Mr. Rodrigo Santamarina MD

Rodrigo Santamarina, MD, 1969-2017 Pittsfield, 48 years young, passed away peacefully and surrounded by infinite love on October 23rd, 2017 at Berkshire Medical Center after a most heroic and courageous battle with Cholangiocarcinoma. Rodrigo, the youngest son of Fernando Santamarina and Yolanda Novella, was born and raised in Guatemala City, Guatemala along with his siblings Virginia and Juan Fernando. He graduated from UFM Medical School in Guatemala City in 1995 and completed a Residency in General Surgery at San Juan de Dios Hospital. In 1998 he moved to Baltimore, MD determined to pursue his goal of becoming a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. In 1999 the Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) opened its doors to him and welcomed him with the opportunity to train for a second time in General Surgery. In 2000 he married his wife Regina María Echeverría. Their two kids, Daniella (15) and Gabriel (13) were born in Pittsfield during this second residency at BMC. Once he finished this training in General Surgery, he moved to Worcester to complete two fellowships at UMASS: Hand Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He came back to the Berkshires in 2008, this time to work as an attending physician at BMC. In October 2015 he opened his private practice, Santamarina Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery. In 2012 he unveiled a hidden talent as an artist; with gifted hands and a mind that had a unique concept of harmony and beauty, he started to paint and let his creativity reach a new level. His demeanor earned him countless friends along his life, but his family was his most precious treasure. He was a loving father, as proud as he could possibly be of his two kids and their accomplishments. His wife and best friend stood by him supporting and loving him along every step of his way. FUNERAL NOTICE A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Thursday at 1:00 P.M. at St. Joseph Church by Rev. Msgr. Michael Shershanovich, Pastor. Calling hours will precede the service beginning at 10:00 A.M. at the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory are appreciated and can be made to the Daniella and Gabriel Santamarina Education Fund in care of the funeral home. DONATIONS CANNOT BE MADE ONLINE, BUT MAY BE MADE THROUGH THE FUNERAL HOME.

Mr. Rodrigo Santamarina MD

May 16, 1969 - October 23, 2017