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- OGDENSBURG JOURNAL FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1938
Man Who Lost Arms, Legs And Part of Body Through 19 Operations, Is Dead
Malone-After undergoing 19 operations in the course of the past 17 years, Phillip Lamica, 50, is dead. He died at his home, 66 West St., Wednesday afternoon.
There was little left of this man when the end came. A victim of Buerger's disease he was bereft of both hands, parts of botlh arms, both legs and his hips in the series of operations which began 17 years ago.
Phillip Lamica was employed by the Malone Paper Compamy when the strange disease first attacked one of his feet. He was treated by Dr. John E. White who removed the great toe on Mr. Lamicia's right foot.
Dr. White diagnosed the papermaker's ailment as Buerger's disease, a rare malady that obstructs tlie blood stream and causes the portion of the ibody aflicted to become almost black in color and a very painful burning sensation to the victim.
But the removal of the man's toe was but the beginning. The disease broke out in different parts of the body and operation after operation was performed to stop the disease but it kept reappearing until so much of the man's body had been removed that many marveled that he was able to live. Throughout his long illness Dr. White had performed all of the 19 operations.
But through it all the man seemed quite cheerful. He enjoyed life despite his tremendous handicaps. He was a familiar figure in his wheel chair on Main St. where he sold pencils each day. Being legless and armless he could not walk, drive a car or even feed himself but he lived through his eyes. His pencil sales were never large but his little business afforded him the opportunity of seeing people. He liked to watch the crowds and to be among them.
Throughout his long illness his wife was ever patient and kind, doing everything possible for his comfort, Last November he began having trouble with his stomach and throat. His illness was striking in a new spot and he suffered a great deal throughout the winter and up until his death.
Besides his wife he is survived by five children: Mrs. William Reyome, Herbert Lamica, Mrs. Peter Recore, Mrs. Hazel Russell and Harold Lamica, all of Malone, and four sisters, Mrs. Fred LaBarge, Burke; Mrs. Frank O'Brien, Mrs. George Gardner, Malone, and Mrs. Ezra Prespare, Burke, and one brother, Albert Lamica, Malone.
The funeral service was held at St. John Bosco Church at 9 o'clock this morning. The pastor, the Rev. Euclid Elie, officiated. Burial was in Notre Dame Cemetery,
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1888 - 1938 (50 years)
d. Jun 1969, Malone, Franklin, New York, USA