Dr. Louis Pierucci, Jr.

Dr. Louis Pierucci, Jr. of Ponte Vedra, Fla., formerly of Altavista, Va., a noted cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, at home surrounded by his loved ones. He was 96 years old. Dr. Pierucci was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, revered by family, friends and colleagues throughout his life. A devout Christian, he lived by the words of his Savior, "Thy will be done," a Bible verse he quoted often. He will be remembered for his devotion to family and friends, his sharp wit and humor, his wisdom, generosity, and kindness to all who knew him. Dr. Pierucci was born in Philadelphia to parents Louis Sr. and Eleanor. He married Dona Miller in 1953. Their love, he often said, was deep and steadfast. Mrs. Pierucci died in 2019 after 67 years of marriage. They had six children, 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife, Dr. Pierucci was pre-deceased by his son, Louis Pierucci III, and his brother, Donal Pierucci. In the 1950s, Dr. Pierucci was trained by Dr. John H. Gibbons, Jr., inventor of the heart-lung machine, and later joined Dr. Gibbons' practice. He performed pioneering, open-heart surgery and was the surgeon who retired the original heart-lung machine. Dr. Pierucci was the former Chief of Surgery at the Cooper Hospital University Medical Center, Camden, N.J., and former Director of Vascular Surgery and Surgical Services at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and College, Philadelphia. He also practiced at West Jersey Hospital (now Virtua-West Jersey Health Systems), Marlton, N.J. He served as Attending Surgeon at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Camden, N.J., and was an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Toward the end of his surgical career, Dr. Pierucci specialized in vascular surgery. He was listed as one of the best vascular surgeons in the region in the September 1991 edition of Philadelphia Magazine. He was a member of numerous medical societies, including the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, a Fellow with the American College of Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the Camden County Medical Society, the Philadelphia College of Physicians, the Society for Vascular Surgery, the New York Academy of Sciences, the Pennsylvania Association for Thoracic Surgery, among others. He is the author of numerous medical papers published in periodicals and books throughout his medical career. Dr. Pierucci was a U.S. Air Force veteran, serving as a Captain on the surgery team at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. An avid hunter, Dr. Pierucci retired in 1993 and moved to Altavista, where he and his wife owned a large farm, River's Bend Farm (now Valor Farm), which operated as an equestrian center. He also bred and raised racehorses, with several of his horses competing on the track. Previously, he owned a swine breeding farm in Bedford, Pa. In retirement, Dr. Pierucci was an active member of the Rotary Club of Altavista, serving as its president. He also served as an Adjunct Professor of human anatomy and physiology at Central Virginia Community College, Lynchburg, VA. Dr. Pierucci is survived by his children, Jill Bolakas and husband John, of Altavista, Va.; Patti Pierucci and husband Leonard Almond, of Forest, Va.; Jody Daniel of Jacksonville, Fla.; Beth Dikter and husband Harvey, of Ponte Vedra, Fla.; Peter Pierucci and wife Pati, of Willow Park, Texas; along with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Private services will be held in Altavista. He will be laid to rest at Green Hill Cemetery, Altavista, alongside his wife. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests making donations in honor of Lou Pierucci to the National Center for Healthy Veterans at P.O. Box 74, Altavista, VA 24517 (www.HealthyVeterans.org ). Finch & Finch Funeral and Cremation Service, Altavista, VA, is in charge of arrangements.

Dr. Louis Pierucci, Jr.

September 21, 1928 - December 20, 2024