Glenn Zurawski

Glenn F. Zurawski, MD, was called home by God on Monday, March 19, 2012. Dr. Zurawski died unexpectedly and peacefully at his home in Palm Springs, California, after a nine and a half year struggle with brain disease and dementia. He was 60 years old.

Dr. Zurawski, the loving son of Myrtle Sager Zurawski and the late Frank Zurawski, was born in Liberty, New York, on August 3, 1951.

Dr. Zurawski was an accomplished pianist and musician who graduated with honors from Liberty Central High School in 1969. His undergraduate studies were accomplished at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, where he initially majored in Music, subsequently switching his major to Biochemistry/Pre-Med. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry, accompanied with a minor in Music (piano) graduating magna cum laude in 1973. Dr. Zurawski earned his medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, NY, in 1977. After completing his internship at University of Southern California/Los Angeles County Medical Center, as well as residency at Moffett Memorial Hospital in San Francisco, CA, he specialized in anesthesiology and general surgery.

After completion of his studies, Dr. Zurawski entered into private practice and affiliated with Mills Memorial Hospital in San Mateo, California. He proceeded to become the C.E.O. of his medical group, Anesthesia Care Associates, and was instrumental in founding one of the first pain control clinics in the San Francisco Bay Peninsula region as well as establishing a new surgery center at the hospital. He was also passionately involved in the care of high risk newborn children focusing on extremely intricate neo-natal anesthesia, and was instrumental in developing new surgical anesthesia technologies for their care. His findings, experience and innovations were published in leading medical journals. During this exceptionally busy and active period of his life, Dr. Zurawski returned to college and earned his Master's degree in Hospital Administration from the University of San Francisco, graduating Summa Cum Laude having achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA. Dr. Zurawski also served as an Adjunct Professor of Anesthesiology at California State University, Berkley. Prior to this retirement, he practiced for several years at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. During his highly productive career, he treated thousands of patients and was involved and instrumental in many advances and innovations in his specialty.

Dr. Zurawski held memberships and leadership positions in numerous organizations, including the California Society of Anesthesiologists, serving a term as Speaker. He also was a member of the California Medical Association, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and the American Medical Association, of which he was an alternate national delegate for the California delegation and was past President of the Northern California chapter of AMA. Glenn was devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, and deeply loved his family and friends. He was extremely compassionate to his patients, and was committed to helping all. Glenn enjoyed traveling immensely, and extensively explored Hawaii, Europe, Asia, and Australia. He was able to share several of these exceptional trips with his mother as well. He also was an excellent skier, golfer, and tennis player. Mountain biking was his favorite sport, and he participated in numerous competitive events as well as many cycling trips throughout California, the Rocky Mountains, and the French and Italian Alps.

Glenn is survived by his mother of Liberty, NY, his sister, Karen Zurawski of Albany, NY, his brother John Zurawski of Liberty, NY and Hamlet, NC, Aunt Kathryn Sager of Liberty, NY, Uncle Walter Zurawski, Jr. of Manville, NJ, and many cousins and close friends. The Zurawski family would like to thank all of the fire caregivers, medical, and legal personnel in Palm Springs, CA that helped care for Glenn during his illness, and especially his Conservator Rodney Drew whose expertise, professionalism, and caring were exceptional; close friends and former business manager, Cathy Flores; and above all, chief caregiver Rick Zollars, whose patience, compassion, and devotion were priceless and unwavering during the past nine and one half years.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 29, 2012 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM in the Harris Funeral Home West St. at Buckley, Liberty, NY.

Funeral services will be Friday, March 30, 2012 at 11 AM in St. Paul's Lutheran Church Chestnut St. Liberty, NY. The Rev. Johanna Andritz will officiate.

Burial will be in the family plot in the Liberty Cemetery, Liberty, NY.

Memorial contributions in Glenn's name may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church 24 Chestnut St. Liberty, NY 12754 or to the Alzheimer's Assoc. Mid-Hudson Chapter 2 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 103, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, West St. at Buckley Liberty, NY. 845-292-0001 or 845-439-5200 www-Harris-FH.com