Richard Anthony Nigro M.D.

RICHARD ANTHONY NIGRO, M.D.

Richard Anthony Nigro passed on December 8, 2025, at the age of 93. Born on December 11, 1932, in NYC, Richard was the son of Anthony and Edith Nigro. He attended Horace Mann School, NYC during his elementary and high school years. Richard then attended St. Lawrence University where he met the love of his life, Dorothy. They married in 1958.

He graduated from New York Grossman School of Medicine specializing in Otorhinolaryngology in 1959 (Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery) and completed an internship at New York Medical College at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center. Richard completed residencies at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery) and the Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Surgery). He also held residencies at Bronx Municipal Hospital and Manhattan Eye, Ear, & Throat Hospital. He continued providing surgical care, as well as teaching surgery, at Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital through the 70’s.

Richard moved to Southampton (Shinnecock Hills) in 1972. He practiced medicine at his offices in Southampton and Riverhead. He had surgical privileges at Southampton Hospital and at Central Suffolk Hospital (now Peconic Bay) for over 35 years.

Richard was elected to the Southampton Town Board in 1974 running on a platform calling for zoning laws that would protect the bucolic qualities of the Town of Southampton, especially concerning the proliferation of high-density hotels and housing complexes. During his time on the Board, he was the President of STOP (Southampton Taxpayers Organized for Protection). The reason that the Town of Southampton no longer allows Billboard Advertising is thanks to Richard’s legislation.

Richard was an accomplished poet and songwriter. He spent his retirement years publishing a book of his poetry, Poems Among the Trees. He adored animals and donated his time and money to their care. He was an avid gardener of vegetables, herbs, trees, and, with his wife Dorothy, flowers, especially roses. He enjoyed travelling with his wife to various gardens. He was an accomplished cook and enjoyed entertaining and feeding all who crossed his doorstep.

Richard is survived by his daughter Pamela and her husband John; his daughter Laura; his son Carl and his wife Lucy; and his grandchildren Nicholai, Cora, Audrey, Richard, and Matthew.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s name to The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (arfhamptons.org) or The North Shore Animal League (animalleague.org).