Dr. Alejandro Fransisco Vergara

VERGARA Dr. Alejandro Fransisco Vergara, 75, a prominent Jacksonville psychiatrist since the early 70s, passed away on September 23rd. Born August 24, 1934 in Havana, Cuba, Vergara was the only child of the late Dr. Alejandro Vergara Leonard, and Consuelo Canizares de Vergara. Vergara was a 1962 College of Medicine, University of Havana graduate. After leaving Cuba to escape the communist regime, he came to the U.S. while also earning his surgeon degree from the University of Madrid College of Medicine in 1964. After completing a residency at the University of Illinois in Anesthesiology, Vergara completed his psychiatric residency at the University of Florida's Shands Teaching Hospital in 1972. He also remained a clinical assistant professor at the UF College of Medicine from 1972-2002. Following his time in Gainesville, Vergara served as staff psychiatrist at the Mental Health Center of Jacksonville (1972-76), before being named its Medical Director (1976-81). He later served as Psychiatry, Medical Director of St. Vincent's (1981-82). In addition to running his private practice, Vergara served at several local hospitals including the Memorial, Baptist, CPC St. John's River Hospital and the Mental Health Resource center as a visiting physician. He was an active member of several professional society groups and was active in multiple leadership committee roles during that time. In 1988, he was named physician of the year by the CPC St. John's River Hospital. Since 1985, Vergara had also served as a medical consultant for the Office of Disability Determination serving this constituency with great pride for nearly 25 years. Dr. Vergara is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Maria Antonia Vergara. He is also survived by his children Maria Antonieta Vergara, and Alexander Vergara, and well as his daughter-in-law Lucia Cruz and his grandchildren Alexie and Marina. A Memorial Mass will be held at Prince of Prince Catholic Church on Thursday, October 1st at 10:00 a.m. A private/family ceremony will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 6320 Bennett Road, Jacksonville, FL 32216, or the Community Hospice Foundation, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32257. OAKLAWN CEMETERY & FUNERAL HOME, 4801 San Jose Blvd. is serving the family. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com