Obituary of Manuel R. Pili MD

Dr. Manuel R. Pili of Brooklyn passed away on September 7, 2023. He was 81. He died of complications due to post-polio syndrome and Parkinson’s Disease. He was the proud father to Elizabeth and Christina, and the widower of Dr. Cecilia Laqui-Pili, whom he loved and adored deeply. 

Dr. Pili was born in the Philippines, in the province of Gerona, Tarlac, on January 18, 1942 to Jacinto Pili and Gliceria Ramos.   He was the third youngest of twelve children.  He was a dedicated member of the 4-H Club, raised chickens as a child, and excelled in the sciences.  He attended the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and graduated in 1965.  He emigrated to the United States shortly after he completed his medical internship at Clark Air Base.  His first stop was Cook County Hospital in Chicago, and then he eventually settled in Brooklyn.  While working as an obstetrics and gynecology resident at Kings County Hospital, he met his future wife, Dr. Cecilia Laqui,  a fellow resident.  They married in 1969 in Flatbush, Brooklyn.

A teacher at heart, Dr. Pili flourished in his career as a gynecological oncologist and looked forward to mentoring and guiding his residents every day.  Even with his physical limitations, he managed to perform hours-long surgeries.  Surgery was a form of art to him, and he would spend many hours at home perfecting his sutures. In addition to working at several teaching hospitals across Brooklyn and Queens, he owned a private practice.  He retired in 2018 from Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.   

Dr. Pili was a quiet man, but he had a sharp wit and a great sense of humor.  He will also be remembered for his love of tennis, cooking, and sharing many meals with family and friends. Dr. Pili was a devoted fan of Peter Luger Steak House, so much so that he named his beloved Shih Tzu after the establishment.  

He is survived by his daughters, his two sisters, Anita and Linda, his many nieces and nephews, and their children. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Doctors without Borders, Wounded Warrior Project, or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. 

The visitation for Manuel R. Pili, MD will be held at Marine Park Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, from 4:00 to 9:00 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mark Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at 10:30 AM. The Committal Service will immediately follow the Funeral Mass at Resurrection Cemetery in Staten Island, NY.

Please use the Tribute Wall tab to express your compassion and condolences over Manuel's passing.

For those who wish to send a floral tribute to the wake service, please call Floral Fantasy Florist at: 718-238-6978 or CLICK HERE to be directed to their website.