Dr. Restituto Medrano Alisuag

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Dr. Restituto Medrano Alisuag. Affectionately known as Nono, Daddy, T’Resto,Tito Papa, and Restie, he peacefully passed away after a brief illness on March 12, 2025, at the age of 89, surrounded by his loving family at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, VA.

Restie was born in Alitagtag, Batangas, Philippines, on May 17, 1935, the youngest of ten children to Francisco and Sixta Medrano. Orphaned at age two, he was raised by his seven sisters and one brother. He graduated from La Salette High School in Santiago, Isabella, Philippines where his yearbook motto states: “Duty before pleasure.” This sense of duty propelled him to earn his medical degree in 1961 from Far Eastern University in Manila.

In pursuit of advanced training, Restie was scouted through International Medical Graduates, a program that recruited doctors to work in Canada due to a shortage in the 60s. He completed his anesthesia residency at McGill University in Montreal. It was during his time at St. John’s Hospital in New Brunswick, he met the love of his life, Nancy, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage. In 1971, the couple immigrated to the United States. Restie practiced medicine for over 40 years in the Philadelphia area. He worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Langhorne and Fishtown, Philadelphia. After being renamed Neumann Medical Center, Dr. Alisuag served as Chief of Anesthesia and ran the Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) school. His calm, steady demeanor earned him the nickname “Rocky Ali” with both his colleagues and patients. In later years, until his retirement, Restie worked at Aria Jefferson Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia.

Beyond his medical career, Restie and Nancy owned and operated Universal Imports, a furniture business specializing in wicker and rattan from their native Philippines. Later the couple converted their properties into Mrs. Clean Laundromats. In Huntingdon Valley, PA, Restie and Nancy raised their children, Stephanie and Frankie. Their home became a frequent gathering place for family and friends. He enjoyed gardening, taking care of his swimming pool and was an industrious problem solver – always repurposing materials to fix practically anything! He and his wife enjoyed frequent walks throughout the Justa Farms neighborhood and the Pennypack Trail.

An avid skier, Restie loved to take annual trips with his family to the Poconos, Beaver Creek, and Snowbird, and spent summers in Margate, NJ. In 2022, he and Nancy moved to Brightview Senior Living Residence in Fairfax, VA, and most recently to Arlington, VA, to be closer to their daughter, Stephanie and caregivers; Mikky, Angel, Marissa (his niece), Christy, Flor, and Betty.

Restie is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughter, Stephanie Alisuag-Schreiber (Scott) of Arlington, VA; son, Frankie (Sara) of Murray, UT; and three grandsons; Zander and Andrew, and Remy, as well as a granddaughter dog, Marley. He is also survived by countless nieces and nephews in the United States, Canada, and his beloved Philippines.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Francisco and Sixta; sisters, brothers, and brother-in-laws; Maria Trinidad Alisuag and Raymundo Ilagan, Andres Alisuag, Sr., and Dalmacia Natividad Pagsuyuin Alisuag, Porfiria Alisuag and Porfirio Dio, Antonina Alisuag, Fausta Alisuag, Teofila Alisuag and Bartolome Garcia, Nieves Alisuag and Abdon Ilagan, Sr., Matea Natividad Alisuag and Benigno Garcia, and Balthazar Alisuag.

Restie’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. May he always be remembered for an unwavering love of his family, infectious smile, generosity, and his invaluable words of wisdom.

A celebration of Restie’s life will be held on Saturday, March 22nd at the Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA. 10 am - noon viewing, followed by mass at noon.

The family asks in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Alzheimer's Association | Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia.