Louis Frederick Anastasia passed away while in the care of his loving family at their home on August 4th, 2024. He was born in Newark New Jersey on October 7th, 1935, the first child of Louis and Mildred Anastasia. Although named after his father, they always called him "Sonny". Bright and mischievous, he loved the outdoors and at very early age he was drawn to fishing, which became a life-long hobby, and if you saw his garage, perhaps an obsession

In his youth, his family would take frequent trips to the Jersey shore during the golden age of Asbury Park. With no interest in organized sports, after school he worked at a meat market which gave him some money in his pocket. He was placed in a College Preparatory Program and graduated from Barringer High school at 16. fully aware that he was the shortest in his class.

He began Georgetown University the following fall where he was drawn towards science and biology. Graduating in 1956, he went onto Georgetown Medical School, which he completed in 1961. Upon graduating, he applied to Boston City Hospital and was accepted to the Boston University Surgical Service. While in the midst of his four year surgical residency Lou was drafted into the Navy where he served as Battalion Surgeon working with the Marines, and traveled twice to the Caribbean and once to the Mediterranean during 1962 and 1963.

When he returned to Boston, he met the love of his life, Diane Doherty and the two would marry in 1965. To further his education in medicine, Lou applied to a residency program at the University of Michigan. He assisted on the first heart transplant that the University performed.

After returning from Michigan he continued to practice at Boston City hospital where he performed one of the first open heart surgeries on a day-old infant in the city.

After moving to Worcester, MA, he began private practice as a thoracic surgeon at St Vincent's Hospital, Worcester, MA from 1974-1987 partnered with Gerald Carrol. While continuing to practice, he began teaching as an Assistant Professor Of Thoracic Surgery at The University Of Massachusetts Medical Center. Finally, he was appointed Chief of Medical Staff at St. Vincent's hospital from 1996-1998.

After a fulfilling career, Lou retired in Falmouth, MA in 1998, where he perfected his skills as a striped bass fisherman and played golf at the Woods Hole Golf Club where he'd eventually become Chairman of the Membership Committee. During the winter months he developed an interest in painting after taking classes at the Falmouth Art Center.

Lou will be lovingly remember and missed by his wife of 59 years, Diane Anastasia, his son Michael Anastasia and his wife Marissa, and his siblings Joyce Urbanski of Holmdel, N.J., Judith Anastasia of British Columbia, Vancouver and June Gentilcore of Bethesda, Maryland. Lou is predeceased by his two brothers Gary and Wayne Anastasia of New Jersey.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Elizabeth Seton in Falmouth on Monday, August 19, 2024, at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Falmouth Service Center.