CARIBOU – Dr. Cesar Sabio Siruno, 61, joined God in paradise Jan. 1, 2009, after a long battle with a stroke and lung cancer. Born Jan. 22, 1947 in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, to Lauro and Lourdes, he was the youngest of five siblings. A prodigious student and a talented athlete, Cesar graduated with a doctorate in medicine from Far Eastern University Medical School, Manila, Philippines. He remembers his roots as a member of the university’s alumni association. Cesar sought opportunity in the United States and took up his surgical residency at Detroit Macomb Hospital, Warren, Mich., in 1977. Cesar married Florentina Marudo the same year. As a student of medicine, he studied his patients, learned their medical and family histories and risk factors. Upon completion of his residency, Dr. Siruno and his family moved to Limestone and began working in Dr. Pedro Simon’s medical practice at Cary Medical Center in 1984. He then started his own practice and moved to Caribou in 1987. Cesar gained a reputation of being an upbeat, compassionate doctor who sincerely cared for the well-being of his patients. He was loved and respected by his co-workers for his ability to stay calm and patient under pressure. People got to know him as a mentor to new staff members; his patience and positive attitude made everybody feel at ease. While in his quarter-century of service to the hospital, he was part of the American Medical Association and at one point, served as chief of surgery. Dr. Siruno loved to partake in many activities. His love of athletics in childhood continued on with his passion for tennis, basketball and table tennis. Later in life he and Florentina took up golf, and both had the joy of experiencing hitting a hole-in-one as members of Caribou Country Club. He gained a reputation for his patience with new players and great sportsmanship. His dedication to golf could be seen when he would arrive at the golf course at 5 a.m. before opening his office and doing his morning hospital rounds. Dr. Siruno was also fond of music. He taught himself to play the guitar and would sing at the drop of a hat. His discovery of Karaoke was a watershed moment; he would sing his favorite Karaoke songs at medical staff events, such as the Cary Family Talent Show. A devout and virtuous man, Dr. Siruno was a member of Holy Rosary Church, Caribou. He gave charitably to the Siruno Family Foundation, the Philippines, as well as various fundraisers in Caribou. His parents and eldest sister, Placida, predeceased him. He is survived by his wife, Florentina; his son, Jonathan of Portland, Ore.; his daughter, April of Washington, D.C.; his sister, Constancia and her husband, Calixto Rozal, of Daly City, Calif., as well as their children, Vangie, Glenna, Juhn, Agnes, Alvin, Cecille, and all their respective children; his brother, Eugene and his wife, Babi, of Hutchinson, Minn., as well as their children, Tony, Gig and Gina and her daughter, Vonne; and his sister, Edita Tolentino of Chicago. He was grateful for all his family and friends from medical school, Aroostook County, all over the U.S., Canada and the Philippines, who gave him a fulfilling life. He is especially thankful to those who cared for him while rehabilitating from his stroke and cancer. Visiting hours were held 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, and 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, at Lancaster-Morgan Funeral Home, 11 Clover St., Caribou. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5, at Holy Rosary Church, Caribou. A reception will be held afterward in the basement. Interment will be held at a later date in California. The Siruno family requests donations be made in memory of Dr. Cesar Siruno to the Jefferson Cary Foundation, P.O. Box 89, Caribou, ME 04736. Funds may be earmarked to the stroke or cancer clinic or the foundation of the person’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lancastermorgan.com.