"They say life is short," he once pensively remarked over a pipe of black Cavendish tobacco, "but not if you know how to squeeze all the juice out of it, like a ripe tomato on a perfect Pennsylvanian afternoon."
Dr. Francis "Frank" Altomare, Jr., 87, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 after a courageous fight against terminal cancer.

A descendant of Calabrian bricklayers, Frank was born Apr. 17, 1932 in Philadelphia, Pa. After several years working for the family business, he set his eyes on farther stars than the horizons of Philadelphia. Frank would go on to graduate from Villanova University, before attending medical school at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, placing at the tops of his classes at both institutions—at one point teaching the physics classes during a professors' absence, an anecdote he enjoyed retelling over the years. After achieving his MD, Frank would go on to complete his residency in radiology at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pa., where he met the love of his life, Mildred Ruth Conrad of Scranton, Pa. They would marry Oct. 7, 1961 and share 58 years of marriage, dedication, and companionship.

A pioneer in the field of nuclear medicine, Frank would dedicate [50+] years to clinical practice, contributing to innovations in imaging technology whilst also becoming a longtime fixture at Sacred Heart Hospital in Allentown, Pa., where he was beloved for his quick wit, generosity, and professionalism.
As a world-renowned physician, he traveled widely, participating in conferences around the globe from San Francisco to St. Petersburg, Russia.

An aficionado of the finer things in this life, Frank enjoyed numismatics, gardening, and remained a voracious reader of science-fiction until the end. He was also a lifelong skier and golfer, sports he shared with his sons, daughter, and grandsons over the years, activities he continued until well into his seventies.
Frank is preceded in death by his parents Francis and Helen Altomare, sister Marie Tomé, and brother Robert "Bobby" Altomare.

He is survived by his loving wife Millie Altomare, sons Francis "Joe" of Deerfield Beach, Fla. and John of Orlando, Fla., devoted daughter Laura of Allentown, Pa., and grandsons Francis, Jordan, Kyle, Bryce, Chase, and Jackson. He is also survived by his brother Philip Altomare, of Philadelphia and sister Nancy, of Philadelphia, as well as by multitudes of nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, lifelong friends, and colleagues.

Services: Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Tuesday, Aug. 27th from 10-12:00 Noon followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 Noon all from St. Thomas More R. C. Church, 1040 Flexer Ave., Allentown, PA. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. Luke's Hospice, C/O Development Office, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015, would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to JAMES FUNERAL HOME, Bethlehem. More info at www.jamesfuneralhome.org.