- Date Of Birth: September 23, 1924
- Date Of Death: December 30, 2022
- State: New Jersey
Dr. Hermenegildo D. Ante, Prominent Surgeon, Passes at 98
Dr. Hermenegildo D. Ante, 98, of Shrewsbury, NJ, passed away on December 30, 2022. He left this world peacefully at Monmouth Medical Center while surrounded by his three children — Spencer, Nicole and Allison — and loving former wife and mother of his children, Leslie Schoengold.
Dr. Ante was born on Sep. 23, 1924 in Cotabato, Philippines. He was the oldest son of Bibiano and Dolores Ante, and had 10 brothers and sisters. Dr. Ante learned the value of family, discipline and hard work while growing up in a strict military household. His father was a provincial commander and later retired as a General in the Philippine Army after serving in World War II and surviving the Bataan Death March and a Japanese concentration camp.
Inspired by his Uncle Stephan who was a physician in Cotabato, Dr. Ante earned his doctor of medicine degree from Manila Central University, where he specialized in surgery. He immigrated to America in 1957 to seek out the best medical technology and training in the world and to make a better life.
He interned and did a residency in general surgery at Fordham Hospital, then did another residency in urology at Morrisania Hospital. There, he met his future wife, Leslie Lowenstein, then the secretary to the Chief Anesthesiologist. They married in 1965, bought a house in Westbury, Long Island and had three children: Spencer, Nicole and Allison. Dr. Ante practiced at Central Suffolk Hospital in Riverhead and North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. In 1977, the family moved to Marlboro, NJ to cut down on the commute to St. Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ where he worked as a general surgeon for many years.
Dr. Ante worked 80 hours a week and was very well respected among his peers and community. He also worked at other hospitals over a distinguished 50-year career, including South Amboy Memorial Medical Center and Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center. Dr. Ante was known for his charming bedside manner and incredible generosity with his family and friends, supporting many family needs, frequently offering medical advice and doing house calls for friends and relatives.
He leaves his three children and five grandchildren: Douglas Goldsmith, Gil Goldsmith, Natalie Goldsmith, Justine Ante and Alexander Ante; as well as countless relatives, friends and former colleagues. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Father Joseph Ante, Marcial, Carmelo, and sisters Vicky, Clementine, Gloria. He is survived by sisters Lourdes and Sister Tita, and brother Tony.
