Our beloved father, husband and Physician, Francisco Vieira stepped peacefully into eternity on Friday, September 13, 2019. He passed away in his home surrounded by family and friends, at 62 years of age after a long battle with cancer.
Born in Sao Paulo Brazil, Francisco followed a path to caring for others from a very young age. After graduating from medical school, he specialized in Otorhinolaryngology and built a successful medical practice in Curitiba, Brazil where he married his cherished wife, Jussara. Together they enjoyed thirty-four beautiful years together with their children; Kathleen, Dawson Thiago, Mitchell and stepdaughter Juliana. Francisco and Jussara moved to Memphis in 1993, when their son Mitchell was diagnosed and treated at St.Jude. The family was challenged to save their son, learn a new language, adapt to a new culture and support the family. Francisco was recruited by The University of Tennessee where he was a Researcher, and later on he became part of the University at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology where he was an Assistant Professor. He also worked at Regional One Health, as a Head and Neck surgeon where he took great pride in the success of teaching many residents. Francisco was a published author in his field and was known for providing care to an unprivileged patient population.
Early this year while battling cancer, Francisco suffered the loss of his beloved son Dawson Thiago.
Francisco was a consummate gentleman, a mentor, a great father and provider. His life was a gift of care and compassion to humanity. He is survived by his wife, Jussara, his son, Mitchell, his daughter Kathleen, his stepdaughter Juliana, his siblings, Soraia and Fernando and beloved mother, Ivone. He is preceded in death by his brother, Alexandre.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, September 21, 2019 at Memorial Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens in Bartlett TN, at 2:00pm with a visitation held thirty minutes prior. Following the service, the family will have catered reception from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.
