Saverio Salvatore Bentivegna, M.D., FACS
Father, Surgeon, Teacher
Dr. Saverio S. “Sal” Bentivegna (Dr. B) passed away peacefully at age 90 on November 9th, 2017. Born October 5th 1927 to Pietro and Guiseppina Bentivegna who were Italian immigrants, he was raised in Brooklyn, and attended Boys High and St. Johns College. He spent his first year of Medical School at Boston University. His transfer to and graduation from New York Medical College in 1950 was a turning point in his career. A medical internship and General Surgery residency at Flower and Fifth Avenue Hospital and Metropolitan Hospital in NYC prepared him for a two years in the Army Medical Corp as a Captain from 1957-1959.
He returned to New York City as an Associate Professor of Surgery at New York Medical College and rose in the academic ranks to full clinical professor, and Senior Associate Dean responsible for medical student surgical education, the 5th Pathway program, and Continuing Medical Education for the College.
He settled with his family in Chappaqua, commuting to NYC to teach and practice until the Medical School moved to Valhalla and the Westchester Medical Center was constructed. From there he helped develop a world class medical campus, a tertiary care center, and a children’s hospital.
Teaching remained his first love. He guided many through the rigors of general surgery and specialty training. He was always available for advice and all benefited from his wisdom and perspective. He was keenly interested in his students’ achievements and adventures.
In 1956 he married Patricia Connelly, RN and raised two sons, Peter Edward and Michael Patrick. For the past thirty-three years, he was married to Kathleen Kalosky and continued living in Chappaqua, working at New York Medical College until his surgical retirement at the age of 73, and subsequently retiring from the Dean’s office at age of 87.
During his 67 years at New York Medical College, he was the recipient of many awards from the College including the Distinguished Service Award and the coveted William Cullen Bryant Award. Community Awards included the Honor Legion of NYC Police Department and Public Service Award from the American Committee for Italian Migration. He served on multiple boards as a director including the American College of Surgeons Board of Governors, New York State Board of Medicine and many other local organizations. He established the Bentivegna Family Award and Scholarship in memory of his parents that is awarded to a graduating medical student with honors in surgery entering the surgical field.
He leaves behind his wife Kathleen, who cared for him with great love and compassion, his son Peter E. Bentivegna MD, FACS and wife, Laurie, of Osterville, Massachusetts his son Michael P. Bentivegna and his wife, Wendy, of Southport, Connecticut, and his five grandchildren, Matthew, Devon, Kevin, Brittney and Morgan.
The Family will receive friends and family at the Beecher Flooks Funeral Home on Tuesday from 2- 4PM and 7 - 9PM. A Mass of the Christian burial will take be celebrated Wednesday at 10AM at Church of St John & St Mary (Little Church). An Entombment will immediately follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Bentivegna Family Award and Scholarship at the New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York.