Dennis F. Pupello MD's Obituary
PUPELLO, MD, Dennis Frank passed away while surrounded by family October 25, 2018. Born May 31, 1939 in Tampa, FL, he is preceded in death by his mother, Grace and father, Frank. He is survived by wife, Lisa; sons, Dennis (Kelley), Frank, Brad (Emilia), Derek (Kalisha); daughters, Angela, Ariel (Chris Burke), Alana, and Alexa; grandchildren, Kelden, Dylan, Rocco, Mariella, Francesca, Carmen, and Milana; sisters, Sandy and Linda. Dennis was a pioneer in cardiovascular surgery, serving on the team for the first heart transplant in Tampa. He was one of the founding members of the cardiac surgery staff at Tampa General hospital. In 1983, he founded St. Joseph’s Heart Institute and performed over 25,000 surgeries until he retired in 2005. He published numerous articles and received too many awards to list but among them a lifetime achievement award from the Florida Society of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgeons, America’s Top Surgeons, and was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the surgeon for the oldest living heart valve recipient. He was a founding member of The Fabulous Rockers, a Tampa based band with thousands of loyal fans. In addition to being a world-renowned surgeon, he was a brilliant musician, a master diver, an experienced fisherman, and a boat captain. He was a true renaissance man, a jack-of-all trades and master of many. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Tampa General Hospital Emergency and CCU departments for showing great compassion and care like he did with his patients. The Family will receive friends, Tuesday, October 30, 2018 from 11 am to 1 pm, with a Memorial Service, 12 pm, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 5225 N. Himes Avenue. In lieu of Flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association or Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Boza and Roel Funeral Home
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