Edward Spoto Jr. M.D.

Edward Spoto, Jr., M.D., passed away peacefully at his home on Manasota Key, Florida, on June 25, 2026, after a brief but fierce battle with cancer. He leaves behind a lasting legacy of service, leadership, and deep devotion to his family.

Born in Tampa, Florida, Dr. Spoto dedicated his life to caring for others. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Tulane University in 1961 and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Tulane Medical School in 1964. He completed his internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, followed by his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Cardiology at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals in Atlanta. He served in the United States Army Medical Corps from 1965 to 1967, with assignments at Fort Lee, Virginia, and in Vietnam, where he served as a battalion surgeon. In recognition of his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star.

Dr. Spoto’s career in medicine was marked by excellence, leadership, and a commitment to advancing cardiac care. He began in private practice with West Coast Cardiology Center in Tampa before joining the University of South Florida College of Medicine, where he served as Chief of the Cardiology Section and advanced through the academic ranks from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor and ultimately Clinical Professor of Medicine.

He held a number of important leadership roles at Tampa General Hospital (TGH), including Director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Director of Cardiac Transplantation, Chief of the Department of Medicine, Vice Chief of Staff, and Chief of Staff. He was also a member of the TGH physician team that performed Florida’s first heart transplant. He later served as Transplant Cardiologist at LifeLink Transplant Institute in Tampa and as Chief Medical Officer of the Heart and Vascular Institute at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. He also served as Medical Director of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and as Physician Advisor at Englewood Community Hospital.

Throughout his career, Dr. Spoto was respected not only for his skill as a physician, but also for his steady leadership, thoughtful mentorship, and dedication to teaching. In 1975, he was named Outstanding Physician and Educator of the Year by the University of South Florida College of Medicine. He received the Award of Merit from the American Heart Association, Florida Affiliate, in 1978 and 1980. In 1984, he was promoted to Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of South Florida, a role he held until his retirement in 2005.

Above all, Dr. Spoto was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, uncle, loyal friend and charming and resolute center of his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Sandra Long Spoto; his children, Stephanie Dayton (Steve), Lynley Williams (John), and Ed Spoto (Ashley); and his cherished grandchildren, Camaren Dayton, Griffen Dayton, Madison Spoto, and Laney Spoto. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie C. Spoto and Carmen Sarcone Spoto, and his sister, Lucy Spoto Herman.

To those who knew and loved him best, he was “often mistaken but never in doubt”. Far more than his many professional accomplishments, he was their dad, patriarch, Nano, doctor, social planner, mentor, fishing guide, memory-maker, bocce official and family leader. He leaves behind a beautiful and distinctive legacy that will remain with his family always.

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no services or celebration of life. The family asks for prayers for strength and peace as they learn to navigate life without him.