Sergio V. Proserpi

Dr. Sergio Vincent Proserpi, 75, a leader in the development of plastic surgery in the Berks County area, died Aug. 7 at 6 a.m. in his Cumru Township residence.

He was the husband of Penelope P. (Pattrill) Proserpi.

Born in Bergamo, Italy, he was a son of the late Carlo and Maria (Rossetti) Proserpi.

Proserpi founded and held the position of chief of the plastic surgery departments of Reading Hospital, St. Joseph Medical Center and Community General Hospital from 1961 until 1993.

He also worked in the same capacity from 1965 until 1975 at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.

Proserpi additionally founded the cleft palate clinic of Reading Hospital in 1965.

He was on the staff at Reading Hospital for a total of 43 years, retiring in April 2004 as the oldest active staff member with surgical privileges.

Proserpi was the youngest person on record at 21 to complete his medical studies at the University of Milan in Italy.

He started his career at the Institute of Surgical Pathology of the University of Milan in 1951, later serving a residency at Jersey City Medical Center, N.J., and interning at Columbus Hospital, New York City.

Proserpi completed a residency in plastic surgery at the Graduate Hospital of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia; served as assistant surgical resident at Union Memorial in Baltimore; and was chief resident of plastic surgery for the University of Pennsylvania Hospital before attaining his citizenship in 1960.

He was named diplomate of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in 1963 and later served on the board of the American Cancer Society.

Proserpi was awarded the honorary title "Grand Official of the Italian Republic" in 2003.

He was a member of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, Reading.

Also surviving is a brother, Marco C., Wyomissing.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 11 a.m. in Holy Rosary Church. Private burial will be in Oxford Cemetery, Oxford, Md. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., West Reading, is in charge of arrangements.