Edward Favis M.D.

1920 - 2018

Edward Alfred Favis, M.D., who practiced Internal Medicine in the Daytona Beach area for over 30 years, died peacefully at home on January 2, 2018. He was born in Philadelphia on October 11, 1920. His parents were Dr. Gregorio Favis, M.D., of the Philippines and Emilie Wagnetz of Philadelphia. He emigrated to the Philippines at the age of six, completed high school at the American Bordner School and graduated from the Jesuit college, Ateneo de Manila at the top of his class. A six footer, Ed played varsity basketball in college and was known fondly to his Filipino teammates as "the walking tower". While enrolled at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine as an American citizen, he survived starvation, bombing, and the Battle for Manila during the Japanese Occupation (1941-1944). On November 18, 1944, he married his life-long love and companion, Josephine da Roza. Ed loved and honored the United States for his whole life. As a medical student he frequently climbed to the roof of the hospital to cheer on the Marine pilots who engaged the Japanese in dog fights over Manila. After General MacArthur liberated Manila, Ed and Jo returned to the United States on the U.S.S. Admiral Eberly, the first evacuation transport vessel leaving from Manila to the States. The ship contained 5000 American citizens including prisoners of war and those interned at Santo Tomas by the Japanese. He arrived in Pennsylvania with $500, and eventually became the medical director of a tuberculosis sanitarium in White Haven, Pennsylvania. In 1957, after completing an Internal Medicine Residency at Jefferson Medical College, Ed and Jo relocated to Daytona Beach in pursuit of warm weather and blue skies. Ed became a loyal member of the Halifax Hospital medical staff. Additionally, he was a member of the American Medical Association, the Florida Medical Society, and the Volusia County Medical Society. He was a diplomate and Fellow of the American College of Physicians, a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, and the American College of Chest Physicians. Both his patients and his medical colleagues respected and honored him. The floor nurses at Halifax always expected him at 5 a.m. immaculately dressed in a suit and tie and nicely scented. From his first day of practice, Ed had a "No Smoking" policy in his office. He was advised to have separate restrooms for white and for black patients but he adamantly refused and the bathrooms were utilized by everyone. In 1960, at a Halifax Medical Staff meeting, he proposed that all cigarette machines be removed from the hospital. Although the motion was soundly defeated with cat calls of "that will never happen!", the HMC campus is now completely tobacco-free. Ed was an avid duplicate bridge player who obtained distinction as a Silver Life Master. He also was a dedicated tennis player until degenerative arthritis and knee surgery forced him to cease. Ed deeply loved and was proud of his entire family. He will be remembered as a warm and gentle man and a loving father. Ed was predeceased by his wife of 72 years, Josephine, his son, Steve (Judi), and his sister, Evangeline (Hayes). He is survived by his children, Dr. Gregory (Dr. Roberta), Cristina (Dr. Steven White), and Martin (Kathy). He has 11 grandchildren: Dr. Jessica (Trevor), Alexander (Arian), Dr. Amanda (Luther), Dr. Benjamin, Tara, Dr. Marisa (Dr. Dan), Evan, Allison, Kailey (Craig), Jazmine (Glenn) and Jennifer (Sean). He is also survived by great-grandchildren: Violet, Will, Sarah, Jacob, Elliot, Lucy, Clara, Genevieve, Lillian, Glenn Jr., Devin, Aiden, and Camryn. Additionally, he is survived by beloved family and friends: Barbara Cook, Hayes Graham, Delores Flaherty, Gloria Barretto, Vita Boyle, Marguerite McCauley, Natalia da Roza, Marjorie Campbell, Roseanne (Angelo) Davila, Rick (Sandy) Tomasello, and Dr. Luther Brady, Rose Carroll, Mary Minnis, Mary Wallis, and Brandy, the family dog. Family and friends will be received on Thursday, January 11, 2018, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Haigh-Black Funeral Home, 167 Vining Court, Ormond Beach. Chaplain Jim Smith will officiate at the prayer service. A funeral Mass with Father Bill Zamborsky presiding will be held at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 600 South Nova Road, Ormond Beach, on Friday, January 12 at 11 a.m. A luncheon reception will follow the Mass in the church social hall. A gift may be sent to the Halifax Health Foundation, 303 North Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach, Florida 32114.