Dr. Luke George Tedeschi, of Scituate, Ma., a forensic scientist and former chief pathologist at MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham, spent a career travelling the country and the world solving puzzling murder cases, fighting third world oppression and was also a key figure in the Boston area medical community where he was a Clinical Professor of Pathology at Boston University School of Medicine.

Dr. Tedeschi, age 75, died peacefully at Linden Ponds in Hingham on August 5 due to complications following a heroic 18-year battle with Parkinson's Disease.
Much of his professional life was spent using his medical knowledge to solve criminal and human rights violations. As a member of the watchdog group Amnesty International, Dr. Tedeschi used his medical expertise to help those less fortunate and often travelled to international conferences to show how scientific evidence can be used to indict those responsible for human rights violations.

As part of a scientific delegation invited to Argentina in 1984, Dr. Tedeschi assisted the Argentine government with its investigation into the human remains of those victims who "disappeared" as a result of political repression in Argentina following 1976-83 military coup that resulted in the deaths of up to 25,000 people during that country's "dirty war."

"What happens is we become so complacent with it (human rights abuse) that it becomes a part of our daily lives," said Dr. Tedeschi after his trip to Argentina resulted in nine generals going on trial for torturing, kidnapping and killing thousands. "What does the average person do about it? Absolutely nothing... It bothers me so you try to do what little you can to see if you can make any kind of impact on it."

Following his retirement in 1994, Dr. Tedeschi served as a volunteer for Pathologists Oversees in Kenya helping a small group of Catholic mission hospitals.
Born in Modena, Italy on November 1, 1934, Dr. Tedeschi moved to the United States when he was 4 years old and eventually settled in Framingham, Ma., where he enjoyed a 30 year career at Framingham Union Hospital, now known as MetroWest Medical Center.

After graduating from the Salisbury School in 1952, Dr. Tedeschi received his B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in 1956 and his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in 1960.

Dr. Tedeschi served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, serving as a Pathologist at Camp Pendleton, Ca., from 1962-1964. Following his stint in the navy, Dr. Tedeschi returned to Framingham to work alongside his father, Dr. Cesare Tedeschi, who at that time was the Chief of Pathology at Framingham Union Hospital. When his father retired in 1970, Luke took over as the Chief of Pathology at Framingham Union Hospital, a position he held until his retirement in 1994 at the age of 59. Dr. Tedeschi also was elected to the Framingham Board of Health, where he served for 15 years.

After a seven year stint serving as the Associate Medical Examiner for Middlesex Country, Dr. Tedeschi was appointed by then Governor Michael Dukakis to become the Chief Medical Examiner of Middlesex County in 1977, a position he held for 10 years solving crimes using forensic evidence in the MetroWest region.
During his career, Dr. Tedeschi published nearly 100 medical articles on forensic science and along with his father and Dr. William Eckart published what became known as the definitive three-volume book in forensic medicine called: "Forensic Medicine - A Study in Trauma and Environmental Hazards."

At his retirement party, Dr. Joel Rankin, a colleague at the time, commented: "Luke is an outstanding individual. I think his fortes are his interactions with people. He is an absolutely suburb teacher. Students enjoyed his lectures. He's a fantastic pathologist and very much understands the clinicians. I have always loved his interaction with his kids, he gave them free rein with limits - and with love."
Outside of medicine, Dr. Tedeschi was a avid tennis player and on most days if he wasn't at the hospital he could be found at the Sudbury River Tennis Club in Framingham, where he won numerous club championships. Dr. Tedeschi was often ranked within the top 10 of his age group in the New England tennis circuits.
Following his retirement, Dr. Tedeschi moved to Cohasset and later to Scituate to be closer to his sons and eight grand children who had all settled on the South Shore. Dr. Tedeschi also became an avid artist during retirement enjoying his true passion; painting the many beautiful sceneries he came across near his home and during his many travels. He was also quick to put a put a brush and pad in front of his grandchildren during family visits encouraging them to take up the hobby.

He leaves his loving wife Elaine of 32 years, brother John and wife Anne of Wisconsin as well as his three son's Mark and wife Laurie of Hingham, Paul and his wife Jill of Cohasset, Peter and his wife Sarah of Cohasset, and a stepson Adam Jonath of Hawaii. He also leaves eight grandchildren, Luke, Brittney, Trevor, Justin, Brendan, Cameron, Jackson and Drea.

Visiting hours

Private for Family.

Service Information

A celebration of life will be held on August 11 at 11 AM at the Second Congregational Church in Cohasset. An open reception to follow at the Hatherly Country Club on Hatherly Road in Scituate immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Luke's memory may be made to the JETT Foundation, which is fighting to find a cure for muscular dystrophy and neuromuscular diseases. The Jett Foundation, 42 Elm St, Kingston, MA 02364.