love and giving.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marjorie "Babe" Oristian of Auburn; five sons, Steven of Gaithersburg, Md., Eric of Rockville, Md., Mark of Throop, Karl of Gainesville, Va. and Peter of Rockville, Md.; 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Dr. Oristian was predeceased by a son, Paul, in 1963.

Friends are invited to join the family for his Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, in St. Francis of Assisi Church, with the Rev. Peter DeBellis officiating. Burial will be in the family plot in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, Md. There are no calling hours.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to either Hospice of the Finger Lakes, 1130 Corporate Drive, Auburn, NY 13021; or The Cayuga Museum of History and Art, 203 Genesee St., Auburn, NY 13021.