Anthony F. Merlino MD

Anthony F. Merlino, M.D., 92, of North Providence, passed away Tuesday August 9th, surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband for 58 years to the late Dolores Mary (Aucello) Merlino.

Born in Providence, he was a son of the late Anthony F. and C. Mildred (Compagna) Merlino.  He resided in North Providence since 1969.  He was the devoted father of Christa Merlino of Smithfield and Paula DeDonato and her husband Joseph, and the proud and loving grandfather of Christina and Joseph DeDonato, all of North Providence.  He was the brother of Frank Merlino and his wife Elizabeth of Potowamut, and Helen Toro of West Warwick and Estero, FL.

Dr. Merlino was a graduate of Classical High School, Providence College, University of Connecticut, and Jefferson Medical College.  He was a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, who practiced  at the Fatima and Providence units of St. Joseph  Hospital, until his retirement , after 40 years, in 2003.  He authored over 20 scientific articles in various medical journals and was a member of the American Medical Association, American College of Surgeons, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Rhode Island Orthopedic Society, Eastern Orthopedic Association, Boston Orthopedic Club, and numerous other professional organizations.  Historically, with his late partners, William Hindle, M.D., and Ralph Pike , M.D., he founded the first professional service corporation in Rhode Island , the Rhode Island Orthopedic Group, Inc. on January 2, 1969.

Dr. Merlino was recognized in multiple editions of WHO’S WHO IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, WHO’S WHO IN MEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE, WHO’S WHO IN THE EAST , WHO’S WHO IN AMERICA, and WHO’S WHO IN THE WORLD., For a period of 20 years, he was Orthopedic Consultant to his beloved Alma Mater, Providence College and Team Physician  to its NCAA Division I Athletic Teams.  He was honored by the College with the McDonnell Award in 181 and the Golden Friar Alumni Service Award in 2001.  He was a major benefactor of his church, of Providence College and Jefferson Medical College, and a serious contributor to a multitude of other charitable organizations and foundations.

Dr. Merlino was a daily communicant of St. Anthony Church in North Providence and a member of the Archangelica Prayer Cenacle.  He was a firm believer in and staunch advocate of the authenticity of the apparitions at Medjugorje, to which religious site he made 7 pilgrimages.  He was invested as Knight in THE EQUESTRIAN ORDER OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE OF JERUSALEM, an ancient and honorable worldwide Order of the Catholic Church.  In addition to his love of Medicine, he had an intense interest in the Law and he took pride in having won unrelated medically-orientated cases in both the R.I. Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Dr. Merlino served as a Medical Officer in the USAF, 2 years on active duty, and several years in the Active Reserve.  He was a serious JFK assassination researcher and devoted many years of his life to that activity.  He was a skilled film and digital photographer, who specialized in landscapes and wildlife.  He was also an accomplished pianist, who played for his own enjoyment and that of his family and friends.

Dr. Merlino lived a long, productive, and rewarding life, which he enjoyed to the fullest.  He always tried to treat everyone with kindness, dignity and respect, and to, in St. Paul’s words, “fight the good fight”.  There are those who would say he did that.  At Heart, he was a plain, unpretentious man who dearly loved God, his Family and Friends, his Country, and his Profession.  In the end, he looked forward to reuniting with his Beloved Dolores in Heaven.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am Saturday at St. Anthony Church, 1413 Mineral Spring Ave, North Providence.  Burial will follow in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.  Visiting hours are A.A. Mariani & Son Funeral Home, 200 Hawkins Street, Providence Friday, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may  be made to the ANTHONY F. MERLINO, M.D. SCHOLARSHIP FUND OF PROVIDENCE COLLEGE, 549 River Avenue, Providence, RI 02918.