My deepest sympathies go out to the family of Dr. Imparato.   He was extremely well-accomplished in his field and a very kind gentleman.  He will be missed.   Richard Weaver,  New York

I never had the honor of meeting Dr. Imparato, but I knew about him because he performed innovative, life-extending surgery on my late stepfather more than 40 years ago. My stepfather didn't have a lot to say about doctors, but he did have a few things to say about Dr. Imparato -- that he was smart, nice AND could talk about fly fishing. I am very sorry for your loss.

Dr Imparato was a wonderful physician and a very kind and lovely person. I knew him while working at NYU Medical Center in my first nursing position.He was loved and respected by the nurses who worked with him and by his patients. I am saddened to hear of his death.

I was sorry to learn of Dr. Imparato's death. Dr. Imparato, or "Tough Tony" was one of my favorite and helpful teachers at NYU in the early 60s while I became a psychiatrist and not a surgeon. Dr. Imparato taught me how to be a good doctor. Thank you, Dr. Imparato for your patience and your insights. Your memory and your legacy will live long after you.

Richard B. Pesikoff, M.D.

Dear Mimi,
So sorry to hear about the death of your father. I have very fond memories of time with you and your family growing up.
Frank DeLuca

And old and dear friend, and, finally, a great loss.

Dear Mimi,

Your dad was such a special person.  Kind, intelligent, with many passions - his family, medicine and his beloved fishing.  It was such a pleasure knowing your family first in Santa Rosa and then New York.  I know you will miss your dad - 
Love to you and your family and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Deanne Trombetta Marbach

I was a practicing podiatrist in the 80's and 90's. Although I never met Dr. Imperato, I know his passing is a great loss to us all.  I would send him my patients that couldn't walk.  They would come back to me to say that thanks to Dr. Imperato they could now dance.

Avram M. Shapiro, D.P.M.

Dr. Imparato was my Dad's vascular physician. I would accompany my Dad on his visits and we both agreed that he was not only the most brilliant in his field but absolutely the nicest and most compassionate Doctor we had ever dealt with.  The mere mention of his name to others brought only accolades.  We only have the fondest memories of him and his care.

A fine fishing companion and a great person.   The photos bring back so many wonderful memories.

Russel Patterson
Prof. of Neurosurgery, Cornell  (retired)

The Italian Heritage and Culture Committee of New York, Inc. extends our condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, patients and all who were influenced by Dr. Anthony Imperato during his life of abundant love and service to humanity.
William Russo, Board Member
www.italytculturemonth.org

We fished the world together. Lake Trout on Great Bear Lake in Canada, Arctic Char on the Coppermine River above the Arctic Circle, Large-mouth Bass on Candlewood Lake, Atlantic Salmon on the Midfjardara River in Iceland, Bluefish from Great Point on Nantucket, Bonefish on the flats of the Florida Keys, Mahi-Mahi off St. Croix, Virgin Island. My mentor, my teacher, my fishing buddy and so much more.  I will miss you.

Dear Colleagues,
 
It is with great sadness that we write to inform you of the passing of our esteemed colleague, Anthony Imparato, M.D. who served as Professor and Chief of the Division of Vascular Surgery at NYU from 1968 through 1991.  He died on February 12, 2018 at the age of 95. 
 
Dr. Imparato served in the US Naval Reserves from 1943-1953, and saw active duty during World War II.  He attended NYU Medical School, and ultimately completed his surgical training at Bellevue Hospital in 1956. Tony was promoted to the academic rank of Professor of Surgery in 1975.
 
Dr. Imparato was a respected teacher and prolific writer.   He presented over 200 invited lectures and had over 170 peer reviewed publications.  Most notably, Dr. Imparato was one of six vascular surgeons who established the subspecialty of vascular surgery in 1980, and he received one of the first six board certificates in vascular surgery.  This history is well chronicled in the book Band of BrothersCreators of Vascular Surgery, -Ed. Andrew Dale, MD.  He was an officer in virtually all major vascular societies in the United States, as well as in some international societies, and was elected to the post of the President of the Society for Vascular Surgery (the premier U S national vascular society) in 1985.  He was also instrumental in establishing training programs for vascular surgeons around the United States, and dedicated much of his professional life to the education and training of vascular surgeons globally.
 
