Dr. Anthony Sebastian Ioppolo

Dr. Anthony Sebastian Ioppolo, beloved and devoted husband, loving father, cherished grandfather, brother, physician, attorney, scholar, and lifelong learner, passed away peacefully at his home on January 8, 2026, while courageously undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Ioppolo was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony Mario Ioppolo and Clelia Ioppolo. In January 1978, he moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a city that would become his lifelong home and the center of his professional legacy.

Dr. Ioppolo earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and went on to graduate from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. He completed his neurosurgical training in New York City, serving as Chief Resident of Neurosurgery under Dr. Joseph Ransohoff at NYU Medical Center and Bellevue Hospital—an achievement that reflected both his academic excellence and leadership.

In January 1978, he joined Neuro Medical Center in Baton Rouge, where he practiced with distinction for decades. He later founded Advanced Spine Institute and Neuro Spinal Consultants, expanding access to specialized spinal and neurosurgical care across Louisiana. He also served for many years as Medical Director for the Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corporation, where his expertise, integrity, and fairness were widely respected.

Never satisfied with mastering only one discipline, Dr. Ioppolo pursued law later in life, graduating from Southern University Law School in 2009. He found great enjoyment in debate, depositions, and the intellectual rigor of the legal profession, blending medicine and law with rare proficiency.

Before moving to Baton Rouge, Dr. Ioppolo obtained his pilot’s license, and later also earned his captain’s license, reflecting his love of aviation and the water. He cherished traveling with his family, particularly on ski trips and visits to national parks—moments he valued deeply as a husband, father, and grandfather.

A profound lover of animals, he raised and cared for a variety throughout his life, including an assortment of farm animals, dogs, and cats. During his final years his faithful German shepherd, Wolfgang, was always by his side. His many hobbies and interests included hunting, shooting sports, ham radio, remote-controlled helicopters and airplanes, reading, automobiles, and numerous forms of collecting. Above all, he was a relentless seeker of knowledge who delighted in learning something new every day.

Dr. Ioppolo was married to his devoted wife, Susan Harriet Ioppolo, in October 1977. Together they built a life grounded in love, family, faith, and shared adventure. He was a constant source of wisdom, encouragement, and unwavering support to those he loved.

He is survived by his wife, Susan; their three children, Jason Mathew Ioppolo and his fiancée Christi Rehage of Prairieville Louisiana, Anthony Michael Ioppolo and his fiancée Lora Rogers of Pinehurst North Carolina, Julie Marie Plaisance and her husband, David Plaisance of Baton Rouge Louisiana; his four cherished grandchildren, Jude, Elizabeth, Alexandra, and Piper; and his sister, Adrienne Wilkens of Islandia New York and her daughter Christine Gill of Miller Place New York.

Dr. Ioppolo was a faithful member of St. Jude Catholic Church on Highland Road in Baton Rouge. Visitation will be held at St. Jude Catholic Church on January 16 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by a Memorial Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lustgarten Foundation to support pancreatic cancer research.

Dr. Anthony Sebastian Ioppolo leaves behind a legacy of intellectual rigor, compassion, service, and an unquenchable love of learning. Most of all, he will be remembered as a loving husband, devoted father, and proud grandfather, whose impact will endure in the lives of his family, patients, colleagues, and all who were fortunate enough to know him.