Charles Callan Mary Jr., M.D.

With a heavy heart, we mark the end of an incredible life. Charles Callan Mary, Jr., M.D. passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 5, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Charles ("Charlie," "Doc," "Poppy") was a devoted Catholic, son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend and physician. He was inspired in life by his faith, by education and a deep sense of purpose. Charlie was a native New Orleanian who attended Our Lady of Lourdes Grammar School. In 1954, he was in the second graduating class of De La Salle High School, where he gave his valedictory speech entitled "Quo Vadis?" ("Where are you Going?"), in which he encouraged his fellow classmates to choose their path forward in life with purpose. Like his father and three sons, Charlie attended Loyola University of the South. He initially studied pre-dentistry following his father's footsteps, but his interests soon changed, and he entered the pre-med curriculum instead. After Loyola, he enrolled in Louisiana State University Medical School, graduating in 1961 with a Doctor of Medicine degree. Following graduation there, Charlie completed an internal medicine residency at LSU's Medical School and then joined the faculty in the Department of Medicine. Charlie dedicated 18 years of his early professional life to Charity Hospital and its patients, staff and students. Charlie had an unrivaled passion for Charity, where he progressed from student, intern, resident, Assistant Clinical Director and then, in 1970 (at 33 years old), to the position of Medical Director and CEO . . . and he loved every minute of it! In 1973, Gov. Edwin W. Edwards appointed Charlie as the first Commissioner of the newly created State Department of Health, Social and Rehabilitation Services, as well as State Health Officer. In 1974, Charlie went into private practice and soon thereafter founded the Mary Medical Clinic in New Orleans. He was militant in continuing his education through seminars and conferences, ever exploring better ways to treat the sick. Charlie became a pioneer in alternative medical treatments, including the use of high dose intravenous Vitamin C to treat both himself and his patients. Later in his career, Charlie relocated his practice to St. Jude Medical Center in Kenner, and then Elmwood Medical Center in Metairie, where he would continue to practice internal medicine until his semi-retirement in 1997. He maintained his medical license for over 61 years until his passing, and Charlie continued to see patients on a limited basis until Hurricane Ida in 2021. Also, Charlie had a live local radio show called "Ask Dr. Mary," and he was on the air 5 days per week for over 15 years. Charlie's zeal for his faith was fundamental to his life. Starting as an altar boy at Our Lady of Lourdes and continuing throughout his adulthood, he served and participated in many capacities, including as: a Knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great; a Knight Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem; a Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta; a recipient of the Order of St. Louis IX (Archdiocese of New Orleans); a member of both the Board of Regents and Board of Trustees of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.; and a member of the Board of Trustees of La Roche College in Pittsburgh, PA. His parents' deep-rooted love of Mardi Gras instilled in Charlie the respect of traditions and celebrations of Carnival. He was active in the Knights of Babylon, where he participated since childhood as a rider, an officer, board member and ultimately Captain and Capitan Emeritus. He served as Captain after his father's 30 plus year tenure. Dr. Mary was an ardent football fan (especially LSU and the Saints), an avid tennis player, a notorious joke teller and a lover of Antoine's lamb chops, floating islands and champagne. Charles was preceded in death by his father, Charles Callan Mary, D.D.S., and his mother Myrtle Franichevich Mary. He is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Lynn Boesiger Mary, their 5 children, Charles Callan Mary, III, M.D., Brandon Edward Mary, Charlotte Claire Mary Zink (Ben), Cameron Matthew Mary (Randi), Mignonne Cecile Charité Mary Hammel, M.D. (Douglas), their 14 grandchildren, Charles Callan Mary, IV (Charlotte), Campbell Wayne Mary, Madison Alexander Mary, Amelia Rivé Mary, Alexandra Sofia Mary, Mila Schon Mary, Delainey DeRenville Mary, Avery Evelyn Zink, Callan Harold Zink, Cameron Mathew Mary, Jr., Hadley Elizabeth Mary, Lynn Mary Hammel, Eleanore Reese Hammel, Charlotte Johanna Hammel, his sister, Charlene Mary Sinclair, and his nephews and nieces, Daniel Sterling Sinclair, Jr., Callan Edward Sinclair (Yarrisa), Diane Mary Sinclair Smith (Randy), Cayman Charles Sinclair (Sara) and Carra Adelea Sinclair and their children and grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick's Church, 724 Camp Street in New Orleans, on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. The interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please extend a random act of charity (known only to you) to someone in need . . . and think of Charlie. To view and sign the guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.