Abelardo Vasquez Lacano

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He and his wife Sandra were happily married for over 50 years. He valued his extended family around the world and maintained close connections with them.

As a gastroenterologist, Dr. Lacano was devoted to his patients and had a strong work ethic. He worked his way through college and medical school, graduating from the Southwestern University, School of Medicine (Cebu, Philippines) in 1966. He immigrated to the United States in 1967 and met his wife Sandra while working at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago. He decided to move to more temperate climes and found his way to Central Florida. He joined the staff of Wuesthoff Hospital (now Rockledge Regional Medical Center) and opened his own practice on Merritt Island in 1973. He was a pioneer in establishing the gastroenterology department at Wuesthoff. He retired from the medical field in 2009. He was a kind and gentle physician and beloved by his patients and colleagues alike.

Abelardo wished to give back to his adopted country and was very proud to serve as a physician in the U.S. Army Reserve for eight years.

One of his favorite hobbies, especially in retirement, was cultivating his mango grove. After planting more than 250 small seedlings and raising them into flourishing trees, he enjoyed sharing the grove’s bountiful harvest with friends and mango lovers from all over the state. He even sent annual mango care packages – with the different varieties carefully labeled – to family members across the US.

Abelardo was a devout Catholic and a long-time member of Divine Mercy Catholic Church. He made many pilgrimages to holy Catholic sites throughout his life.

He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Sandra; son: John (Yamily) of Winter Park; daughter: Jennifer of Izmir, Turkey; grandchildren: Yuvitza and Andrew; siblings: Crisostomo (Patricia) Lacano of Cocoa, FL; Julio Lacano of Fukuoka, Japan; Antonia (John) Wee of Cebu, Philippines; and Luz Escobal of Cabalian, Philippines. He was preceded in death by his parents Julio Cartoneros Lacano, Sr., and Servilla Feji Vasquez; stepmother Anecita B. Lacano; and sister Marites Mapoy.

No services are scheduled at this time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to Divine Mercy Catholic Church (www.divinemercychurch.org).