Dr. José Antonio Lengua, 77, of Urbanna, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 30, 2013, at his home, surrounded by his family.
He was born in Lima, Peru, on July 21, 1935 to the late Dr. José Alberto Lengua and Maria Teresa Sbárbaro de Lengua.
He leaves behind his wife of over 42 years, Rebecca Deagle Lengua; daughter, Maria Lengua Johnson (RD) of Hartfield; son, Edward Andrew Lengua (Kendra) of Glen Allen; grandchildren, Dale and Lucie Claire Johnson and Megan Gilstrap.
Dr. Lengua graduated from El Colegio San Agustín and Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos de Lima. He was a Fellow of the American Society of Abdominal Surgeons and Diplomate of the American Board of Abdominal Surgery. For many years he was a member of the Mid-Tidewater Medical Association. His medical and surgical training was completed at Johnston-Willis Hospital in Richmond. Additional training in Thoracic Surgery was completed at Hospital Montfort in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He also spent time in Durham, N.C., and Welch, W.Va. In 1974, Dr. Lengua started his practice in General Surgery and Medicine in Urbanna, and at Tidewater Memorial Hospital in Tappahannock. Upon moving his office to Saluda, he continued practicing General Medicine, serving all ages until March 1, 2013.
Dr. Lengua had many interests, some of which were animal welfare, music, collecting antiques, gardening, travel, and his love of sports of all kinds. He actively participated and encouraged his children’s involvement in sports starting with Middlesex County Youth League Basketball and continuing support through their high school and college years.
He enjoyed and was a member for many seasons of the Chesapeake Chorale and the Urbanna Baptist Church Choir.
Dr. Lengua will be remembered for his compassion and equality of care for all of his patients.
A funeral service was held on Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at Bristow-Faulkner Funeral Home in Saluda at 2 p.m. Family received friends one hour prior to the service. A burial was at Zoar Baptist Church Cemetery in Deltaville, Va., following the service.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society-P.O. Box 385, Gloucester, Va. 23061; Central Middlesex Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 790, Urbanna, Va. 23175 or Riverside Hospice Help Fund of Gloucester, 7358 Main Street, Gloucester, Va. 23061.
The family would like to offer many thanks to the physicians and staff of Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, Riverside Home Health, and Riverside Hospice staff.