Kazuyoshi "Kaz" Sato

FALMOUTH — Kazuyoshi Sato died at Falmouth Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, March 24, 2009, after suffering a stroke earlier in the day. He was 78.

Born in Shibata, Niigata-Ken, Japan, he graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine in 1958. He was an intern at the USAF Hospital in Tachikawa, Japan, 1958-59. After receiving a Fulbright Scholarship in 1959, he became an intern at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, N.Y., where he remained for his first residency in pathology, 1959-61. Next residencies were at the Free Hospital for Women, Boston, in pathology, 1961-62, and Children's Hospital, Boston, in pathology, 1962-63, and neuropathology, 1963-64.

Dr. Sato returned to Japan as a pathologist and research associate for the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission in Nagasaki, 1964-68. He returned to the U.S. for a pathology fellowship at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester, Minn., 1968-70. From 1970-72, he served as chief of pathology at the USPHS Hospital, Norfolk, Va. From 1972-97, he was the chief of pathology and director of labs at Falmouth Hospital.

He is predeceased by his wife, Ann Marie (Farrenkopf), and their son, Phillip. He leaves his longtime companion, Marcia Szent-Gyorgyi of Falmouth; three children, Sachiko of Newton, Miyoko of Milton and Michael of Easton; and seven grandchildren, Zachary, Olivia, Joshua, Sophie, Gunnar, Clara and Elinor.

Kaz will always be remembered for his quiet strength, abiding devotion and love for his family, and his dedication to the patients and his colleagues of Falmouth Hospital.

There will be a gathering followed by brief remarks by his family at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 475 Main St., Falmouth, on Tuesday, March 31, from 10 a.m. to noon. Interment will immediately follow at The Churchyard Cemetery, Woods Hole.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Falmouth Hospital, Falmouth, MA 02540.

For online guest book and directions, please visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com.