Frank Anthony Ariosta, M.D., a pioneer in hip replacement at Staten Island University Hospital, has passed away at the age of 85.
Dr. Ariosta began treating patients at Staten Island Hospital of Stapleton in 1968, and in the early 1970s he performed the first ever hip arthroplasty on Staten Island.
He also was the chief of orthopedics at Staten Island University Hospital and was led the Center for Joint Reconstruction until he retired.
Ariosta shared a private practice with Dr. Stephen Pollack and Dr. David Drucker. He earned his medical degree from New York Medical College in 1967 before serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve until 1971.
Dr. Ariosta was an orthopedic surgical resident at Interfaith Medical Center from 1969 to 1972. Prior to that he was a surgical intern and resident at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell at Staten Island University Hospital.
Ariosta was born July 7, 1938, to Lea and Anthony Ariosta of Dongan Hills in Staten Island, New York. His parents loved to travel so he visited many places in Europe at a young age.
He attended Notre Dame Academy, Staten Island Academy, and Delbarton High School which he graduated from in 1956. He then received his undergraduate science degree from Wagner College in 1962.
When not at the hospital Ariosta loved to spend time in the Catskill Mountains hunting, boating, and working on the farm. He also enjoyed cultivating orchards.
Ariosta was married twice, first in 1962 to his college sweetheart Ann Marie Costantino and then in 2001 to his best friend Peggy Thony.
He and Ann Marie had two daughters together and loved to travel together. He and Peggy built Skytop Farms in Freemont Center in New York where they bred racehorses. He raised Peggy’s children Sarah and Andy as his own.
Ariosta is survived by his wife, Peggy, daughters Leanne Lucarelli, Cynthia Ariosta and Sarah Fox, and stepson Andy. He also leaves behind his grandsons Gregory Lucarelli, Alex Lucarelli, Henry Fox, his first wife Ann Ariosta, his sister-in-law Bernadette Puleo, his niece Larissa Carroll and nephews Tommy Costantino and Vinny Costantino.
