Peter Adolph Arturi
In loving memory of Peter Arturi, MD, who passed away on December 7, 2023. A devoted husband, father, grandfather and greatgrandfather, “Dr. Pete” touched the lives of so many with his exceptional medical skills, practical advice, engaging personality and of course, many stories that he was willing to share with anyone who spent time with him.
His contributions to the Greenwich medical community and his willingness to help anyone in need will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him or been under his care.
Peter was born November 10, 1926 in Port Chester, NY to Louis Arturi and Filomena Scarlato, who had emigrated from Italy a few years earlier. Peter always said he was “lucky” to have been born in Port Chester, and as an American citizen. He was proud of his heritage and all that hard work and perseverance can bring to one’s fortune in America – which he instilled in his children. Despite Peter’s prowess on the baseball field and basketball court, he admired the family’s doctor and with his father’s urging pursued a path in medicine. In 1944 he graduated early from Port Chester High School and began commuting to Columbia College in New York City. Despite his father’s protestations, he joined the Navy during WWII, rose to the rank of Pharmacist’s mate, and was discharged honorably in 1946. Peter graduated from Columbia in 1948 and, using the GI Bill, entered medical school at New York University graduating in 1952. He went on to serve an internship at Greenwich Hospital where he met a beautiful nurse and “the most wonderful person in my life,” Marillyn “Timmi” Rathjen. They wed in 1953.
Peter spent his career dedicated to the medical profession and helping others. He enjoyed 36 years as a physician in Greenwich consisting of general practice, emergency medicine and corporate medicine. He also joined other physicians in establishing the Department of Emergency
Medicine at Greenwich Hospital and creating the Greenwich Emergency Medical System (GEMS), as well as establishing a sports medicine presence at high school sporting events. Peter was the Medical Director at Nathaniel Witherell later in his professional career, and acted as the liaison between the Greenwich Board of Health and the home.
His love of sports brought him to many local high school football and hockey games where he would often be seen on the sidelines in the event his medical skills were needed during a competition. He also developed a love for the game of golf: he played frequently at the Milbrook Club in Greenwich, where he was President; and he traveled extensively with friends to experience some of the world’s greatest golf venues.
Despite having won numerous distinctions and accolades over the years, Peter’s greatest pride was his family and the love they shared. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marillyn, their six children, Peter (Denise), Patti (Doug), Phillip (Liz), Perrin (Susan), Parrish ( Jean), Pamela (Ben) and 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. They all cherish the time and memories that they created with him.
A celebration of Peter’s life will be held after the new year with details to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Greenwich Hospital in his and Marillyn’s names. He is still hopeful the Yankees win another World Series and will be watching closely.