Dr. Harry John D'Agostino, Jr.

Dr. Harry J. D'Agostino, Jr. passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 8th, 2022, while vacationing with his family in Lake George, NY.

Born January 11, 1957, in Albany, NY. He is survived by his loving wife Carman Koch D'Agostino, his son Harry John D'Agostino III (Washington DC), and his daughter Catherine Kelly D'Agostino (Canton, OH).

Dr. Harry was the son of the late Harry, Sr. and Jan D'Agostino (nee: Weiss). He was a dear brother to Dee D'Agostino (Mike) Cassidy and Jim (Renee) D'Agostino. Dr. Harry was a beloved brother-in-law to Janine (Frank) Neel, Sheelagh (Steve) Bingham, Karl Koch, Mike Cassidy, and Renee D'Agostino. He was a cherished uncle to Caroline Cassidy, Parker Cassidy, Lauren D'Agostino, Rachel Ostertag (Neel), and Audrey Neel, a great uncle to Sophie and Hans Ostertag. Other survivors include his Aunt Joan (George) Buhrmaster, Uncle John Weiss, and cousins Deidre (Jeff) Bulick, John Vons (Genie), and Jeff Buhrmaster (Chrissy), and cherished friends, Clara Ervin,

Amaya Gibson, along with many friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

Dr. Harry grew up in Albany, New York and studied pre-med at Harvard College in Cambridge, MA and graduated in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in Biology. He graduated from Duke University Medical School in Durham, NC in 1983 and completed his Surgical residency at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. Dr. Harry went on to complete two fellowships in Cardiothoracic Surgery and Heart Transplantation at Kansas University Medical Center and University of California Los Angeles.

Dr. Harry met his beautiful wife Carman on a blind date, which he set up himself over the phone, in Kansas City. Dr. Harry and Carman settled in Jacksonville, Florida after their marriage in 1996.

Dr. Harry left an indelible mark on University of Florida/Shands and Wolfson Children's Hospitals in Jacksonville. Not only did he perform the first ever heart transplant in Jacksonville, but he also established the Thoracic Oncology Program (TOPS) at Shands and performed countless cardiac surgeries on young infants and children at the children's hospital.

In 2015, Dr. Harry began working at Aultman Hospital in Canton, Ohio as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon for the Aultman Deuble Heart and Vascular Hospital, where he continued to refine his specialty in minimally invasive and pulmonary surgery. He cared deeply for each and every one of his patients, especially those underserved in the community.

Dr. Harry was a member of several professional organizations which included American College of Surgeons, American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, International Society for Heart and Lung Transplants, Stark County Medical Society, and the American Guild of Organists.

Dr. Harry was unwaveringly humble and dedicated to his work, with a caring heart and kind nature. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word.

An exceptionally talented musician, Dr. Harry was highly trained and skilled both in the piano and organ and continually practiced his faith by leading church choirs in his

youth and through medical school. Music was a large part of his life, Dr. Harry performed at his own medical school graduation on the Duke Chapel organ, and at St. Joachim's Church in Missouri on his wedding day. He played at countless masses and medical fundraisers while in Jacksonville, such as "Doctors After Dark." Dr. Harry was honored to play at his daughter Catherine's graduation ceremony as well. He was highly active in music in his community, attending many symphonies in both Jacksonville and Canton with his family. Dr. Harry spread his love for music to his wife and children as well. He often played Carman's favorite, "Claire De Lune," especially on their September 14th wedding anniversary. He serenaded his family and friends on their birthdays and created a special "spinning song" for little Catherine to dance prior to her bedtime.

Family time was an integral part of Harry's life as a devoted husband and father. He made it a point to be at his children's doctor's appointments, school performances, and dance recitals with Catherine throughout her early years and into college. Harry attended young Harry's soccer and lacrosse games and enjoyed watching him play lacrosse in college. He was a proud Dad at every moment. Harry was always excited for family game nights, and it was no surprise when he won Monopoly and Mille Bornes. He was excellent at Sudoku as well and could often be found working out puzzles well into the evenings.

Harry had a passion for water activities: snorkeling, boating, sailing, and fishing. He passed that love on to young Harry, who accompanied him on many early morning boating and fishing trips in the summertime.

Dr. Harry will be dearly missed by the many people he impacted. Though the pain of his passing is great, the joy he carried throughout his life is insurmountable, and will continue to shine onto his loved ones.

A memorial mass is planned at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church at 3430 St Michaels Blvd NW, Canton, OH 44718 on Friday, August 19th. Calling hours will be from 10am-11am EST, with the Funeral Mass being held at 11am. The service will also be live streamed on St. Michael's website at stmichaelcanton.org. A Celebration of Life meal will follow the Mass in the Fannon Center.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations can be made to the music programs at St. Peter's Church in Albany, New York, and St. Michael's the Archangel Catholic Church in Canton Ohio, with Dr. Harry D'Agostino, Jr. mentioned in the memo line.