As an avid fisherman, Dr. Imparato travelled globally in pursuit of this passion.  He retired from practice at NYU in 1991, and remained as Professor Emeritus and Chief Emeritus until his passing.  He is remembered by his patients for his devotion and compassion, by his trainees for his perfectionism and tirelessness, and by his colleagues for his collegiality and inquisitive mind.  
 
Tony Imparato, M.D. was preceded in death by his wife Agatha, and is survived by daughter Mimi, son-in-law John Cotton, and two grandchildren, Sonia and Alexander Cotton by his daughter Karen (deceased).
 
H. Leon Pachter M.D. F.A.C.S
____________________________________________________________________________
The George David Stewart Professor and Chair Department of Surgery NYU Langone Health
 
 
Mark A. Adelman, MD
________________________________
The Frank J. Veith, MD Professor and Chief
Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Vice Chair for Strategy and Business Development, Department of Surgery
NYU Langone Health

IMPARATO! 
IMPARATO, TRANSLATIONS: LEARNED, ADEPT, CLEVER AS A SURGEON
CURIOSITY,CREATIVE AS A SCIENTIST; 
CHARM, FRIENDLINESS AS A PERSON.
MY TEACHER,MENTOR, FRIEND, BROTHER (I NEVER HAD) FOR 69 YEARS STARTING 1949 NYU MEDICAL SCHOOL. A REAL TRAILBLAZER!
YOU ARE MISSED. MICHAEL A PAGLIA, MD AND FAMILY

Thank you Dr. Imparato for saving my son, Alex Barbera with your God given talent and Faith.

The word hero is used often. Dr. Anthony Imparato was my hero. A renaissance man who felt comfortable in the laboratory, operating room, or fishing. He taught multiple generations of doctors and his legacy lives through these doctors who practice the art and science of medicine which he instilled in us. He will be remembered by this surgeon forever.

May you celebrate a life well-lived and cherish the many memories created along the way. May you find strength & gain comfort and God's loyal love. Psalms 103:8

Tony was a beloved figure to non surgeons at NYU as well. Fearless, highly accomplished. A true pioneer.
Peter H. Berczeller M.D.

Dear Mimi,  

So sorry for your loss.  Its great that he lived to 95.  Unusual for men to live that long.  The photos showed he had a fabulous life.  God Bless.

You were one of the best instructors at NYU Surgery. I learned more from you than any other teacher. Rest in peace, Tony.
With respect and love, your student,
Melvin D Brown,MD, class of 1958.

Anthony M. Imparato is a monumental figure in American medicine.  A pioneer in the field of  vascular surgery, his groundbreaking research into the causes of arteriosclerosis greatly advanced the medical and surgical management of patients with this disease.  He translated his research findings into clinical practice which greatly aided his patients and those of other practitioners who followed his lead. As Chief of the Division of Vascular Surgery and Professor of Surgery at New York University Langone Medical Center, he was a superb teacher, mentor and role model for  generations of residents, fellows, and medical students. In addition to being a skilled surgeon, clinical researcher, and teacher, he was above all a dedicated and caring physician.  He was also someone who carried his outstanding achievements with great modesty.  His professional and scientific standing is attested to not only by his numerous papers in the peer-reviewed scientific medical literature, but also by his prominent profile in "Band of Brothers," which chronicles the history of vascular surgery.  By any measure he stands tall in the pantheon of  outstanding physician of our age.

Tony was a devoted husband and father, and recently delighted in being a great grandfather. As he did in medicine and surgery, he also excelled in raising orchids and fishing. During retirement in Florida he  kept intellectually  engaged, especially by attending  academic events at nearby Eckerd College and by residing in a community where he learned much about other knowledge domains from neighbors. 

We used to say to one another that he was "a" and that  I was "e" because we respectively spelled our surnames Imparato and Imperato.  But, my grandfather spelled it Imparato, changed during my father's generation to Imperato.  We also spoke about the island of Ventotene in the Bay of Naples to where some of our ancestors were banished for their political and intellectual activism during the eighteenth century.  He wrote the following inscription in my copy of "Band of Brothers": "Aren't we lucky to have inherited the big 'I' genes!." We were indeed. 





The world has lost a leader within the field of vascular surgery.  Dr. Imparato taught sound surgical principles and techniques to hundreds of residents, fellows and students over the years.  Through his own hands and his teaching he saved and improved thousands of lives.  He made a real difference.  You will be missed.  Thank you  my teacher.  Rest in peace for your work lives on.             

OBITUARY

Anthony M Imparato MD

July 29, 1922 – February 12, 2018

Beach Memorial Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services