Obituary of Heracleo Magbanua Alabado, M.D.

Dr. Heracleo M. Alabado, 81, of South Orange died in the hospital on Jan. 24, 2008. He was the son of the late Nicolasa Magbanua and Cirilo Dy Alabado. Dr. Alabado was born in Culasi, Antique Province, Philippines, on Oct. 22, 1926. Japanese occupation interrupted his schooling, but after pre-med at Ilollo College, in 1957 he graduated with an M.D. degree from the University of Santo Tomas. After an internship at Manilas University Hospital, he came to the States, interned at Overlook Hospital and was a resident and chief resident in medicine and then fellow in cardiology at Orange Memorial Hospital. After briefly practicing in Culasi, he returned to New Jersey and was an emergency room physician or hospitalist at various hospitals, most recently at Mountainside Hospital for 20 years. He retired in 1996. Gentle, sensitive and giving, To-To had a mordant wit. A gourmet chef, he loved dinner parties at home, classical music and gardening. He fed homeless cats, of which four adoptees survive with his friend of four decades, William Sharpe, to mourn him. He is survived by nieces and nephews in the Philippines, where burial and Catholic services will take place. Cremation was private. Arrangements are by the Preston Funeral Home, South Orange. Memorial gifts to your favorite charity will be appreciated.