Dr. Julius A. Mackie

BRYN MAWR, Pa. - Dr. Julius A. Mackie, 75, a gifted surgeon and professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine for 45 years, who taught his students to care about their patients, died of cancer on July 19, 2003, at his home in Bryn Mawr. At the age of 26, Dr. Mackie joined the faculty of Penn's School of Medicine. He remained at Penn until he retired in 2001, except for two years when he served as a surgeon in the U.S. Army in the late 1950s. "He was an exceptionally gifted technical surgeon," said Clyde Barker, a professor of surgery at Penn. Dr. Mackie's specialty was cancer surgery, especially pancreatic and breast cancer. From 1970 to 1980, he was the education officer of Penn's department of surgery. In 1987, the residents designated Dr. Mackie as their most valuable teacher. A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., Dr. Mackie earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina. He earned his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and was a recipient of the Mary Ellis Bell Award for research. He joined the staff at Penn in 1956 after completing his surgical residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Mackie maintained a home in Bryn Mawr and a farm in Villanova, where he enjoyed growing vegetables, planting seedlings with surgical precision. He was a member of several professional societies and an officer of the Medical Club of 13, an exclusive group of Philadelphia physicians. He was a former associate editor of The Journal of Trauma. He served on the vestry of the Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr and was a member of the board of the Shipley School. In addition to his wife of 16 years, he is survived by his son, Alexander; a daughter, Allison; three stepchildren, Inez, Gresham and Andrew O'Malley; and four grandchildren. A memorial graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, in Salem Cemetery in the family lot by Dr. Donald Goodheart. The family will receive friends following the service at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shore, 2809 Lazy Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27106. Memorial donations may be made to the Julius A. Mackie Jr. Surgical Fund, c/o Angela Wurster, Department of Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104.