Salvatore Cataldo De Pasquale, M.D., died peacefully on Wednesday, November 9, 2016. A general surgeon whose practice spanned for fifty years, Dr. De Pasquale was a longstanding Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a former director of the Pennsylvania Medical Society and both a former director of the Medical Staff and a former Chief of Surgery at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. A graduate of Pittston High School, Dr. De Pasquale was awarded his Bachelor of Science in chemistry in 1959 from Dickinson College in Carlisle before receiving his Medical Degree in 1963 from the Thomas Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia. He completed his residency at the Pennsylvania Hospital. Prior to entering private practice, Dr. De Pasquale served as a Lieutenant/Physician in the United States Navy. He was honorably discharged in 1972.
Born in Pittston on April 24, 1938 and known as Sam, Dr. De Pasquale was the son of the late Giacomo and Carrie (née Augello) De Pasquale.
Dr. De Pasquale’s life’s passions were always, first and foremost, his dedication to his patients, advances in his field and the achievement of universal healthcare for all Americans. A former member of the Westmoreland Club, Dr. De Pasquale was enthusiastic about international cuisine and a talented cook in his own right. His other great passions included playing the clarinet and music appreciation.
His wife, Catherine Constance Curtin De Pasquale, predeceased him. Dr. De Pasquale was also preceded in death by his sisters Angeline De Pasquale, Dolores Melore, Josephine Sciandra and his brothers Guy and Joseph.
Surviving are his daughters Carrie Tolentino and her husband Thomas, New York, and Constance Catherine Mihalick, Esq. and her husband Gerard, Shavertown; his sons Justin and his wife Catherine, Wilkes-Barre, and David; his grandchildren Margaret Mihalick, Claire Tolentino and Thomas Tolentino; his sisters Justine De Pasquale and Theresa McNamara and her husband Thomas; his sister-in-law Jean De Pasquale; his brother-in-law Charles Sciandra; his uncle Michael Augello; cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to extend its special thanks and gratitude to Sam’s dedicated and compassionate caregivers, Dr. Charles Manganiello, Patricia French, Megan Pagliughi and his nurses at Erwine Home Health and Hospice, as well as to his extended family, devoted friends and cherished colleagues for their visits during his brief illness.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 14, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. in Saint Ignatius Church, 339 N. Maple Avenue, Kingston. Those attending are asked to go directly to the church on Monday morning. Interment will follow in Denison Cemetery, Swoyersville. Family, friends, colleagues and patients may call at the Peter J. Adonizio Funeral Home, 251 William Street, Pittston, on Sunday, November 13, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Online condolences may be offered at www.peterjadoniziofuneralhome.com. Memorial donations may be given to Volunteers in Medicine, 190 Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.