Francis A. D'Ambrosio Sr.

D'AMBROSIO, Rev. Dr. Francis A., Sr. At 89 years of age, passed away January 11, 2010, after a lingering illness, surrounded by his loving family. Survived by his beloved wife Jennie (DeLuca) with whom he shared over 66 years of marraing. Loving father of Rosemary and her husband Gianfranco Verri of Sudbury, SantaJean and her husband Philip DeSantis of Sudbury, Ninia Forde and her late husband Bruce of Quincy, Joseph and his wife Gail D'Ambrosio of Groton formerly of Acton, Dr. Francis and his wife Rosanne D'Ambrosio Jr. of Concord, Anthony and his wife Pamela D'Ambrosio of Concord, Anne D'Ambrosio of Maynard, Dolores and her husband Frank Granato of Concord and Dr. Paul and his wife Maria (Fredele) D'Ambrosio of Concord. Loving son of the late Gennaro (Joe) and Rose (Nuzzo) D'Ambrosio. Also survived by 31 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. Loving brother of the late Emma Sarno and Charles Nuzzo. Dr. D'Ambrosio was born in the North End of Boston, October 19, 1920 and moved to Concord, MA in 1952. He was the first ophthalmologist in Concord, MA. He was on the staff at Emerson Hospital, Concord, MA, the Leominster Hospital, Leominster, MA, the Burbank Hospital of Fitchburg, MA and the Henry Hayward Hospital in Gardner, MA. He was a practicing ophthamologist with offices starting in Boston and moving his practice to Concord and Leominster. He was in practice for over sixty years, retiring on January 1, 2009. During this time he was also a consultant to the US Army at Ft. Devens, a consultant to the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind for 58 years, a chaplain to the Massachusetts State Police. He was a member of the 3rd Order of St. Francis. He belonged to the Lions Club, a third degree of the Knights of Columbus, Onsonia Council in the North End #1513. He was ordained a Roman Catholic Deacon at the Cathedral of The Holy Cross in May 1977, the second graduating archdiocesan class. He received the Tufts Distinguished Service Award in 1991. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1945-1948 achieving the rank of captain in the Medical Corp. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal. Dr. D'Ambrosio attended Michaelangelo School in the North End. He graduated from Boston English High School and Boston College. He was a graduate of Tufts Medical School and the Harvard Graduate School of Ophthalmology. He was a deacon ministering at St. Bernard/Holy Family Parish in Concord for 32 years. He had the honor of celebrating Mass at the Vatican with Pope John Paul II in 1983. He was a member of St. Lukes Guild and served as Deacon to the Cardinal of Boston at the annual St. Luke's White Mass. Dr. D'Ambrosio was an avid skier for over 40 years with homes in North Conway, NH & Vail, CO. He officiated the Weddings, Baptisms, First Communions for many family members, friends, and parishioners including his own children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Whether you called him Frank, Doc, Dad, Nonno or Deacon, he answered the call. The friends he made over the years were lifetime friends. He was dedicated to ophthamology, the medical profession and those in his care. After God and his faith, his priority was family. Of all his accomplishments, his best, he would tell you is his family. He had a strong belief in the power and bond of family love and its immense importance in life. It sustained him. He had a strong intellect and unbounding energy. He spoke with influence, he laughed daily and loved deeply. He asked little, gave generously and lived the life he wanted. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral mass on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 10 a.m. at the St. Bernard's Church/Holy Family Parish, 12 Monument Square, Concord. In lieu of flowers contributions in Dr. D'Ambrosio's memory may be made to the D'Ambrosio Scholarship Fund, C/O Carrie Thomas, Tufts University School of Medicine, 130 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111 or the Damian Fund, 107 Caterina Heights, Concord, MA 01472 or the Sisters Disciples of the Devine Master, West St., Boston, MA. Interment will be at St. Bernard's Cemetery, Concord, MA. Visiting hours will be in the Holy Family Parish, Concord, on Fri., January 15, 2010 from 2-8 pm Cincotti Funeral Home Medford, MA 781-395-4638