John Anthony Surmonte, 89, of Pinehurst, died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, at FirstHealth Hospice House, in Pinehurst.
Mr. Surmonte was born April 13, 1923, in Newark, N.J., to Johanna B. Surmonte (Trensch) and Charles A. Surmonte.
Mr. Surmonte moved to Nutley, N.J. at the age of 5, where he graduated from Nutley High School. He attended Villanova College, where he graduated with a bachelor’s in science. He later attended Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and graduated in 1947 with a medical doctor degree.
He completed his general internship and residency training in general surgery and was certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American College of Surgeons. Upon completion of his training he did private practice of surgery in Penns Grove, N.J., and Salem Memorial Hospital in Salem, N.J., from 1956 till 1981. He held the position of chief of staff for six years at Salem Memorial Hospital. In 1981 he became chief of surgery at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Clarksburg, W.Va., and clinical professor in surgery at West Virginia University in Morgantown, W.Va., and held these positions till 1991, when he retired and moved to Pinehurst.
He married Rita McMahon in 1945, and that marriage ended in 1982. He had three children: Anne Teresa Calef, of Somers Point, N.J., Charles A. Surmonte, of Jacksonville, Fla., and Marybeth Bennett, of Egg Harbor Township, N.J. He had four grandsons and one granddaughter.
He married Jeanette (Wightman) Coffee in 1982. She preceded him in death one month ago to the day.
Online condolences can be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is serving the family.