Dr. Deogracias Esquerra, Jr. Died Suddenly

Dr. Deogracias Esquerra, Jr.

St. Albans/Buffalo, N. Y. - Dr. Deogracias Esguerra, Jr., died suddenly, Thursday, February 12, 2009, in Buffalo, at his home. He was born in Cavite, Philippines July 8, 1928 son of the late Deogracias Esquerra, Sr., and Maxima (Palugod) Esguerra. He married Evelyn Stewart in 1960 in Chicago, Illinois.

Deo graduated from Santo Thomas University, College of Medicine in 1954. He left that year to take his internship at Englewood Hospital in Chicago, Ill. He then completed a surgical residency at Mercy and Polaski Hospital and conducted research at Mount Loyola University, also in Chicago.

In 1961 he and his family moved to Montreal, Quebec, Canada where he completed an additional surgical residency at St. Joseph De Rosemount, Institute de Cardiologie and St. Jerome Hospital. He then opened his own practice. In Montreal he was instrumental in uniting the various Filipino Associations both at the Provincial and Federal levels. He participated representing the community at the 1967 World Expo in Montreal.
In 1970 Dr. Esguerra opened a practice in Alburg, Vermont. The practice was eventually moved to St. Albans. He became Chief of Emergency Services and was very involved in the EMS and was instrumental in the unification of Kerbs Memorial and St. Albans Hospital. He was elected President of the Franklin County Medical Society. He served as company physician for the Union Carbide Consumer Products Company and as Vice President of the Medical Staff at NWMC.

In 1992 he was awarded the honor of Vermont Physician of the year.

Deo was involved in various community activities in his beloved St. Albans. He was an active participant of the Cancer Walkathons for NWMC. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Council # 297 and the Fourth Degree Assembly, an active participant in Cardiac Capers and was a member of the Rotary Club.

As President of AARP, he provided leadership and energy including winning 1st prize for their float at the St. Albans Maple Festival.

As an ardent optimist who wanted to spread the work he founded the Centurion and SPFM Clubs to promote living life to its fullest.

He was also an ardent sports fan and supported local teams including sponsorship of the Swanton girl’s basketball team.

He is survived by his wife Evelyn, children Renita and her husband Tito Rodriuez, George Esguerra, John and his wife Maritess Esguerra, grandchildren Antonio, Dominic, and the most recent addition Sumehra. His siblings are Euclid, Magdalena and Generoso and their extended families.

He will be remembered by all who knew him for his positive and optimistic outlook on life and especially by the OR staff for his “Numbered jokes”.

He was a loving husband, father and friend. He will be missed by all who knew him. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, May 23, in St. Mary’s Church at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow the Mass in the Esguerra Family lot in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home, 86 South Main St., from 5 to 8 P.M. Friday. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1460, Williston, VT. 05495. An online condolence book has been established for his family and friends at the funeral home website: www.bnlfh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home and Commemorative Services.