Michael V. Gilberti Sr.

Dr. Michael V. Gilberti (nee Giliberti), Sr., quietly passed away at High Point Regional Hospital in High Point, NC, on Monday, February 25th. “Papa” was a humble man who loved his family more than anything in life.

Papa was born in Jacurso, Italy on May 13, 1918, and after immigration to America through Ellis Island at the age of 8, his family landed outside of Pittsburgh, PA.

As a child, Papa had a passion for football – and as a standout quarterback for Aliquippa High School, he earned a scholarship to play for The University of Notre Dame. Unfortunately, a life-threatening lung infection following his senior year quashed his football dream and he decided that medicine was his calling. He attended the University of Pittsburgh followed by Loyola University Chicago School of Medicine. He later earned a Masters in Medical Science for graduate work in surgery at the University of Pennsylvania.

While serving in the U.S. Army at a Veterans Hospital in Butler, PA, Papa met the love of his life, “Gracie,” who was the daughter of the hospital administrator. On April 24, 1948, he married his beloved wife, Grace Anne Chase, who preceded him in death on October 29, 2012.

Papa was a skillful and successful General Surgeon in Pittsburgh, PA, serving on the senior surgical staff at West Penn Hospital for many years. He worked simultaneously as Associate Medical Director and Director of Clinical Services for Gulf Oil Corporation, Medical Director for the Correctional Institutions of Pennsylvania, and Employee Health Director at West Penn Hospital. He finally retired from his passion of medicine at the age of 73, missing it every day thereafter. He and Gracie wintered in Ft. Myers, Florida, where he discovered that he could play golf more months of the year, a game he loved and played until the age of 97! Bridge became his daily pastime, and he studied it and played until weeks before his death.

Papa had notable experiences as a resident and surgeon, assisting Dr. Jonas Salk on the polio vaccine, and assisting in the first adult bone marrow transplant in the country on a patient with extreme radiation exposure. While doing a stint as a Hollywood film set physician, he had many brushes with fame such as treating Bob Hope for an injury. Over the course of his hundred years, he made countless friends that included 4-star Generals, Cardinals and Bishops, and Nobel Prize winners, and yet he remained a humble man.

Papa was also preceded in death by his parents, Francesco and Immaculata (Sergio) Gilberti, originally of Jacurso, Italy, and all of his three (3) brothers and their wives: Giacomo (Jack) and Ruthie Gilberti, Franco (Frank) and Yvonne Gilberti, and Mario (Babe) and Kate Gilberti. He is survived by his six children: Michael V. Gilberti, Jr. (and Paige) of Basking Ridge, NJ, Lawrence F. Gilberti (and Ellen Tobie) of Philadelphia, PA, Nancy C. Gilberti (and Lascelle Mussenden) of Folsom, CA, Laura Gilberti Rine of Jamestown, NC, Dr. Lynne M. Gilberti of Greensboro, NC, and Gary J. Gilberti (and Susan) of Wilmington, NC; and by eight (8) beloved grandchildren: Francesca, Lauren, Mickey, Andrew, Christian, Kyle, Tory, and Erin, and three (3) great grandchildren: Kathryn, Rowan, and Blaine, who called him Papa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 29, 2019, at 2:00 P.M., at Pennybyrn at Maryfield Chapel located at 1315 Greensboro Road, High Point, NC, to be officiated by Father James Solari, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Pennybyrn at Maryfield Resident Care Fund, 109 Penny Road, High Point, NC 27260. Hanes Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel is assisting the Gilberti family. Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfhsedgefield.com