Anthony R. (Tony) Garruto, 86, of Sarasota, Florida and Red Bank, passed away peacefully March 27 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital due to complications from pneumonia.
Beloved husband, father, grandfather and son, he was born to Mary and Raymond Garruto May 26, 1932 in Elizabeth, where he grew up and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School.
Dr. Garruto graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1954. Immediately following graduation, he proudly served his country as a lieutenant junior grade in the United States Navy, transporting troops and supplies across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Caribbean. After leaving the Navy, he obtained his medical degree in 1960 from Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, Chicago. While in medical school, he married his college sweetheart, Margaret (Peggy) Murray.
Dr. Garruto and his wife settled in Monmouth County where he practiced family medicine for 42 years before retiring in 2002.
Dr. Garruto had a long and distinguished career as a family physician and was loved dearly by his patients and associates. He served as a charter member of the American Board of Family Practice and was a member of the board of trustees of the New Jersey and the American Academy of Family Physicians. He was Chief of Family Practice at Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel where he served on the board of trustees and was one of the founding members of that hospital. He was also on staff at both Riverview and Jersey Shore medical centers.
Dr. Garruto was honored as Physician of the Year 2002 at Bayshore Hospital. He was also an assistant clinical professor of family practice at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and was appointed by Gov. Byrne to represent family practice on the New Jersey Board of X-Ray Technicians. During his retirement, he volunteered at both the Parker Family Clinic in Red Bank and the Friendship Center in Venice, Florida.
Dr. Garruto was also a longtime member of the Monmouth Beach Bath and Tennis Club where he enjoyed spending his summers with his family and friends. His love of all things nautical persisted throughout his life and he could often be found on a boat or by the ocean with a fishing rod in hand. He shared his appreciation for his Italian heritage with his wife and family, loved to play the piano, read and travel. Few things were as important to him as family traditions and he was at his best with his family around him. He will be deeply missed by friends, family and all who knew him.
Dr. Garruto is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Peggy; four children and seven grandchildren: Maria and Jeff Fallon and sons, Jeffrey and Corey of Sarasota, Florida; Regina and Edward Nugent and daughters, Gabrielle and Emily of Eatontown; Raymond and Susan Garruto and sons, Matthew and Anthony and daughter Megan of Norwood, North Carolina; and Anthony and Kaye Garruto of Duluth, Georgia.
He is predeceased by his parents, Mary and Raymond, and sister Rose Puha.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Garruto’s memory can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Visitation was held April 14 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial was held April 15 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Long Branch. Interment was private.
