Dr. Robert C. Sarno of Boston and Edgartown died on Jan. 7 from complications of a fall. He was 77.

He was born on Dec. 6, 1945, to Roseanne Shomphe and Alfred Nicholas Sarno. As a child, he and his mother spent summers in her native Cape Breton, Canada. There he learned the French language from his cousins and he remained fluent in French throughout his life.

He attended Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree and graduated from Tufts University and Tufts University School of Medicine with high honors. He completed an internship in internal medicine and a residency in radiology, both at Tufts-New England Medical Center (NEMC).

Robert was a respected radiologist. From 1974-76, he was a staff radiology faculty member at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School. During the period at MGH, he met his future wife, Dr. Deborah A. Hall, who was then a radiology resident. They married on May 1, 1982.

He led an active professional life. In 1976, he returned as faculty to the department of radiology at NEMC. He rose to professor of radiology and remained on the faculty until his retirement. He became dean of admissions after serving as a member of the Tufts School of Medicine admissions committee for 25 years. He is remembered fondly by thousands of medical students and radiology trainees and was awarded 18 consecutive annual teaching awards by them. He served as president of the medical staff of New England Medical Center Hospitals and was a councilor of the Massachusetts Medical Society.

In 1978, he and several friends purchased properties on Martha’s Vineyard. He, his wife and children spent weekends and summer vacations there and built a community of Island friends. In retirement, he became vice president of the board of directors of Hospice and Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard and was dedicated to its mission.

His interests were eclectic. He completed the daily crossword puzzle in The New York Times. He enjoyed Viking River Cruises, playing the harp and writing limericks. He was an inveterate story teller. He made a real effort to be all-inclusive: one of his favorite introductions of someone new to his circle was, “Please meet my new best friend!”

Robert was predeceased by his mother Roseanne Shomphe Sarno and his father Alfred Nicholas Sarno.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Deborah A. Hall; son Nicholas Hall Sarno, his wife Shauna and their son William; daughter Jane Sullivan, her husband Michael and their children Bobby and Clara; his sister in law Katherine Hall, her husband Terry Johnson and their son Benjamin Gurney and his wife Kylee; and many cousins.

His life was enriched by the appearance of grandchildren Bobby, William and Clara and the hope for more. He also had a special relationship with his two paternal aunts, Lee and Clara, whom he cherished and cared for until their deaths. Most important to him was his family. His close relationship with Debby and his concern and affection for his children and grandchildren were evident in his day to day interactions. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Jan. 13 at the Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite avenue, East Milton Square in Milton from 4 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14 at Saint Agatha’s Catholic Church in Milton. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard at hospiceofmv.org or to Hospice & Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1748, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568