Manuel Enfestan Tayko, age 93, of Venice, Florida, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2026. He was surrounded by family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Rosario T. Tayko. Dr. Tayko was born in the Philippines on December 7, 1932. He completed his high school and pre-medical studies at Silliman University and obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1957 from the University of Santo Tomas. In 1958 he emigrated to the United States. He was accepted into a five-year general surgery residency at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., culminating in his appointment as Chief Resident in his fifth year. During his tenure as chief resident, he undertook research in umbilical catheterization as a tool for diagnosing liver disease, which earned him first prize amongst the scientific papers presented to the Washington, D.C. Medical Society. Dr. Tayko joined a general surgery partnership in Stuart, Virginia, where he spent his career. At the local hospital (then R.J. Reynolds Memorial Hospital) he served in various positions: chief of the medical staff, member of the hospital’s Board of Trustees, and president of the medical society. He became Chief of Surgery in 1984, a position he held until his retirement. As Chief of Surgery at R.J. Reynolds, he established the Department of Ambulatory Surgery and pioneered the evolving technology of laparascopic and endoscopic surgery. He became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the International College of Surgeons, and the Society of Abdominal Surgeons. He was also a member of the Stuart Medical Society, Virginia Medical Society, Southern Medical Society and the AMA. After practicing medicine for 27 years, he received recognition for his dedicated service to the citizens of Patrick County by the governor of the state. Despite his busy practice and full family life, Dr. Tayko joined several medical missions to the Philippines to perform surgery and provide medical care for the needy, a cause he was passionate about. What became for him the most relaxing break from the rigors of medical life was raising Angus and Charolais beef cattle. He enjoyed caring for and tending to the animals’ “veterinary needs.” Dr. Tayko is survived by daughter Gail Tayko (Chuck), daughter Marissa Barnes (David), son Chris (Alexandra), and his beloved granddaughters, Rachel Barnes and Olivia Barnes. A celebratory mass will be held on June 12, 2026, at 10:00am at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Venice, Florida. A Committal Service will follow at Venice Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Dr. Tayko’s memory can be made to a medical mission scheduled for January 2027 in his hometown of Dumagete, Philippines. Checks can be made to: Support and Advocacy Network for Dumagete, c/o Linda McGloin, Treasurer, 2 Old Hope Creek Path, Durham, NC 27707. Farley Funeral Home in Venice, Florida is handling the arrangements. To send a condolence or memory please visit www.farleyfuneralhome.com.
