Aliyya Swaby Photo
Frank Lobo outside City POint Kitchen.
Frank Lobo had many interests —sailing, woodworking, food, health, and community.
New Haven benefited from all that, and more.
Lobo died at his home in City Point on Dec. 22 at the age of 54. He was remembered fondly as an immunologist with a special interest in gut health, promoter of healthful eating, a civic volunteer and leader, and the man behind City Point Kitchen restaurant.
He will be remembered at a community gathering this Saturday. It takes place at the Graduate Club (155 Elm St.) from 3 to 5 p.m., to be followed by a reception at the same location.
Jonathan Wharton knew Lobo as both a City Point neighbor and a helper in Wharton’s quest to rebuild the local Republican Party as town chair (a post Wharton resigned in 2018).
Wharton called Lobo “an instrumental part of the City Point and Hill neighborhoods. Beyond working and living in these New Haven communities, he also volunteered, attended countless management team meetings and opened City Point Kitchen Restaurant. Dr. Lobo was also an important part of the New Haven Republican Town Committee as he served as secretary and alder candidate. He was a genuine person, great neighbor and enthusiastic New Havener. Dr. Lobo will be sincerely missed by so many.”
Lobo’s many civic activities included serving on the board of New Haven Farms. He urged his staff at City Point Kitchen to use produce from the local farms.
“Frank was a great lover of this city,” Charles Negaro, a fellow board member recalled in a group email. “He made an enormous commitment to City Point by renovating historic homes and made a valiant effort at founding a café for the neighborhood. His medical interests went far beyond his field of immunology. He was the first to introduce me to the topic of gut health and, with his knowledge of coming innovations, urged me to stay healthy to benefit from the advent of new and dramatic medical miracles. He was a great believer in New Haven Farms. He showed his commitment in many ways — from shoveling dirt to pressing his medical colleagues for support. He was a true believer in the mission.”
Francis M. Lobo was born Jan. 16, 1964, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the son of Francis X. Lobo, of Wilkes-Barre, and the late Annette M. (Davis) Lobo. He was a 1981 graduate of Scranton Preparatory School and a a 1985 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania . He received a master’s in philosophy and history from Cambridge University in 1987.
A1992 graduate of Yale University School of Medicine, Lobo did his residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He was also a Fulbright scholar at Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, Germany. He said he “fell in love” with New Haven while at medical school, and decided to set down roots here.
Francis was past president of the Beaumont Medical Club of Connecticut in 2015 and a member of New Haven Farms Board of Directors. He was a trustee of the Harvey Cushing / John Hay Whitney Medical Library and a member of the Executive Committee of the Association of Yale Alumni in Medicine.
Surviving in addition to his father are his brother, Anthony L. Lobo and wife, Teri, Ambler; nieces, Anna and Mary; and dear friends.
Francis was also preceded in death by his twin brother, Glyndwr Lobo.
Lobo was buried in Scranton, Pennsylvania. A New Haven memorial service is being planned later this week. Memorial contributins can be sent to The Nature Conservancy, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203 – 1606.
A terrible loss. The good die young.