Rosario Vito Tomaselli

Rosario Vito Tomaselli, affectionately known as Tom, left us on February 5, 2025, at the age of 94. His heart was full of love for his family and friends, and his spirit was vibrant until the very end. Tom was the devoted husband of the late M. Frances (Carlstrom) Tomaselli, who passed away in 1992, and P. Betty (Martinelli) Tomaselli, who preceded him in 2013. He leaves behind his cherished fiancée Esther (Anastasia) Vescera of Warwick, RI.

Born August 3, 1930, Tom was the beloved son of Vito and Katherine (Murabito) Tomaselli and grew up in Lawrence, MA, with his sister Katherine (Tomaselli) Licciardello. A curious and bright student, Tom was high school valedictorian and graduated summa cum laude from Tufts University and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. His subsequent medical degree was also from Tufts, where he served as president of the pre-Medical Society and was an Olmstead Fellow. Before starting his medical practice, Tom served in the US Navy Reserves.

Tom married his college sweetheart, Fran, and together they built a life in Providence, RI, raising their three children with care and joy. He enjoyed an esteemed medical career, having been elected a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in 1970. He maintained a private practice for over 30 years and was a member of the Medical Staff Association at Rhode Island and Miriam Hospitals. His career was marked by his commitment to delivering the best possible care to his patients, a legacy he leaves behind with pride.

A lifelong learner, Tom was a voracious reader and a music enthusiast. He will be fondly remembered for his love of family road trips, woodworking, fishing in Narragansett Bay and Cape Cod waters, and the simple pleasures of sharing a bottle of wine, a fine meal, and a cigar with family and friends. His faith was a cornerstone of his life, and he was a devoted communicant of the Church of St. Sebastian (Providence, RI) and later St. Mary’s (Cranston, RI).

Tom is survived by his children, Dr. Kevin James Tomaselli (Marika) of Siesta Key, FL; Kathleen Tomaselli Large (Tom) of Concord, MA; and Karen Tomaselli Morry (Tom) of San Diego, CA. He also leaves behind two grandsons, Thomas Patrick Large of Denver, CO, and Adam Vito Tomaselli of Portland, OR, who will carry his love and legacy forward.

Services will be private, allowing family and friends to gather in quiet remembrance of the remarkable man who touched their lives.

 

Arrangements are under the care of Concord Funeral Home, Concord, MA. To share a memory or offer a condolence, visit: www.concordfuneral.com