Thomas R. Ugarte

Dr. Thomas R. Ugarte, age 77, passed away on July 1, 2014 at his home in Miami Lakes, Florida. Tom was born on May 20, 1937 in Puerto Castilla, Honduras to Miguel and Carmen Ugarte. His final days were spent surrounded by family and friends that he had touched throughout his very memorable life. Dr. Ugarte was known to his patients, colleagues, family and friends as a compassionate, caring and giving physician, always asking to be called "Tio Tommy." Having graduated from The Universidad Nacional Autnoma de Mxico's School of Medicine, Dr. Ugarte pursued his Residency in Ophthalmology at the National Institute of Ophthalmology, Madrid, Spain, later becoming Resident of Ophthalmology, Kansas City General Hospital - University of Missouri. During his 42-year career as an Ophthalmologist, Dr. Ugarte held distinguished positions, such as Chief for the Department of Ophthalmology at each of Palmetto General Hospital and Hialeah Hospital. He also was a member of the Board of Directors of the Florida National Society to Prevent Blindness and President of the Miami Ophthalmological Society. In addition to numerous other recognitions for his outstanding service to his community for over 40 years, Dr. Ugarte was also appointed Honorary Consul of The Republic of Costa Rica by the President of Costa Rica in 1990. During the later years of his career, Dr. Ugarte gave back to the profession he so loved by becoming a Clinical Instructor with Ross University School of Medicine, and was invited to address the graduating class of 2010 as Keynote Speaker during the White Coat Ceremony held at The Ross University School of Medicine, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies. Most recently, Dr. Ugarte was honored as a doctor of excellence by the International Association of Ophthalmologists and as a 2013-2014 Leading Physician of the World. Tom is survived by his four children, Daniel (Lazara) Ugarte of Miami Lakes, FL, Denise (Alex) Roldan of Miami Lakes, FL, Deborah Ugarte of Miami Lakes, FL, and Driscoll (Luciana) Ugarte of Royal Palm Beach, FL; his six grandchildren, Sophia, Kayla, Khloe, Savannah, Michael and Ashley; his four siblings, Rodolfo Ugarte of Limn, CR, Miguel Ugarte of Miami Lakes, FL, Julio Ugarte (Ilse) of San Jose, CR, and Reina Ugarte of Miami Lakes, FL; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Elena Nordman. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., with Services to be held during Visitation, on Thursday, July 3rd, at Vista Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home in Miami Lakes. Family Internment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or the American Lung Society. Condolences may be given at . Tom will forever be in our hearts and on our minds.