Dr. Ernest F. Rosato died at his home in Ardmore, PA on January 6, 2012. He was 75. Dr. Rosato was born to Ernest L. Rosato and Mary R. Huggard in Philadelphia on September 9, 1936. Raised in Philadelphia's Port Richmond neighborhood, Dr. Rosato graduated from St. Joseph's Preparatory School in 1954 and St. Joseph's College in 1958. Dr. Rosato then entered the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, from which he graduated in 1962 with election to the Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Society. At the age of 17, Dr. Rosato met his wife Geraldine Marie Sullivan, whom he married in 1960. Together they raised nine beautiful children.

After graduating from medical school, Dr. Rosato took his general surgical residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania where he remained for his over 50-year medical career. Dr. Rosato was promoted to Full Professor of Surgery in 1975 and subsequently held the position of the Chief of Gastrointestinal Surgery from 1988 through 2004. For his clinical expertise Dr. Rosato received significant recognition outside of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, with multiple listings in the Top Doctors edition in Philadelphia Magazine and a remarkable 17 year consecutive run in the "Best Doctors in America" listing. In recognition of the thousands of cancer patients who benefited from his care, in 2007 he was the recipient of the "Humanitarian Award" from the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Cancer Society. Dr. Rosato was the recipient of the 2008 I.S. Ravdin Master Clinician award, given to a clinician who is a skillful, compassionate practitioner with a long and consistent record of contributions to the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and health system. His superb abilities as a teacher resulted in an unprecedented array of teaching awards during his years at Penn. Most notably, Dr. Rosato was recognized 18 different times by Penn's surgical chief residents with the William Inouye Award as the faculty member "whose leadership, caring attitude and surgical judgment have been an exemplary model to the surgeon in training, with whom a bond of mutual respect and friendship has been established."

Dr. Rosato took great pride in his wife and their children. They were his greatest joy and they love him dearly. He was the devoted father of Ernest F., Jr. (Susannah), William J. (Susan), Rafael F. (Francie), Anthony G. (Kathryn), Gerard M. (Danielle), Philip R. (Michelle), Catherine J. Reilly (LtCol Brendan Reilly, USMC), David A. (Amy) and the late Sarah Marie Rosato. He was also the dear grandfather of 27 and brother of Marie L. King and the late Francis E. Rosato, M.D.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Funeral Service Saturday January 14, 12 Noon at The Class of '44 Chapel of The Episcopal Academy, 1785 Bishop White Dr., Newtown Square, PA.


Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.


In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Ernest F. Rosato Professorship of Surgery, c/o Penn Medicine Development, 3535 Market St. Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104.