Dr. Orazio Basile

Dr. Orazio Basile, of Cumberland, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Dr. Basile was born in Providence, the son of the late Orazio Michael and Amelia (Cimorelli) Basile. He grew up in the Eagle Park section of Providence, where he attended public schools before graduating from Classical High School and Brown University.

Dr. Basile’s distinguished medical career began with his studies in Italy, where he was a diplomate of the University of Bologna and received his Doctor of Medicine and Surgery degree. He was the first foreign-trained physician ever selected by Rhode Island Hospital through the Matching Internship Program. He completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Rhode Island Hospital before continuing his training in Dermatology at Massachusetts Memorial Hospital-Boston University Medical Center in Boston.

After completing his dermatology training, Dr. Basile maintained offices in Providence and Westerly before eventually limiting his practice to Woonsocket and northern Rhode Island. He received his certification in Dermatology in 1970 and was soon thereafter awarded a Fellowship in the American Academy of Dermatology.

Throughout his career, Dr. Basile was deeply committed to both patient care and the education of future physicians. He served as a consultant in Dermatology to many nursing homes throughout northern Rhode Island as well as Zambarano Memorial Hospital. He was also Chief of Dermatology at Pawtucket Memorial, Woonsocket, and Fogarty Hospitals and held medical staff appointments at Rhode Island Hospital and Westerly Hospital.

His dedication to teaching was particularly meaningful to him. Dr. Basile held teaching appointments in Dermatology at Brown University and Brown Medical School and served as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Dermatology. In 2004, he received a Distinguished Teaching Award in recognition of twenty-five years of teaching at the medical school.

Dr. Basile was an active member of numerous professional organizations, including the Rhode Island Medical Society, Providence Medical Association, Rhode Island Dermatology Society, New England Dermatology Society, International Pediatric Dermatology Society, and The Dermatology Foundation. Among his many leadership positions, he served as President of the Woonsocket District Medical Society and the Rhode Island Dermatology Society, Delegate to the Rhode Island Medical Society, and Staff Secretary-Treasurer of the Woonsocket Hospital Medical Staff.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Basile enjoyed an active and fulfilling life. He was a member of the Abbott Run Swim and Tennis Club, Kirkbrae Country Club, Forecourt Racquet Club, and The University Club. He maintained residences in Aruba, Cape Cod, and Cumberland. An avid tennis player in earlier years, he later found great enjoyment in international travel, walking, gardening, and reading.

While Dr. Basile accomplished much throughout his distinguished medical career, his greatest pride and joy was his family. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Shaindele(Stern) Basile, and his children, Elizabeth Basile, Paula Basile, and Michael Basile and his wife Tiffany, as well as his granddaughter, Talli Basile.

Dr. Basile will be remembered for his dedication to medicine, his commitment to teaching, his love of travel and learning, and, most importantly, for the love he shared with his family and those fortunate enough to know him.

The Funeral and Burial were private.