Victor Richard Popeo, M.D.

5/9/36-4/30/21

Marco Island, FL & Yarmouthport, MA

Victor Richard Popeo, MD, also affectionately known as “Dr. Vic”, passed away peacefully at his home in Florida, surrounded by family.

Born to Italian immigrants, the late Vincent and Esterina (Gianasca) Popeo, Vic grew up in East Boston, Massachusetts along with his three sisters and two brothers.

Vic graduated from Boston College ‘57, where he worked several jobs including a trumpeter in several jazz bands to pay for his education. During his undergraduate years at BC, he fell in love with a fellow student, Annette Collins. They married in December 1958 while he was attending Tufts University Medical School, from which he graduated in 1961.

During the next three years of internships and a residency at Boston Floating Hospital, all four of his children were born. The family moved to Walpole, MA where he joined fellow partners, the late Dr. Edwin Hubbard and the late Dr. George Geyer at Walpole Pediatrics. Shortly after settling in Walpole, Vic was drafted during the Vietnam War and moved with his family to Wurzberg, Germany serving as a Captain in the US Army from 1966-1969. During this time, he met the late Dr. Arthur J Lusty III, who later would become the 4th partner at Walpole Pediatrics and one of Vic’s dearest friends.

Over his long and distinguished career, Dr. Vic held numerous positions including Chief of Residency at Kennedy Memorial Hospital, Chief of Pediatrics and Physician in Charge at US Army Hospital of Wurzberg, Germany, and Chief of Pediatrics, at Norwood Hospital. He maintained a multitude of staff positions including at Westwood Lodge Hospital and Children’s Hospital Medical Center. In addition, he taught at Tufts University School of Medicine serving as an instructor and Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics. He retired in 1995 but kept his license to practice so that he could continue to educate adults and treat children on a volunteer basis.

Vic was an inspirational and gifted physician with a kind and generous heart and a brilliant mind. His passion was in helping others, especially children and their families, but the generosity of his time and knowledge also extended to many charitable causes. Vic’s deepest devotion was for his family. Nothing made him happier than spending time with them, especially his grandchildren and telling his countless, embellished stories. Vic was a competitive tennis player, an avid skier, runner, and trumpet player. He also enjoyed golf, bocce and woodworking. He had a genuine love and respect for animals, nature, wildlife, botany and all living things.

He will always be remembered for his sense of humor, his mischievous smile and fierce sense of gratitude and humility; he never forgot his roots.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Annette (Collins), his daughters: Joanie Popeo-Madinah (husband Mahdi) of Dixon, CA, Denise Popeo of Apex, NC and Marlene Popeo-Nickerson (husband Mark) of East Lyme, CT; Grandchildren: Nicolle Murphy of Philadelphia, PA, Ryan Nickerson and Andrew Nickerson of South Boston, Siblings: R. Robert Popeo Esq.(wife Brenda) of Needham, MA, and Mary Popeo Greenburg (husband Hank) of Venice, Fla. He is predeceased by his son, David Popeo of Woburn, MA and siblings Connie Wilson (husband Dave) of Lexington KY, Jim Popeo (wife Joan) Peabody MA, and Helen Gladney (husband Arthur) of Barrington RI.

A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are welcome at:

Tufts Children’s Hospital

755 Washington Street

Boston, MA 02111

OR

Vitas Hospice Health Care

Attn.: donations

4980 Tamiami Trail North Suite 103

Naples, FL 34103

The family would like extend their sincere gratitude to the many doctors, nurses and health care providers who cared for Vic. Please visit http://www.hodgesjosberger.com/ to leave condolences.