Hugo Fortunato Sotolongo

Hugo Sotolongo, age 102, passed away at the Forest at Duke on Thursday October 30, 2025. He lived a long, amazing and as his middle name indicates, fortunate life. He was born on June 11, 1923, in Havana Cuba to the late Luis and Maria Teresa Sotolongo. He grew up on Calle Centurion across the street from Priscilla, his wife of more than 70 years, now deceased. He attended the University of Havana and graduated from its Medical School in 1947. He then left Havana to begin a general practitioner residency in Hammond Indiana. He returned to Havana to marry Priscilla on December 16, 1950. The young couple returned to the United States and started a family which grew to five children over the course of their marriage. They lived in several cities, while Hugo worked in various hospitals, before settling in Live Oak, Florida in 1955.

Hugo became a general practice physician in Live Oak, serving as a much-loved small-town doctor for multiple generations over a 47-year period. Known affectionately as Doc Soto, he delivered more than 4,000 babies starting in 1955; he delivered his last baby at Suwannee County Hospital in 1984.

He was involved in many aspects of community life, bringing pro bono medical care to the young people at the Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch and serving as the team doctor for the Suwannee County High School Bulldogs football team. He was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and a director for First Federal Savings Bank.

When he wasn’t tending to his busy medical practice, Hugo spent as much time as he could with his five children, Hugo, Bob, Carlos, Priscilla and David. He taught them to swim, coached their baseball teams, and taught them to play golf, his lifetime passion.

Hugo also was a great help to his extended family as they left Cuba in the early 1960’s. He built a house addition for both his and Priscilla’s parents. He provided a way station for his nephews and nieces as their parents established new lives in the United States.

As the children grew up and moved out of the house, Hugo and Priscilla enjoyed traveling with their Live Oak friends to Florida State football games and European cities. After 47 years of practicing medicine, Hugo retired at the age of 75. He and Priscilla then moved to Durham to be closer to their seven grandchildren. They enjoyed all aspects of their grandchildren’s lives, going to sporting events and numerous birthday parties. It was no coincidence that they lived across Highway 54 from Holy Infant Catholic Church where they were active members and made many friends. Living in Durham allowed Hugo to enjoy one of his biggest passions: Duke basketball. They moved to the Forest at Duke in 2014 where they made more friends and were well-cared for at the end of their lives. Hugo and Priscilla both passed away on the same day of the year October 30th, Priscilla in 2021 Hugo in 2025. They are now together in eternal life.

Hugo is survived by his five children, Hugo (Cheree), Bob (Joy), Carlos (Ann), Priscilla, David (Wendy): his seven grandchildren, Alex, Nick, Emilia, Stephen, Marisa, Annamaria and Silvia: and his three great grandchildren, Sid son of Alex (Madura) Sofia and Eleanor, daughters of Nick (Whitney).

Family visitation will be held Monday, November 10th at Hall-Wynne from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a rosary prayer at 6:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 11 at Holy Infant Catholic Church. After the mass, the burial will take place at St. Mathew Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers and memorials donations can be made to: Samaritan Health Center, 3205 University Drive Suite 107 Durham, NC 27707 or Boys Ranch Live Oak PO Box 2000 Boys Ranch, FL 32064.

The Sotolongo family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Services. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com select obituaries.