Dr. Frank Anthony Ariosta

Dr. Frank Anthony Ariosta, a respected orthopedic surgeon at Staten Island University Hospital for more than 40 years, died in Morristown Medical Center, New Jersey after years of defying death, and after a more recent 4 month hospitalization. He was 85 and died on August 9th.

Frank Anthony Ariosta was born July 7, 1938 to Lea (Mestichelli) and Anthony “Tony” Ariosta of Dongan Hills, Staten Island, New York, although his heart found home both in Staten Island and the family home on Tennanah Lake in Roscoe, NY. His parents loved to travel and by the time he was 25 years old, he had already visited Italy, France, Switzerland, Spain and Germany. He sailed with his parents on such famous ships as the Andrea Doria and the Chistopher Colombo.

As a child, Frank attended Notre Dame Academy, Staten Island Academy and graduated from Delbarton High School (’56). He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Science from Wagner College (’62) and his Medical degree from NY Medical College (’67), and was licensed to practice medicine and surgery by the University of the State of New York (’68). He served in the US Navy Reserve from 1967 to 1971.

Dr. Ariosta was employed by Staten Island Hospital of Stapleton in 1968 and in the early 1970’s performed the first hip replacement ever performed in Staten Island. He was a renowned and respected surgeon beloved by many patients. In 1989, he was appointed Orthopedic Chief at Staten Island University Hospital and lead the center for Joint Reconstruction until his early retirement. He shared a private practice with Dr. Stephen Pollack and Dr. David Drucker.

In 1962, he married his college sweetheart, Ann Marie Costantino, daughter of Angelo Costantino and Flora Mella. Their first daughter, Leanne was born in 1966 and their second, Cynthia in 1971. Their lives were filled with food, fine dining, dancing, travel and great parties. Their grandchildren, Gregory and Alex were born in 1999 and 2001 respectively.

In 2001, Frank married his best friend Peggy Thony. They shared a passion for horses, raising thoroughbreds for the track, the great outdoors. Together they built Skytop Farms in Freemont Center, NY, a boutique farm best known for breeding thoroughbred race horses. Frank raised Peggy’s children Sarah and Andy as his own. Their grandchild, Henry, was born in 2018.

When Frank wasn’t performing surgery, he could be found either in the Catskills, boating, hunting, working on the farm, snowmobiling or in his greenhouses, where he loved to grow and cultivate orchids.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Ariosta, daughters Leanne Lucarelli, Cynthia Ariosta (Bill Upson) and Sarah Fox (David), and stepson Andy, grandsons Gregory Lucarelli, Alex Lucarelli, Henry Fox, first wife Ann Ariosta, his sister in law Bernadette Puleo (Eugene), his niece Larissa Carroll (Tim Holmes), and nephews Tommy Costantino (Denise) and Vinny Costantino (Genine).

A visitation for Frank will be held Sunday, August 13, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Virginia Funeral Chapel, 350 Slosson Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314. A funeral mass will occur Monday, August 14, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM at St. Ann Roman Catholic Church, 101 Cromwell Ave, Staten Island, NY 10304.

Graveside services and burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Obernburg, NY.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Frank's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html and Shriners Hospital for Children, https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/giving.

Local funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, Railroad Ave. Roscoe, NY 607-498-4929 or 845-439-5200 or www.Harris-FH.com