Alessandro Giovanni Smeraldi

Alessandro Giovanni Smeraldi, MD age 52 of South Abington Township passed away on Sunday after a courageous and well-fought battle against colon cancer.

Alessandro was born in Queens, New York to Erika Smeraldi on October 2, 1972. Surviving are his wife Gail Bedell Smeraldi, a daughter Hayley and a son Caleb. He is also survived by his mother; two sisters, Silvia Fiumara and Teresa Smeraldi; sister-in-law Elaine Bedell; and his mother-in-law Sylvia Bedell.

Alessandro started his love for education and learning at St. Bernards School in NYC and then The Collegiate School for Boys in NYC (1986-1990). He then attended Swarthmore College from 1990-1994 where he decided to attend medical school and pursue being a physician.  He was educated at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, NY from 1994-1998 and found his love of surgery and helping people with his hands.  He then did his 5-year surgical residency at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ where he met Gail Bedell who would later become his wife.  Alessandro finished his surgical expertise during a 2 year Vascular/Endovascular Surgical  fellowship at Staten Island University Hospital from 2002-2005.

Alessandro and Gail were married in 2002 and moved from New Jersey to Clarks Summit in 2005 where he started his almost 20-year career as vascular surgeon in Scranton.  Alessandro truly loved his job.  He went to work every day and enjoyed helping people by applying his knowledge and skill.  In the hours that he spent at CMC/GCMC he developed a large work family.  These people were truly part of his and our family.  The connections that he made as a surgeon with other medical professionals, as well as everyone in every part of the hospital, is why he was so loved. He gave his expertise and time to others and made everyone feel important. He spent hours at the bedside talking with patients, listening to their stories and just letting them know that they mattered.  Vascular surgery was his career, but not his life.

His best accomplishment in life was being a father to Hayley and Caleb.  He loved them like no one else.  He squeezed in every moment that he could when he wasn't at work to do things with them.  He read them books, he talked to them about things, they went to Target for "impulse buys", Mannings for a quick ice cream and was just all around the fun dad.   The connection that he had with them was like no other.  They will carry with them forever his amazing sense of humor, his love of adventure and constant yearning to learn new things.  He was so happy that he was able to see Skidmore as Hayley started her freshman year of college. He also taught Caleb how to drive during the time that he was home over these last few months and Alessandro cherished that time in the car with him.  He will be forever their guardian angel, guiding them through life and steering them towards the best choices.

Gail will forever be his greatest supporter, companion and best friend.  The two of them had many adventures during their almost 23 years of marriage and created an amazing family.  The trips to Cape May are by far some of the best times that they all spent together in their home away from home.  Gail will continue to be a great mother and support to Hayley and Caleb and constantly remind them of how much Alessandro loved them all.  They were a team and stared cancer in the face and laughed at it.

Alessandro's family would like to thank the following: Dr. Tim Farrell and Dr. Jay Bannon for giving us a chance 4.5 years ago when you saved his life, Dr. Michael Kondash for caring for AGS and our whole family through the roller coaster of cancer, Dr. Namita Sharma for her care and expertise as she helped us navigate what was best for him, the cancer center staff at Geisinger who took amazing care of him every time he was there, Dr. Chris Peters for his unwavering love, friendship, support and guidance, always guiding us and offering his advice on the next potential treatment, Dr. Lauren Nicholls for helping us to be able to make decisions for our family, the vascular surgery team at Geisinger, the vascular and cath lab, as well as a multitude of people at Geisinger that were his work family for almost 20 years, but are too many to list. The family is also grateful for all of his colleagues at GCMC that supported him, lifted him, and encouraged him to be a better surgeon. He loved you all and I am sure that he has left a mark on GCMC.

In addition, we thank Gail's "village". You know who you are. I know you will be there when the times get tough to carry me through.

Friends and family may pay their respects on Wednesday from 3 pm to 7 pm at Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 418 South State Street, Clarks Summit. A private service will be held in the future at the convenience of the family.

Please remember to get your colonoscopy at age 45 or if you have any symptoms as it could save your life or someone else's that you love.  Spreading awareness for colon cancer will continue to be the mission of Alessandro, Gail, Hayley and Caleb.

If you would like to make a donation, please consider Northeast Regional Cancer Institute/ CASUAL Day. (Colon Cancer Awareness Saves Unlimited Adult Lives) 570-904-8808 or www.cancernepa.org