Dr. Mark J. Rollo

Fitchburg - Dr. Mark Joseph Rollo, 72, passed into eternal life unexpectedly on Friday, August 19, 2022 with his wife Annette by his side. Mark and Annette had spent an idyllic day celebrating 49 years of marriage. Mark joins his parents, Quintino and Claire (LaFray) Rollo, and his infant son Timothy in his heavenly home. Mark leaves behind his wife, Annette, along with their three living children of whom he was very proud and who followed in his footsteps in healthcare: Dorothy Rollo (RN) of Fitchburg, MA; Quin Rollo (LMHC) and his wife Megan of Fitchburg, MA, and Madeline Doyle (DPT) and her husband Derek of South Kingstown, RI. As well as being a dedicated son, husband, and father, Mark was also a beloved brother to John Rollo and his wife Anne of Deperes, MO, Frank Rollo and his wife Stephanie of Queensbury, NY, James Rollo and his wife Rhonda of Norfolk, VA, Paul Rollo and his wife Margaret of Leicester, MA, and Leslie Ann Capoccia and her husband Jerome of Newport, RI. Mark’s most enjoyable role was being the best Pépé to 9 grandchildren: Cedrick, Raquel, Haeley, Elijah, Gianna, Delina, Marielle, Timothy, and Aila. Mark was also blessed with 3 great-grandchildren: Juliette, Rowen, and one baby boy on the way. Mark was born in Boston, MA on March 13, 1950, the devoted son of Quintino and Claire (LaFray) Rollo. Mark married the love of his life, Annette Claire (Gemme) Rollo, on August 19, 1973. Together they welcomed four children into the world: Dorothy Claire, Timothy Quin, Quin Raymond, and Madeline Lois. Mark’s entire professional life was devoted to caring for and helping others. After graduating the Pre-Med Program at the College of the Holy Cross in 1972, he attained his Masters Degree in Education in 1973 from UMASS Amherst and worked with children with behavioral issues at Spaulding Youth Center in New Hampshire. Subsequently, he earned his Masters Degree in Social Work in 1976 from Boston College and worked with people struggling with mental illness at Northampton State Hospital. In the effort to increase his ability to provide for his growing family, he pondered changing careers to become a doctor. All he needed to hear was the affirmation from his wife asking “Why couldn’t you be?” and the direction of their lives changed dramatically. With the steadfast love, support, and encouragement from his wife, Mark was accepted to Loyola Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago where he was enrolled in the Air Force Health Profession Scholarship Program. After he attained his MD in 1984, he served as a physician in the Air Force at bases located in Maryland, Michigan, South Korea, and upstate New York. Mark and Annette and their three children eventually settled in Fitchburg, MA in 1991 and moved into a home they have resided in ever since. Mark continued to practice medicine as a family physician at Fitchburg Family Practice until 1994 when he then transitioned to Fallon/Reliant Medical Group where he served his community until his retirement in March 2020. Besides raising his family and caring for his patients as a doctor, he was passionate about carrying on his mother’s legacy as a staunch proponent for the pro-life movement. He devoted his time, expertise, and energy as a political advocate and as a volunteer and Member of the Board at Mass Citizens for Life. As a board member, he fought for the end to abortion and was simply overjoyed when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June. His most recent focus had been fighting against Physician-Assisted Suicide. In 2004 he was honored with the Mother Teresa Pro-Life Award from the Diocese of Worcester and in 2016 he was presented with the Life Recognition Award from the Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center in Fitchburg. In his leisure time, Mark enjoyed watching all the New England Sports teams, but especially his Boston Red Sox. Few photos capture more joy than the photo of Mark holding the 2004 World Series trophy—the first one the Red Sox achieved in 86 years. As a young adult, he became skilled as a guitar player, and during his retirement he renewed his boyhood interest in playing the piano. Mark developed quite the green thumb as a retiree, tending to his ever-growing garden of fruits and vegetables often with the assistance of his youngest grandchildren. There was no better sound to his ears than hearing his grandkids exclaim “Pépé!” During the last year and a half Mark delved into radio broadcasting, having been asked to host a show on WQPH, a local Catholic radio station. He called his show “First Do No Harm” in which he imparted knowledge about medical ethics from a Catholic perspective. His Catholic faith guided him in all his earthly endeavors. His favorite scripture passage was “I am the way, the truth, and the life” from John 14:6. Mark lived his life with that scripture engraved on his heart. Calling hours for Mark will be held from 4 to 7 PM on Friday, August 26, 2022 at the Isabelle & Anderson Funeral Home, 316 Clarendon St., Fitchburg. Mark’s funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 10AM at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 84 Salem St., Fitchburg. Burial will follow in St. Bernard Cemetery, Fitchburg. For further information or to leave an online condolence please visit their website at www.andersonfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Massachusetts Citizens for Life, 529 Main St., Boston, MA 02129; Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center, 515 Main St. #1000 Fitchburg, MA 01420; or to St. Anthony of Padua Church 84 Salem St., Fitchburg, MA 01420.

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Dr. Mark J. Rollo

March 13, 1950 - August 19, 2022