John F. Ansbro, MD

He served as a surgeon with the rank of Lieutenant in the Medical Corps Reserves of the U.S. Navy, stationed at the USNR base in Da Nang, Vietnam. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” and later appointed to the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

John attended St. Mel’s High School in Chicago, Illinois. He completed undergraduate studies at both the University of Notre Dame and Loyola University and earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He went on to complete his surgical residencies at the University of Colorado and at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, followed by a cardiovascular training at the National Heart Hospital in London, England, and a cardiovascular surgical fellowship in San Francisco.

In 1977, John moved to Evansville to establish the region’s first open-heart surgery program serving Deaconess Hospital and performed his first open heart surgery on November 1, 1977.

He co-founded Cardiovascular Surgery, Inc. alongside Alan Marty and added partners H. Dan Adams, Richard Murrell, Lee Wagmeister, Dominic Cefali, and others. Under their leadership, the program expanded to St. Mary’s and Welborn Hospitals and included both cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. He later joined the Heart Group in Evansville.

John loved his family, friends, and work family deeply. He had a passion for reading, snow skiing, golfing, and traveling. He also cherished quiet moments, often found on his porch with a good book. A longtime wine enthusiast, John enjoyed collecting fine vintages and sharing his knowledge with others.

He will be remembered for his kindness, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the care of others.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia (DeWitt) Ansbro; sons, John Patrick Ansbro (Mara) and Michael Conner Ansbro; granddaughter, Aria Kay Ansbro; sisters-in-law, Terri Woolen (Dan) and Sanghee Ansbro; brother-in-law, Sam Arcuri, nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his brother, James Ansbro; sisters, Eileen Arcuri, Kay Thomas and his twin sister- Patricia Halvey and her husband, Michael, and nephews, William Halvey and Mark Thomas.

The family would like to thank the physicians and staff of Deaconess Health Systems, Sarasota Doctors Hospital, Ascension St. Vincent Cancer Services and Newburgh Health Care for their compassionate care. They also want to thank the parishioners of Holy Rosary Catholic Church for their prayers and concern.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, July 21, 2025 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1301 S. Green River Road, officiated by Fr. Bernie Etienne. Visitation will be 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. with the mass following. His final resting place will be Alexander Memorial Park in Evansville.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Deaconess Hospital Foundation “Heart Saver” program at https://www.deaconess.com/For-You/Donors-and-Volunteers/Give-Now or the Evansville Rescue Mission at https://www.evansvillerescuemission.org/

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNewburghChapel.com