Richard Sartini

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. - Dr. Richard (Rick) Sartini, 63, of Palm Springs, Calif., died on Friday, Feb. 19, 2010, in Salt Lake City, Utah, of a lung infection.

He was born in Meriden on June 23, 1946, to Mr. and Mrs. Silvio J. Sartini, and was a graduate of Maloney High School (1960-64), Holy Cross College (1964-68), and Tufts University Medical School (1968-72). He did his medical internship and two years of medical residency at the University of Cincinnati (1972-75) and his pulmonary fellowship at the University of California at Irvine (1978-80) after moving to California and practicing internal medicine in San Jose from 1976-78.

Dr. Sartini was board certified in both internal medicine and pulmonary medicine and was a member of the American College of Physicians, the Orange County Medical Association, the California Medical Association, and the AMA. He started a pulmonary practice in 1980, covering four hospitals in South Orange County, Calif., including San Clemente Hospital, where he was director of the respiratory department.

After leaving practice because of illness, Dr. Sartini traveled extensively visiting many countries all around the globe but especially his favorites, Italy and France. He maintained a keen interest in foreign languages particularly Italian and French. He also enjoyed preventative medicine and physical fitness and had a passion for skiing the U.S., Canada, and Europe with members of ski clubs he belonged to in Southern California. He was an active member of Gamma Mu, SAGA LA, SAGA San Diego and the Palm Springs French Club.

Dr. Sartini never missed an opportunity to express his love and devotion to his family and friends. He is sur-vived by his mother, Mrs. Lena (Sartini) Kuzmak, of Middletown; a brother, Atty. Thomas L. Sartini and his wife, Marlene, of Ashtabula, Ohio; a sister, Marybeth Wishart and her husband, Craig, of Middletown; two nephews, Ryan Wishart, of Middletown, and Anthony Sartini and his wife, Tracey, of Ocoee, Fla.; three nieces, Alyssa Ursini and her husband, Dante, of Higganum, Susan Fox and her husband, David, of Alexandria, Va., and Lau-ra Jane Sartini, of Ashtabula, Ohio. He is also survived by two grandnieces, Allison Sartini, of Ocoee, Fla., and Ava Sartini, of Ashtabula, Ohio; and a grandnephew, Anthony Sartini, Jr., of Ocoee, Fla. In addition, he is sur-vived by a stepbrother, Jack Kuzmak and his wife, Pat, of Cheshire, and their family, George and Cheryl Carr, of Burlington, Don and Karen Roche, of Haddam, and Thomas Kuzmak, of Shelby Township, Mich.; a stepsis-ter, Gail Kroeber and her husband, Don, of Meriden, and their family, Pamela Kroeber and Jennifer Rosado, of Meriden; his devoted friend of more than 30 years, Judy Duersch, her husband, Nolan, as well as numerous friends in southern California. He is preceded in death by his father, Silvio J. Sartini (1967); a stepfather, John Kuzmak (2007); and two nephews, Thomas L. Sartini, Jr. (1994), and James Joseph Sartini (2009).

The funeral will be held on Tuesday, March 2, at 10 a.m., at St. Rose of Lima Church, 35 Center St., Meri-den, for a Mass of Christian burial. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, 250 Gypsy Lane, Meriden. There will be no calling hours. The John J. Ferry Funeral Home, 88 E. Main St., Meriden, is in charge of ar-rangements. A celebration of his life will take place in Palm Spring, Calif., at a time to be determined. Donations may be made to the "Make a Wish Foundation," P.O. 749596, Los Angeles, Calif., 90074.

The family of Richard Sartini is eternally grateful to Judy and Nolan Duersch. "Judy, your care and concern for Rick during these months, comforted and strengthened him. You are a wonderful nurse. Rick was truly blessed to have you in his life." www.jferryfh.com.