Obituaries

Frank John D'Agostino, DDS, passed away at Riverview Hospital, Red Bank, New Jersey, on Thursday June 9, 2016.

Dr. D'Agostino was born in 1922 in New York City to Salvatore and Rose (Barcelona) D'Agostino. As a child, he moved with his family to Brooklyn where he later graduated from New Utrecht High School. He, like his violinist father, had a love of classical music, studied voice, and considered an operatic career. However, a stronger interest in the biomedical sciences and advice from the family dentist convinced him that a career in dentistry was his calling.

During his college years at New York University he first met his future wife of 71 years, Josephine Gioia. They were married on February 22, 1945.

Following military service in World War II, he attended dental school graduating with highest honors (OKU) from The University of Tennessee in Memphis. After residency in oral surgery, he remained for a time on the University faculty. He and Josephine moved back to Brooklyn in 1949 to be closer to family. He opened his dental office in the renovated first floor of his parents' house and practiced there for the next 41 years. He was beloved by his patients and cared for multiple generations within families, some of whom traveled back to Brooklyn for his care even after they moved far away. Generous of his time, once a week for decades, he provided free dental care to indigent patients at Northern Dispensary in Greenwich Village, where he also served as the head of the oral surgery department.

Following retirement, he devoted his time to being with his family, reading (especially politics and history), music, and travel. He is survived by his wife, Josephine, children, Richard (Mary), Gregory (Kana), and Rosemary (Bob), granddaughters, Alexandra (Patrick) and Jasmine. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Sylvestre, and sister Rose. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and we will forever miss his loving support, honesty, sense of humor, and sage advice.

Services will be private.