Dr. Isidro M. Bulatao

Surrounded by loved ones, Isidro Munoz Bulatao, 94, peacefully joined his angel wife Irene on December 25, 2025.

Also known as Sid, Papang, and Dr. B, Isidro led a life of accomplishment, generosity, and love. He was born to Leon and Esperanza Bulatao in Umingan, Pangasinan, the Philippines. He and his family survived World War II by living in the jungle for several months, which imbued his spirit with courage, ingenuity, and resilience. After excelling at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and finishing an internship there, he emigrated to the United States in 1956. He completed his thoracic surgery residency at Albany Medical College, where he also served as a clinical instructor of thoracic surgery for four years. He finished fellowships in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery in Albany, NY and Perth Amboy, NJ.

During his general surgical residency at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, Sid met Irene Langlais, the nurse who would become his beloved wife for over 63 years and the recipient of daily love notes he wrote into his 90’s. After marrying in 1962 and having their first child, they moved to the Philippines and continued to grow their family and his medical career. They returned to the US in 1966 and eventually settled in Latham, NY where they raised their four children.

From 1970 to 2007, Sid had a full-time private practice in thoracic surgery and cared for thousands of patients at St. Peter’s, Albany Memorial, St. Mary’s, and Samaritan Hospitals, as well as the now closed Child’s, Cohoes Memorial, and Leonard Hospitals. He was a member of eight local and national medical societies and served in leadership positions including the Chief of Thoracic Surgery at St. Mary’s Hospital and the President of the Medical-Dental Staff at Cohoes Memorial Hospital. As a pioneer in permanent pacemaker surgery, he implanted the first dual-chamber pacemaker in the Northeast, a device that his body received a month before the end of his earthly life.

After retiring from surgery and in gratitude to the US for freeing the Philippines from Japanese control during World War II, Sid worked as a contractor to the Military Entrance Processing Station and then as a Chief Medical Officer there for 14 and a half years, retiring two weeks after his 93rd birthday.

Outside of his medical work, Sid was active in the Filipino-American Bayanihan Association of the Capital District, serving on several committees and as President for three terms. He also served for many years as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Ambrose Church in Latham.

In his free time, Sid enjoyed being with his children and grandchildren, playing tennis and golf, retreating to his Adirondack lakehouse, eating Asian food, attending dinner dances, reading about history, reciting poetry that he memorized in childhood, relaxing with a granddog in his lap, and simply being in the presence of his beloved “Ang,” Irene.

As impressive as his professional accomplishments were, Sid was even more admired and renowned for the way he treated people and improved their lives. He greeted everyone with a smile, asked and used their name, and passionately believed that every person he encountered was important and worthy of kindness and respect. He provided his children with many opportunities to develop their talents and skills and took them on international travel adventures, including Christmas holiday trips to his homeland. He generously funded the educations of family members and friends in both the US and the Philippines. He said “I love you” sincerely and often.

Sid’s legacy of love includes his children Laura Bulatao (and Matthew Alpern), Sharon Summer (and John De Fiore), Keith (and Anne) Bulatao, and Linda Martone (and John McCabe); his grandchildren Jared (and Ana) Alpern, Samahria Alpern, Amanda Sumner (and Robert Watson), Melody (and Alex) Heart, Brittany Sumner, Lyndsay Sumner (and Mairead Whitford Jones), Sydney Bulatao, Garrett Bulatao, Willow Ryan, and Kateri Ryan; his sisters Erlinda Lejano, Conchita Bulatao, Prosie (Jaime) Cortez, and Zenaida Tamayo; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

In addition to Irene, Sid’s parents Leon and Esperanza Bulatao, his sister Virginia Asprer, and his brothers Ernesto, Armando, and Rolando Bulatao also welcomed him into the place of infinite, eternal love.

Sid's family is very grateful to Sherri Rulison and Trudy Johnson for giving Sid such loving, compassionate care as he adjusted to life without Irene.

Sid repeatedly expressed his love and gratitude for Trudy, who expertly cared for him and Irene until their very last breaths as if they were members of her own family. Sid’s family will forever consider her a Godsend.

A calling hour will be held at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 498 Watervliet-Shaker Rd. in Latham, NY on December 31, 2025, at 10 a.m., followed by a mass at 11:00. His burial will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery at 79 St. Agnes Highway, Cohoes, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Community Hospice whose team led by Stephanie Wilson also brought tender compassion and comfort to Sid and Irene.