Frank Oliver Avantaggio Jr. M.D. passed away on Feb. 8 in Damariscotta surrounded by his family.
Frank was born in Newton, Mass. in 1934. He was the son of Frank O. Avantaggio Sr. and Mary Sisto Avantaggio. In 1949 the family moved to Waldoboro. Frank was a graduate of the Kents Hill School, Wesleyan University, and Harvard Medical School.
A year was spent in Holland as a Fulbright scholar. His surgical residency was spent at the Maine Medical Center. Following two years in the Air Force, he returned to Damariscotta to practice medicine and surgery for the next 26 years. He was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Board Certified Surgeon.
Frank enjoyed skiing with his family and friends at Sugarloaf, building stone walls, and tending his many gardens. After retirement, Frank volunteered at the Skidompha Used Book Shop for 14 years. He said it kept his brain alive. He was a lifelong bibliophile; his favorite sitting chairs were surrounded by walls of books. More recently he found pleasure in the view from his deck in South Bristol, and sitting at the dinner table with generations of his family.
He will be remembered as a kind-hearted and generous member of The Old Curmudgeons Club.
Frank was predeceased by a son, Nicholas; and brother, August.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Mary McFarland Avantaggio; son, Glen and wife Denise Glover; daughter, Andrea and husband Peter Schertz; son, William and wife Annie; son, Christopher and wife Elizabeth; and son, August and wife Abby; grandchildren, Evan, August, Sophia, Ethan, Lydia, Saveria, Cole, and Rex; sisters, Anne Meyer and Jean Gaffney; and former wife, LaDeana.
A celebration of his life will be held at 1 p.m., Sat., Feb. 14 in the Lincoln Academy gymnasium.
In lieu of flowers, Frank has requested that contributions be made to the Skidompha Library, P.O. Box 70, Damariscotta, ME 04543; or Miles Memorial Hospital, c/o Development Office, 35 Miles St., Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Messages, and condolences for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
