Dr. Lawrence J Anastasi passed away on January 30th, 2026 at home with his loving wife and dog at his side after a year long battle against pancreatic cancer.
Born to Lawrence Anastasi Sr and Julia Anastasi (Nugent) on October 26,1949, he briefly resided in South Philadelphia, until his family re-located to Drexel Hill. Cherished husband to wife Suzanne Burgos and (dad) to his dog and constant companion Lexi. Loving step father to Jason and Debra Lee Burgos Megahan, Britain and Nicole Burgos (Brown) and cherished “ Grand Pop” to Gabriella and Ryan Burgos.
Beloved brother to Monica Bove’ (Anastasi) and Eugene Bove’ and Dr Michael Anastasi and Patricia Anastasi, Uncle to Dr John Gaffney and wife Bridget Gaffney, (Grande) Jamey Gaffney and Shirley Muchmore and Sharon Nageleski (Gaffney) and husband Glen Nageleski. He was a great uncle to many other nieces and nephews.
Dr Anastasi attended St Andrew’s School in Drexel Hill, then Upper Darby High School when he graduated in 1967. After graduation, he then worked in the Navy Yard in Philadelphia for a year as a ship fitter trainee.
He then went on to attend Miami Dade Junior College where he studied Criminal Justice. He subsequently transferred to the University of Miami in his second year in the pre-med program. He finally transferred to a progressive college in South Carolina, Coker College majoring in biology and pre- med.
He later was accepted into the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine where he graduated June of 1976, and completed an internship in 1977. He then went into Family Medicine and opened his practice in Margate NJ, where he practiced serving the community for 43 years.
He was the Police Surgeon for the Longport, Ventnor, and Egg Harbor Township communities. In the 1990’s he was accepted to the University of Pennsylvania for a one year fellowship for the Quality Management Program, and was Medical Director for the Nurse Call Disease Management Program under Dr David Shulkin.
Dr Anastasi was also Medical Director for Gospel Hall Nursing Home in Longport.
He was Board Certified in Family Medicine, Sports Medicine and Geriatric’s, as well as certified in diving medicine in 1982.
He then joined Shore Physicians Group in 2020 where he worked for approximately two years as he transitioned his practice to the Shore Physicians Program. He then retired early in 2021.
Dr Anastasi had a passion for physical fitness and wellness, which he promoted to his patients and practiced himself. He was active in various gyms across the area including the JCC in Margate. He was active in martial arts, including kick boxing, Ju Jitsu, and was trained in Krav Maga. He was always a participant in Sunday football scrimmages.
He also participated in boxing up until December of 2025, and donated bicycles and other toys to Box for Tots.
He loved travel to the Caribbean, Mexico and various parts of the United States with his loving wife Suzanne.