Remo Andrea Lotano

Born on January 5, 1934, in New York, to the late Michaelina and Vincenzo Lotano, he was the second of four sons. At age six, Remo’s legs were badly damaged when he was struck by a truck, resulting in a prolonged hospitalization that required him to learn to walk again. Impressed by the doctors and nurses who temporarily adopted him, he decided then that he too would become a physician.

First, earning a degree in Pharmacy at the Albany College of Pharmacy, he worked with his father at their drugstore. He moved on to pursue his goal of becoming a physician at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.

One summer while home for the holidays, Remo was awaiting the cruise ship Leonardo DaVinci’s departure on Pier 19 in NYC, and helped a young Swiss woman named Trudy, with her luggage to board the ship; henceforth they embarked on a lifetime voyage together.

They married in Switzerland and returned to the US for Remo’s residency and fellowship, where they raised their three children, Christine, Remo, and Marco.

In 1975 he brought his young family to Hill City to start his own Ophthalmology practice, which would become Piedmont Eye Center. He immediately hired Carol Cattlet who kept everything in tight order and gave him his nickname The Bear. Truly kind and caring, but with a fiery side - he could be either a teddy or a grizzly. Hence the license plate BEAR MD which still identifies his vehicle today.

Remo cared dearly for his community. He was on the board of the Boonsboro Fire Department and Lynchburg Kiwanis Club, volunteering with the first of many James River Bateau festivals. He was a founding member of both the Lynchburg Dante Alighieri and Opera on the James, having hosted two Opera on the Lawn events at his home.

Following his retirement, Dr Lotano volunteered his services at the Central Virginia Training Center, The Free Health Clinic, and traveled on mission trips to Honduras and Jamaica.

Remo is survived by his three children, Christine M. Lotano of Boston, MA, Remo V. Lotano of Berlin, Germany, Marc A. Lotano MD of Richmond, VA, three grandchildren, Catharine Denning, Alessandra Denning, and Jude Denning of Boston, MA, and one brother, James Lotano of Albany, NY.

The family would like to extend deepest thanks to those who helped and supported him in the final years including Robert and Lisa Vogel, Lizette and Jerry Padgett, Gloria Davis, Peter and Amber Konieczny, Kay Ferry, Kay and Kent VanAllen, Robert Garbee, Bob Blair, Tanisha Rucker, and Patricia Brooks.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church. A reception will immediately follow the service.

Remo will be lovingly remembered for his endearing love, loyalty, humor, and dedication to providing care for all those in need, by his children, grandchildren, extended family, numerous friends, and the community he served.