Dr. Angelo John Lorusso

1919 - 2018

Dr. Angelo John Lorusso, 99, formerly of Manchester, NH, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2018. He was born on January 1, 1919 in Walpole, Massachusetts, the third of five sons of the late Samuel and Eleanor (Rossi) Lorusso. Chello, as he was known to family and friends, was raised in Walpole. After graduating from Walpole High School as the class Salutatorian, he enrolled at Boston College. Before completing his studies, he enlisted in the army in August 1941 and served three tours of duty in the Pacific Ocean theater of WWII as a staff sergeant, stationed primarily in the Philippines and New Guinea as a medic. He was awarded several medals for his service including campaign medals and medals for valor. In the immediate aftermath of the war, he stayed in the Philippines and worked as a bacteriologist under the guidance of William Mayo Balfour, M.D. of the Mayo Clinic to prevent the spread of a developing epidemic. This work gave birth to what became his lifelong love of medicine. Through their collaboration, Dr. Balfour became his mentor and remained his lifelong friend. Angelo returned to BC to complete his studies and graduated in 1947 with a B.S. in Biology, summa cum laude. He studied pharmacology at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and took related courses at Harvard University to continue his education. In 1953, he was accepted by, and attended, the University of Florence School of Medicine in Florence, Italy. It was during his medical school years that he met the love of his life, Paola Sartoni, at a bocce tournament. He received his medical degree with high honors from the University of Florence in 1959 and returned to the United States to begin his training. He completed his residency at Carney Hospital in Roslindale, Massachusetts where he achieved the position of Chief Medical Resident. On June 7, 1962 he married Paola at the Piazza di Signorina, Italy and returned to Walpole to start a family. In 1968, he moved with his wife and then three children to Manchester, New Hampshire where he opened his medical practice. He welcomed a fourth child at the former Sacred Heart Hospital in Manchester where he was Chief of Staff and served on the Board of Trustees. Dr. Lorusso practiced medicine for over 40 years and quietly contributed to many charitable causes throughout his life. He provided medical services to many thousands of patients over the course of his career and maintained his medical license until his early 90's to do so. He was fluent in 5 languages, partially conversant in several others, and maintained his love of learning throughout his life. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Paola (Sartoni) Lorusso, his four children, Mark Lorusso of Portsmouth, NH, Cheryl Lorusso and her husband Jon Samaha, DMD of Bow, NH, Gary Lorusso of Manchester, NH, and Debbie Makris and her husband Kosta Makris of Pembroke, NH, 9 grandchildren - Brandon, Roman and Christian Lorusso, Ashton, Ryan and Cameron Sullivan, and Dylan, Sydney and Taylor Makris, his brother Joe Lorusso of Wrentham, his sister-in-law Donna Lorusso of Plainville. He was the brother of the late Tony, Guy and Paul Lorusso. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. The calling hours will be held at Ginley Funeral Home(www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) 892 Main Street, Walpole, MA. on Friday from 4 - 7pm. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, June 2nd in the Blessed Sacrament Church 10 Diamond Street Walpole, MA at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his favorite charity, the Salvation Army 121 Cedar Street, Manchester, NH 03101.