Dr. Rodolfo Lazo Furigay

Dr. Rodolfo Lazo “Rudy” Furigay was born on August 24, 1938 in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines, and passed away on February 21, 2020, at the age of 81. He is survived by three children, eight grandchildren, and nine siblings. A hard-working student, deeply devoted Catholic, and eldest of ten, from humble beginnings in a rural Philippine province, Rudy earned his M.D. from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila in 1961. He came to the United States in 1963 in pursuit of greater opportunity, and while an intern at Quincy City Hospital in MA, met a nursing student named Peggy Reardon who would become his wife and a mother to their three children. Continued medical training would draw the young family to New York City and Syracuse, and finally to Windber, PA, where they built a house and put down roots. In Windber, in addition to a decent golf game and regular order at Rizzo’s,  Rudy built a respected surgical practice and developed a deep connection to a community of faith. Disciplined and hard-working, he showed his abiding love to family and friends through enduring support, an impeccable work ethic, and a quiet, steady presence. He was committed to serving both humanity and God to the best of his abilities. Professionally, Rudy was a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. A member of the Cambria County Medical Society, he served as a Delegate to the Pennsylvania Medical Society House of Delegates. He was also a recipient of the Apollo Award of the Community Foundation of the Alleghenies and an inductee to the Windber Hall of Fame. He worshiped at St. Anthony of Padua Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Holy Name Society.  He volunteered as a Hospitalier at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in Lourdes, France, participated in yearly medical-surgical missions in the Philippines, and was the recipient of the Prince Gallitzin Cross Award and the Monsignor William H. Griffin Humanitarian Award, both of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Throughout his life, Rudy enjoyed travel, service work, golf, good food and drink, and, as he got older, long walks with his grown children. Most of all, he loved any time spent with family. True to a man who reflected often and found comfort in thorough preparation, Rudy created lists and directives that he updated and filed on a regular basis. Among other things, in his words, upon his passing he wanted to thank Windber, which welcomed him and gave him the opportunity to serve as a practicing surgeon for 45 years. He was proud to call Windber his home. To those with whom he shared his rich journey, as parting words he wished to echo the sentiment of St. Pope John XXIII:For those I may have wronged, I ask for forgiveness; For those I have helped, I wish I could have done more; For those I could not help, I ask for understanding; For those who have helped me, I am grateful for all. Amen. Private visitation and Funeral mass will be held for his family at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Windber. Arrangements entrusted to Meek & Dalla Valle Funeral Home, Windber. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Philippine-American Medical Society of Western Pennsylvania (PAMS of WPA) C/O PAMS Treasurer, Ernie de las Alas, MD, 227 Hospital Drive Everett, PA 15537.

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