OBITUARY | Augustine 'Augie' Pirolli

Augustine “Augie” Pirolli, 84, of Longboat Key and formerly of Blue Anchor, N.J., died Aug. 15.

Born in 1930, in South Philadelphia, where he spent his early years with his two sisters and one brother, Mr. Pirolli later moved to Atco, N.J. and attended Overbrook Regional High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in England. He married his wife, Dottie, while in the service. After serving four years in England, he received an honorable discharge with the rank of sergeant. He then attended Rutgers College and obtained a degree in business administration.

Mr. Pirolli served as administrator of Valley General Hospital, in Audubon, N.J., from 1961 to 1965. He was instrumental in the planning and construction of the original John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, in Stratford, N.J. Under his leadership Kennedy grew from a 99-bed community hospital in Stratford to a 607-bed multihospital system. From 1981 through May 1992, he served as president of Kennedy Memorial Hospitals — University Medical Center and became president emeritus in May 1992, a title he held until his retirement on Jan. 1, 1997.

Mr. Pirolli was a past chairman of the New Jersey Hospital Association, the American Osteopathic Hospital Association and the Southern New Jersey Hospital Council. He was also the recipient of the Award of Merit from the American Osteopathic Hospital Association in 1989, as well as the Distinguished Service Award of the American College of Osteopathic Hospital Administrators in 1982.

Mr. Pirolli enjoyed swimming, gardening and playing tennis. He supported his children and grandchildren in their multiple extracurricular activities. He enjoyed watching the string bands and was an avid Philadelphia Eagles football fan. He enjoyed several years of his retirement on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Mr. Pirolli is survived by his beloved wife, Dorothy; children, Karen Cramer, John Pirolli, Anita Giberson and Charles Pirolli; sister, Barbara Chalk; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, in Atco, N.J. A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m., and an interment of ashes will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kennedy Health Care Foundation, 1099 White Horse Road, Voorhees, N.J. 08043, or the Rowan University Foundation for Alzheimer’s Research, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, N.J. 08028.