Thomas J. Laplaca

Thomas J. LaPlaca, MD

Thomas J. LaPlaca, 68, of Rutland Town died Sunday September 18, 2016 at home after a courageous battle with cancer. Born March 21, 1948, he was the son of Thomas J. LaPlaca Sr. and Nicolena Francesca Foti LaPlaca.

He graduated from Saint Peter School and Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Rutland. He subsequently graduated from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Science degree, followed by graduation from the University of Vermont College of Medicine with the degree of Doctor of Medicine.

Dr. LaPlaca continued his post graduate training in Internal Medicine, completing a three year internship and residency program at the Worcester City Hospital/University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. He practiced internal medicine in Rutland, Vermont for five years before returning to UMass Medical Center for a two year residency in Anesthesiology, followed by a one year fellowship in cardiac anesthesia and pain control.

After a board certification in Anesthesiology, Dr. LaPlaca began the practice of Anesthesiology with Dr. Morgan Lewis at the Rutland Regional Medical Center where their professional corporation, Mid-Vermont Anesthesia, provided anesthesia services for 20 years.

Dr. LaPlaca continued to practice anesthesia at the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Massachusetts for over eight years where he was privileged to develop and enjoy many, many wonderful friendships. Prior to his retirement, Dr. LaPlaca enjoyed a six month tenure in Tuscon, Arizona where he worked at The Saint Mary Carondelet Vascular Center.

He was predeceased by both parents, his sister, Louisa Mary LaPlaca, a cousin, Marybeth Foti Pisanelli, all of Rutland and his mother in law, Joan Cunningham, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. Dr. LaPlaca is survived by his devoted wife of over thirty years, Linda Cunningham LaPlaca, a loving son, Anthony J. LaPlaca, an attorney in Washington, DC, and a loving daughter, Eda Maria LaPlaca, a marketing professional for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in Boston, Massachusetts.

He is survived by multiple cousins, nieces and nephews from the LaPlaca and Foti families.

He is also survived by his father-in-law, James Cunningham, Sr., sisters-in-law Nancy Sullivan and her husband, Francis, Christine Cobis and her husband, Frank, brothers-in-law, Thomas Cunningham and his wife, Jeanne, and Jim Cunningham and his wife, Lisa, and their families.

Friends may call at the Clifford Funeral home in Rutland, Vermont on Friday September 23, from 3:00-7:00 pm. A funeral mass will be held at Saint Peter’s Church, Rutland, Vermont on Saturday at 11:00am with a burial at Calvary Cemetery to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Mount Saint Joseph Academy Scholarship Fund, 127 Convent Avenue, Rutland, VT 05701 OR The Sisters of Saint Joseph of
Springfield, MA, 577 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or the charity of one’s choice.