Dr. Jules Victor Jr.

Dr. Jules Victor, Jr., 90, died Tuesday, January 03, 2006 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jules and Cecelia Kassell Victor. He is survived by his devoted wife of sixty-two years, Leonora Huguenin Victor, and their three loving children: daughter, Carol Ann and husband George Erwin, and Carol Ann's two daughters, Cynthia Register of Atlanta and Alicia Workman and her husband Shawn of Savannah; son Jules Victor, III, wife Barbara and their three children, Courtney, Leonora and Jules IV; and son Neil Huguenin Victor, wife Patti and their three children Steven, Neil, and Meredith. He was additionally blessed with six great-grandchildren: Tessa Register, Hunter, Mia, Abigail and Alex Workman and William Victor. He also leaves behind his beloved brother, Irving Victor and wife Cissie, and several nephews, nieces, and many, many dear patients and good friends. Dr. Victor was born in Savannah, Georgiaon June 4, 1915. He received his education in the public schools of Savannah, graduated from Savannah High School, and received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Georgia, where he lettered in LaCrosse and was the Captain of the Boxing team. He attained his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia. He completed his residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida, where he earned distinction for performing the world's first packed cell transfusion. He proudly served his country in the Navy Medical Corps as a Lieutenant Commander during World War II. He returned to Savannah in 1946 and began the city's first Internal Medicine practice. He was well regarded as an instructor at the nursing schools for both Memorial Medical Center and St. Joseph's Hospital. Dr. Victor participated in the founding of the Memorial Medical Center and the Medical Arts Physician's Center. He also served as clinical instructor for the Medical College of Georgia. He was Chief of Staff of St. Joseph's Hospital, President of the Memorial Medical Center, and President of the Georgia Medical Society. He was extremely active in the field of diabetes, being instrumental in opening the first diabetic wing and diabetic ambulatory services at St. Joseph's Hospital. He was a charter member and President of the Georgia Diabetes Association. In 1996 Dr. Victor was recognized for fifty years of service to St. Joseph's Hospital, where it was stated that "over the span of five decades, his affability, congeniality, ready wit, good nature and kindness had been a charismatic beacon to all who called him a friend, his patient and peer alike". In 2003, Dr. Victor was awarded the John Rabun Award by the Georgia Medical Society. It was given in recognition of his contributions not only to health care but to the community at large. Dr. Victor retired from medicine in 2003 when his health no longer allowed him to continue practicing. Dr. Victor was a devoted member of St. John'sEpiscopal Church. He was an avid supporter of Anglican traditional liturgy and a member of the 1928 Prayer Book Society. He served as a delegate to the Georgia Diocesan Convention for twelve years, and was elected three times as a delegate to the Episcopal General Convention to represent the diocese of Georgia. He faithfully attended the Sunday morning early Holy communion service and served on the vestry as Senior Warden for two terms. He was a Vestry Emeritus and attended all Vestry meeting until he could no longer leave his home. Dr. Victor was a member of the Savannah Golf Club, the First City club, Fraternal Order of Masons, the Solomon's Lodge the German Heritage Society, and served as President of the Chatham club. He was the team physician of the Savannah Country Day Football team for twenty two years. Upon retiring, his dedication was recognized at a dinner held in his honor where it was announced that he had only missed one game in all of his years of service. Dr. Victor was also an exuberant fan of the University of Georgia's football team. He also thoroughly enjoyed Tybee Island where he resided every weekend for the last twenty-five years. Dr. Victor touched so many lives in our community, but most assuredly his primary focus was his family. His wisdom, strength, and powerful love of life and compassion for others will be the legacy for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to emulate in the coming years. They will live according to the life guide he taught: "To love God and man and to seek to serve them both." Funeral Services will be Saturday, January 7, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church. The family will receive guests at the Parish House following the service. Honorary Pallbearers are the Vestry of St. John's Episcopal Church. Remembrances to St. John's Episcopal Church Preservation Fund, The Nancy and Curtis Lewis Cancer Research Pavilion, c/o St. Joseph/Candler Foundations, 5353 Reynolds Street, Savannah, GA. 3145, and Hospice Savannah Inc. Savannah Morning News, January 5, 2005 Please sign our Obituary Guestbook at www.savannahnow.com