Caesar A. DeLeo, MD
OBITUARY
Caesar A. DeLeo, MD affectionately known to some as Coke, died peacefully on January 13, 2016 in Lake Bluff, Illinois. Dr. DeLeo was born on November 3, 1943 in New York City to Nicholas V. DeLeo MD and Ann M. DeLeo ( Ciccone). He graduated from Scranton Preparatory School in 1961 and from the University of Scranton in 1965.
Following in his father’s and uncle’s footsteps, he set out to become a physician. He continued his education at the University of Florence School of Medicine in Florence, Italy, earning his medical diploma cum laude in 1971. He completed a one year internship at the University of Florence Hospitals.
In 1972, he returned to the United States and completed postgraduate medical training at Louis A. Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. From 1974 to 1976, he completed his cardiology fellowship at the University of Illinois in Chicago. He was board certified in cardiology and became director of critical care and telemetry services at Rush North Shore.
Dr. DeLeo proudly practiced as a cardiologist in the Chicagoland area for the next 50 years. In 2002 he married Elizabeth Hesser, to whom he remained devoted until his passing. His compassion for others was unparalleled, and he was especially known for his impeccable bedside manner. In addition to practicing medicine, he was a teacher at heart, mentoring countless medical students and finding great joy in watching them learn and grow. As he once stated In a technological arena like Critical Care it becomes very clear now, more than ever, we need cognitive people to put technology into proper perspective to maintain human contact. Our actions must be patient-centered.
When he wasn’t caring for others, he cherished time with his family and enjoyed tinkering and relaxing at his sanctuary in Galena, Illinois. Caesar will be remembered as a compassionate caretaker, devoted physician, beloved teacher and a loving family man.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Hesser DeLeo; his children, Nicolle DeLeo, Joseph DeLeo and Claire O’Hern (Timothy O’Hern); his three grandchildren, Grace, Oliver and Teddy O’Hern: his sister, Joanne Kavulich and his nephews, Stephen and Mark and extended family members.
Visitation and Interment private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 227 South Bench Street, Galena, Illinois 61036.
Caesar A. DeLeo, MD
January 13, 2026