Gianfranco Toso

Gianfranco Toso, 93, passed away on January 31, 2026, at the Reading Hospital. Born in Pordenone, Italy, he was the son of the late Bruno and Vittorina Toso. He attended Medical School at the University of Bologna (1950-1956) and then earned his Doctor of Dentistry at the same institution in honor of his father's profession. During medical school he had a foreign roommate (Vito) from the United States who returned home afterward.

Two years after graduation, he received a letter from St. Francis Hospital in Trenton, NJ inviting him to apply for an intern position. Vito had recommended him to the staff there. Speaking almost no English, he took a leap of faith and started an American medical career that would span 60 years. Following his surgical training, Gianfranco then completed an Otolaryngology residency at Newark Eye & Ear Infirmary. Towards the end of his time there he drove to Reading, PA on recommendation of the nuns from St. Franics and walked into the Reading Hospital to ask if they needed an Otolaryngologist. He was interviewed that day and hired quickly. During the 1960's he would work at both the Reading Hospital and St. Joseph's Medical Center.

Dr. Toso opened his first practice site on N. 5th St. in Reading in 1964, later merging with Dr. David Cope to form the Toso-Cope ENT Clinic in 1969. It was this same year that he met a delightful nurse, Kathleen Fosnocht, whom he would marry on August 1, 1970, spending over 55 years together.

The practice later moved to the Reading Hospital's Doctor's Office Building in West Reading and became the Berks Ears, Nose, & Throat Surgical Associates in 1972. During his career, Dr. Toso served as the Chair of Otolaryngology at the Reading hospital from 1973-1996. Under his direction, in 1986 the Reading Hospital was the first location in Pennsylvania to successfully implant a cochlear implant

He was a longstanding member of the Berks County Medical Society. Gianfranco was a student of history and a polyglot speaking four languages. He enjoyed horseback riding, running, skiing, and traveling with his wife.

Gianfranco is survived by his widow, Kathleen, five children: Cathy Toso; John Toso (Cindy); Susan Lipson (Jeff); Jennifer Focht (Brian); and Marc Toso (Katey Blumenthal), grandchildren, Isabella Toso, Sofia Toso, Dominic Toso, Sienna Lipson, Annie Focht, and Brady Focht.

The funeral service will be held Friday, February 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at Kuhn Funeral Home, West Reading. The viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be private.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc, West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.