Paul Albert Mori, Jr., MD, FACR, 92, passed peacefully after a brief illness at Baptist Medical Center Beaches on Wednesday September 6, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Minna Lee Conn, sons Mark, Kurt and, Thorpe Mori, daughter Meredith Mori Lord (Peter Lord), niece Marsha Zilch, grandchildren Ryan Mason (Jenny Mason), Lindsay Lord, Greta Mori, Phoebe Mori, Mark Mori and great grandchild Leon Mori Mason.
Dr. Mori was a renowned physician, community servant, and family man. His positive energy, healing spirit and kindness touched thousands of people. A humble and selfless man, consummate professional, dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, he was loved and respected by all.
Paul was born in South Amherst, Ohio, on May 5, 1925. He attended Ohio State University, completing both undergraduate studies and medical school by age 22. Paul completed his radiology residency at University of Michigan in 1955. He was Board certified in both Radiology and Nuclear Medicine He served as Navy Flight Surgeon during the Korean War. He was also a Medical Technical advisor to the US Army, and Senior Medical Officer, US Navy.
Paul and his family moved to Jacksonville in 1956 where join the medical staff at Baptist Memorial Hospital (now Baptist Medical Center) during its first year of existence. Paul co-founded Mori, Bean and Brooks Radiology, PA, providing radiology services to local hospitals and the community. He also founded the School of Radiologic Technology at Baptist Hospital. He served Baptist Health for 46 years in a variety of leadership roles including Chief of Radiology. He was a member of the hospital Board of Directors until his retirement in 2003.
Dr. Mori was a Fellow, American College of Radiology, Diplomate, American Board of Nuclear Medicine, and Diplomate, American Board of Radiology. He served as President of the Florida Radiological Society, and a recipient of their prestigious Gold Medal award. He served as Chairman of the Hospital Affairs Committee of the Duval County Medical Society, and received the Beal's Award for Outstanding Medical Research. He was on the Executive Committee, Chairman of Civic Affairs Committee, and Chairman of the Freedom Train Committee of the American Bicentennial Commission of Jacksonville. He also served as a Director of the Florida Division of the American Cancer Society.
Rotary International was an integral part of the community service in Paul's life for more than 50 years. He lived the Rotary motto "Service above Self". Paul served as President of the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville, Governor of Rotary District 694, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. Dr. Mori was an international emissary for Rotary, sharing hospitality, good will and Rotary's mission in many different countries. On one international trip to the Philippines, Dr. Mori met with then President Marcos on behalf of Rotary, and gave him a key to the city of Jacksonville.
Dr. Mori travelled the world with his wife and family, including in Europe, South America, the Middle East and Asia, sharing his medical knowledge and allowing his children to experience and learn about many different countries and cultures. He was an honorary consultant to the British Health Service, and spent time sharing his expertise with four hospitals in London including The London Hospital, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Guy's Hospital, and St. Thomas' Hospital.
One notable international trip that included his family was a month long medical mission trip to Africa with a group of physicians in a remote township in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Each member of Dr. Mori's family participated and helped with the mission in different ways.
Paul highly valued education and served as an instructor and competition judge with the Joe Berg Foundation (for bright high school students). He received a Certificate of Merit from The American Cancer Society for writing and producing the film, Where There's Smoke, one of the earliest anti-smoking films. He was also a published author and editor, including two editions of the textbook, Radiology for Emergency Physicians.
A memorial service celebrating Paul Mori's life will be held Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 11:00 am, Riverside Presbyterian Church, 849 Park Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32205.
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Published in the Florida Times-Union from Sept. 29 to Sept. 30, 2017
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