Dr. Richard J. Fugo

Dr. Richard J. Fugo passed away peacefully on March 14, 2020 with family by his side at Einstein Memorial Hospital. He was born in Norristown, PA on May 10th, 1947, and raised by his parents, Elsie Fugo (née Denick) & Alfred Fugo, a hard-working first-generation Italian-American family in Bridgeport, PA. In addition to his parents and three siblings, he was blessed with the extra loving care of his three aunts, Mary Romasco (née Denick), Margaret “Marg” Denick, and Janet Denick, who were very near and dear to him throughout his life. Richard always had a passion for books and science. As early as high school, he won multiple science fairs, received scholarships, and won awards for academic excellence such as the Junior Scientist of America Award. He was a graduate of Bishop Kenrick High School and went on to complete his undergraduate education in Biology at the University of Pittsburgh, a Master’s Degree in Biology at Villanova University, and a Ph.D. in Human Physiology at Thomas Jefferson Medical College. He then attended medical school at the University of Bologna in Italy where he spent 6 of his most treasured years living abroad with his wife, connecting with his heritage, and making lifelong friends. Richard returned to the Philadelphia area to complete his residency in Ophthalmology at Hahnemann Hospital. In 1985, he opened the doors to his medical practice FUGO EYE INSTITUTE in Norristown where he served his community and patients faithfully as a general ophthalmologist and renowned eye surgeon. He was committed to maintaining a “family feel” in his practice and he treasured his staff whom he considered to be part of his extended family. As a result, many of his patients had been in his practice for over 20 years and were saddened to learn that he was retiring in December 2019. He was known for spending extensive time with his patients, knowing them and their family members by name, and providing excellent care in the work that he treasured so greatly. Outside of his clinical practice, Richard’s passion for his field led him to become the chief medical editor for multiple medical journals, publish numerous medical articles, co-author a medical textbook called the “Ocular Applications of the Fugo Blade“, lecture at major international medical conferences, and most notably, invent a medical device called the Fugo Blade. The Fugo Blade was the first plasma ablation system that created precise low-energy incisions on the ocular surface and within the human eye to receive FDA clearance. In his spare time, he enjoyed a good plate of home-cooked pasta (cooked al dente), listening to Frank Sinatra and the Three Tenors, enjoying coffee with his close friends, doing “handyman projects” on his home, reading medical textbooks, and spending time with his family at his tranquil vacation home by the Chesapeake Bay. Richard is survived by his wife, Marie Fugo (neé Billetta); his daughters, Jennifer Fugo and Nicole Fugo-Zibelman, his son-in-laws, Nicholas Gresh and Chad Zibelman; his granddaughters, Lila and Suniya; and his siblings, Elaine Rado (née Fugo) and Robert Fugo. He is preceded in death by his eldest brother, John “Jack” Fugo. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Richard’s name to Einstein Montgomery Hospice, 1330 Powell Street, Ste 100, Norristown, PA 19401. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Details for the event will be shared once finalized. Funeral arrangements are by The Bacchi Funeral Home & Crematory, Ltd., Bridgeport, PA www.bacchifh.com