Anthony J. Migliaccio, MD, 83, of Tiverton, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on March 13, 2016, following a courageous battle with several long illnesses. Dr. Migliaccio, known as Tony to his friends and family, and more affectionately as Dr. Mig to his patients, was the beloved husband of Paula (Biagi) Migliaccio. They had been married for 60 years. He was the son of the late Anthony V. Migliaccio, MD, and the late Mary Migliaccio.

Tony graduated from Classical High School in 1950, from Dartmouth College in 1954, and from New York Medical College, with distinction, in 1959. He completed his internship and surgical residency at Rhode Island Hospital, and was elected in 1968 as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Tony loved the practice of medicine and will be remembered most for the extraordinary care he provided his patients. His commitment to ensuring better outcomes led him to write and publish a book focused on better health entitled, “Fitness and Expectations.”  One of his greatest traits was that he often provided medical care wherever and whenever it was needed. Many will remember that his kitchen table was the central location for various minor surgical procedures. He was affiliated with six local hospitals, including Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam Hospital, Roger Williams Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Hospital, as well as several outpatient clinics. Tony was a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Brown University School of Medicine. He was a partner with Northeast Health Care helping pioneer a cost effective alternative to Emergency Room services.

Tony was an accomplished coastal and offshore sailor, having competed in several Annapolis-to-Newport and Newport-to-Bermuda races, including a Marion-to-Bermuda race on his cherished Pearson 43, Demitasse.  A highlight to the trip was the return journey home with his daughter, Susan. Tony founded the Rhode Island International Sailing Association (RIISA), and was a past member of the Narragansett Bay Yachting Association, Twenty Hundred Club and Off Soundings Club. He was a long-time member of Barrington Yacht Club and a past member of the Rhode Island Country Club.  As a staunch environmentalist, he was a past president of Save the Bay.

When Tony wasn’t utilizing his hands in surgery, he had extensive artistic interests in woodworking as a builder of fine furniture. A fond creative activity was his use of scraps of wood from 12 Meter America’s Cup racing yachts and transforming them into unique custom gifts.  He was an accomplished photographer who excelled both behind the lens and in the darkroom. His photographs were featured in many art shows, and one in particular earned a position on the cover of the Providence Sunday Journal’s Magazine. His favorite medium was black and white.  More recently, Tony built remote controlled model airplanes and sailboats, and he helped found the Mount Hope Bay Model Yacht Club. Tony could often be seen at the water’s edge sailing or racing one of his many radio controlled model sailboats. 

For those who knew him, Tony will be most remembered for his attention to detail in all that he accomplished.  His overall goal in life was to challenge his abilities, feed his intellect, and support his family in every way that a devoted loving father could.

Besides his wife, he leaves his four children, Robert Migliaccio and his wife, Brenda, of Barrington; Susan Marszalek, and her husband Stephen, of Barrington; Leslie Mitchell, and her husband David, of Great Barrington, Mass.; and Stephen Migliaccio, and his wife Lisa, of Hingham, Mass. He was a loving grandfather to Kathryn, Elizabeth and Emily Migliaccio, Stefan and Scott Marszalek, Eliza, Isabel and Samie Kate Mitchell, and Andreas, Kalle and Thea Migliaccio, step-grandfather to Sam and Jack Hunter, and great-grandfather to Jackson Marszalek. He was the brother of Sandra Gasbarro, John Migliaccio and the late Loretta DiLuglio. In lieu of flowers, donations to Save the Bay would be greatly appreciated. The funeral will be private with a celebration of his life to be held at a later date. Visit Smithmason.com for online condolences and service information.