Dr. Thomas F. Contreras

Dr. Tomas F. Contreras of Mt. Laurel, NJ died Monday, April 27, 2009 at Samaritan Hospice in Mt. Holly after battling cancer. He was 82. Loving husband of Flora Ianni Contreras, father of Tomas R. Contreras of Galloway and Christine Contreras Wagner of Mt. Laurel. Father-in-law of Nina Contreras, grandfather of Michael Contreras and Emily Wagner. Survived by younger brother of Jorge Contreras, Esq. of Manila, and Jorge’s children: Tomas & Juliet of Manila; Sarah C. (Wayne) Deming of El Cajon, CA. Elder brother of Jean Contreras Overdeer of Austin, TX. Preceeded in death by his father Esquire Tomas A. Contreras and mother Florencia Brual Contreras. Born in Manila, Philippines on July 24, 1926, he attended the University of Pennsylvania in post graduate study specializing in surgery. He arrived in the United States in 1953, serving a 1 year rotating internship at St. Francis Hospital in Trenton, NJ, where he met his wife of 53 years, Flora. He then went on to Petersburg General Hospital in Petersburg, VA serving a General Practice Residency until 1955. From 1955 to present, he served at Virtua Memorial Hospital in Mt. Holly, where he dedicated the next 53 years. First serving as resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology until 1960, then House Officer in Medicine and Pediatrics and Senior Officer of the emergency room. From 1963-65, he served a residency in Gross and Microscopic Pathology. He started a solo practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology until 1966, when he joined into an Obstetrics and Gynecology partnership with Dr. Foord and Dr. Lockhart until 1974, where he delivered twins on the back seat of a Volkswagen on Broad Street in Burlington. From 1974-1990, he started his own solo practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology, where he delivered the largest baby in Memorial Hospital’s history weighing in at 13.5 lbs. He also delivered 2 sets of triplets within weeks of each other. The last 19 years, he served as surgical assistant in the operating room of Virtua Memorial Hospital along with many colleagues and friends. Dr. Contreras was an affiliate of many medical associations and societies. He was a founding member of the Philippine-American Medical Society of New Jersey, an honorable member of the American Medical Association, Burlington County Medical Association, the Medical Society of New Jersey, fellow of the New Jersey Obstetric and Gynecology Society, American Society of Abdominal Surgeons, and the Academy of Medicine in New Jersey. Dr. Contreras dedicated his life to medicine. He loved working at the hospital and helped out wherever he was needed. His wonderful sense of humor and compassion attracted many collegues and patients alike. His hobby was cooking. He was passionate about college basketball, luxury cars, and watches, but especially loved to spend time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Friends are invited to visit with the family on Monday evening, May 4th from 6-9 PM and Tuesday morning, May 5th 9:45-10:45 AM at the Sacred Heart Church, 260 High St., Mt. Holly. Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Tuesday at 11:00 AM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dr. Contreras’ memory may be made to the Virtua Memorial Foundation Fund, 175 Madison Ave., Mt. Holly, NJ 08060, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111 or Samaritan Inpatient Hospice Center at Virtua-Memorial Hospital, 175 Madison Ave., 2 South, Mt. Holly, NJ 08060. Arrangements by the Perinchief Chapels, Mt. Holly

Dr. Thomas F. Contreras

July 24, 1926 - April 27, 2009