Dr. Joseph P. Magre

1934 - 2016

Dr. Joseph P. Magre, 81, passed away at Flagler Hospital on May 21, 2016, surrounded by his family. He was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1934.
After attending college in Beirut, Dr. Magre did his medical training in France at the French Faculty of Medicine. He came to the United States in 1962 and interned in Washington, D.C., at Georgetown University. He also completed his general surgery residency in Washington, D.C. After this, he completed his Vascular and Thoracic residency at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In Pittsburgh, he studied under the renowned Dr. George McGovern who was a pioneer in innovative valve replacement surgery and cardiovascular surgery. In 1969, Dr. Magre relocated to Lock Haven, Pa., where he started the Vascular and Thoracic Surgery Program. Due to cold winters and his love of St. Augustine, he came to Flagler Hospital in 1974 to continue building the surgical program there, which was in need of surgeon due to the retirement of Dr. Vernon Lockwood. He established Flagler Hospital's first Vascular and Thoracic surgery programs, as well as the Angiography Lab, and he performed the first pacemaker insertion in St. Augustine. He was also associated with St. Augustine General Hospital where he performed the first laparoscopic procedure. He gave his life to his surgical practice at both hospitals, and even when he retired from surgery, he went on to do wound care and was a board certified wound care physician. When he retired, he left his practice in the skilled hands of his partner and friend, Dr. Mark Dobbertien. Dr. Magre always participated in programs to care for the needy, homeless and the indigent, and when needed, he often made home visits. Many colleagues who know and worked with Dr. Magre have a great deal of respect for his major contributions to Flagler Hospital and St. Augustine General Hospital.
Dr. Magre was the first patient in St. Augustine to do home dialysis and was enjoying the home setting very much when he became suddenly ill. His wife was his dialysis caregiver and together they learned the process with help from the wonderful DaVita Home Hemodialysis nursing staff.
He is survived by Joan Magre, his wife of 28 years, who was his nurse for the entirety of his surgical career; sons Christian and Alain Magre; daughters Leslie and Claudine Magre; step-daughter Jennifer Ledford and son-in-law Daniel Ledford; grandchildren Amber, David, Macy and Owen Ledford, and Maya Magre. His grandchildren were the love of his life. He was adored by all of them and was the most amazing PaPa. He will be missed by his friends and family who will always remember his booming voice and laugh.
He is also survived by his sisters Nadia Chartouni and Lodie Magre Attiyeh and niece Marlene Adeimy, who live in Lebanon; nephews Nabil and Fouad Chartouni and their families, who reside in Greenwich, Connecticut, and New York City.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at San Sebastian Catholic Church with prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at San Sebastian Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Good Samaritan Health Centers, Inc., Wildflower Clinic located at 268 Herbert St., St. Augustine, FL 32084.
Craig Funeral Home Crematory Memorial Park is in charge of arrangements.