JEROME RAO

Jerome P. Rao, M.D. Jerry was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 6, 1947 to Joseph and Alice Rao. He grew up in Brooklyn, graduating from Xaverian High School. After graduating from NYU, he continued his lifelong ambition of being a surgeon and received his medical degree from the University of Rome, Italy. Jerry married Candy Smythe, from Washington State, in 1973. He did his internship in Brooklyn at Lutheran Medical Center and his Residency in Urology at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan. They and their two children, Joe and Angela, moved to Federal Way, Washington in 1982, where he began his practice as a Urologic Surgeon. The practice grew to include an office at Allenmore Medical Center in Tacoma. Jerry retired in 2012 and planned to garden and relax. Cancer was diagnosed in 2013 but Jerry lost his battle on July 3, 2014. Jerry's medical practice and his patients were so important to him and many patients became his friends. He was known for his funny stories about New York and Italy and his animated advice on many subjects. "Dr. Jerry" was also a friendly regular at various restaurants around town and will be missed by those patrons and his family. He is survived by his son, Joe Rao (Amy), of Issaquah, their two sons Benjamin and Jacob and their daughter due this July; his daughter, Angela Rao, of San Francisco; his brothers, Anthony Rao (Annita), of South Carolina, and Joseph Rao (Renee), of New Jersey; and numerous cousins back east and in Italy. A visitation wake will be held at Gaffney Funeral Home, Thursday, July 10, 2014 from 11:00am to 5:00pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 11, 2014 at 9:00am at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Tacoma, followed by a reception. Burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery, Federal Way. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.