Early Life and Immigration Background
Stephen A. Fauci was born in 1910 in New York City, the son of Italian immigrants. His family arrived in the late 1800s, with paternal roots in Sciacca, Sicily, and maternal origins in Naples and Switzerland. He was raised in a tight-knit Italian-American community in Brooklyn, where work ethic, Catholic faith, and education were core values.
By age 18, Stephen married Eugenia Abys, whom he met in New York City public schools. Both later pursued higher education—Stephen at Columbia University College of Pharmacy, Eugenia at Brooklyn College and Hunter College. Together, they built a family grounded in education, service, and discipline.
Professional Life: The Fauci Pharmacy
Location and Operation
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Fauci Pharmacy |
| Street Address | Third Avenue, Dyker Heights |
| Borough | Brooklyn, New York City |
| Operational Years | 1940s – 1970s |
Stephen A. Fauci owned and operated a corner pharmacy in Dyker Heights, a neighborhood in southern Brooklyn. The pharmacy became a local fixture, known not just for medicine but for its community-oriented offerings.
Features of the Store
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Soda Fountain | Small eatery space for patrons |
| Telephone Booths | Public telephone access |
| Prescription Delivery | Managed by son Anthony Fauci |
The business wasn’t just commercial—it was cultural. With booths, counters, and public interaction, Fauci Pharmacy operated as a communal hub where the neighborhood’s health and social needs intersected.
Family and Domestic Life
Stephen and Eugenia lived in a modest apartment above the pharmacy, allowing Stephen to respond rapidly to patients and customers. Their son, Anthony S. Fauci, born December 24, 1940, delivered prescriptions from the age of 10. Their daughter, Denise Scorce, assisted at the register with her mother.
Family Composition
| Name | Role | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen A. Fauci | Father, Pharmacist | Born 1910, Died 2008 |
| Eugenia Abys | Mother, Co-operator | Deceased during son’s medical school years |
| Anthony S. Fauci | Son | Born 1940, future Director of NIAID |
| Denise Scorce | Daughter | Assisted with pharmacy operations |
Stephen played a critical mentorship role in Anthony’s early development, encouraging academic rigor and service. He emphasized “treating people, not just symptoms,” a value Anthony carried into medicine and public health.
Education and Career Credentials
Stephen graduated from Columbia University’s College of Pharmacy in the 1930s. At a time when higher education was rare among immigrants, especially in working-class Italian-American families, this achievement marked a pivotal family advancement.
| Credential | Institution | Graduation Year |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Degree | Columbia University | ca. 1932 |
| High School Diploma | NYC Public Schools | ca. 1927 |
His qualifications allowed him to practice independently, manage pharmaceutical operations, and provide over-the-counter medical counsel. Many neighbors trusted his opinion more than that of physicians.
Character and Legacy
Stephen A. Fauci was known for his discipline, humility, and tenacity. He worked six days a week, rarely took vacations, and often filled prescriptions after hours for emergencies. His work ethic served as a constant example for his children, especially Anthony, who credited his father’s stamina and moral grounding as essential to his own trajectory.
Key Traits
| Trait | Manifestation in Life |
|---|---|
| Discipline | Long pharmacy hours, hands-on parenting |
| Service | Unofficial medical adviser to the neighborhood |
| Humility | Avoided attention, focused on family and business |
| Cultural Identity | Maintained Italian-Swiss family traditions |
Stephen passed away in 2008 at the age of 98, survived by his two children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. His contributions were not in national headlines but are reflected in the public service careers of his descendants.
Lasting Influence on Public Health
Stephen’s most enduring impact lies in the environment he created. By embedding service, care, and work ethic into daily life, he gave Anthony a tangible model of professional integrity. The pharmacy counter was Anthony’s first exposure to public health — not from textbooks, but from witnessing human interaction, illness, and compassion.
| Influence Area | Effect on Anthony Fauci |
|---|---|
| Human Interaction | Shaped bedside manner and patient empathy |
| Ethics and Responsibility | Reinforced duty over ego |
| Scientific Curiosity | Sparked by observing pharmaceuticals and diseases |
Recognition and Posthumous Reflections
Though never formally honored with public accolades, Stephen A. Fauci’s name remains closely associated with the personal foundations of America’s most recognized infectious disease expert. His legacy was given national attention in Anthony’s 2024 memoir, where Stephen is described as the “bedrock of discipline and humility.”
Stephen’s life, while humble, exemplified the immigrant success story: a son of Sicily who earned a degree, built a business, raised a family of public servants, and quietly impacted global health through his children’s contributions.
FAQ
Who was Stephen A. Fauci?
He was a Brooklyn-based pharmacist born in 1910, known for owning a community pharmacy and being the father of Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Where did Stephen Fauci receive his education?
He graduated from Columbia University’s College of Pharmacy in the early 1930s.
What was Fauci Pharmacy?
A full-service neighborhood pharmacy in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, with a soda fountain and telephone booths.
When did Stephen Fauci pass away?
He died in 2008 at the age of 98.
How many children did Stephen A. Fauci have?
He had two children: Anthony and Denise.
What was his wife’s name?
Eugenia Abys, who assisted in managing the pharmacy and passed away while Anthony was in medical school.
How did Stephen influence Anthony Fauci?
He modeled discipline, empathy, and a strong work ethic, influencing Anthony’s approach to medicine and leadership.
Did Stephen A. Fauci receive any public honors?
Anthony Fauci’s memoir and interviews acknowledge his legacy, but no public honours.
Where was Stephen A. Fauci born?
He was born in NYC to Italian immigrants.
What kind of community did he serve?
An Italian-American working-class Brooklyn neighbourhood in the mid-20th century.
