George Joseph Arthur Magnant

George Joseph Arthur Magnant, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, died peacefully of natural causes on January 2, 2025 at the age of 96 at Shell Point Retirement Community in Fort Myers, Florida. George was born on September 1, 1928 in New Bedford, Massachusetts to Arthur and Evelyn Magnant. He is survived by his 8 children: Céleste Johnson (Ken), Charles Magnant (Anne), Colette Magnant (Dave), Renée Magnant (Evan), Joseph Magnant (Patty), Aimée Christian (Ben), Nicole Miller (Greg), and Annette Brenner (Doug). He is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and his sister, Claire Magnant. He is predeceased by his wife of 72 years, Marielle Aimée Dufour Magnant, and 2 sisters: Lucille Maynard and Janet Mathieu.

George accomplished remarkable things throughout his life. He attended Joliette boarding school in Quebec before transferring to Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts. At Assumption, George met his best friend Donald Dufour, who introduced George to the love of his life: Marielle, Donald’s sister. He attended Georgetown University School of Medicine, and after his first year, he married Marielle. George completed his residency at Bethesda Naval Hospital where he specialized in pediatric and adolescent medicine. George served eleven years in the Navy, honing his skills in infectious diseases. He had the honor of being actively involved in the polio epidemic of the 1950s, caring for children in the polio ward at the National Children’s Center and working tirelessly to administer the life-changing Sabin vaccine throughout the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

After completing his residency, George went into pediatric practice in Northern Virginia. George treated patients while Marielle ran the business side of the practice – they made a great team. George was passionate about pediatrics, and over the years, he treated three generations of Washingtonians. His patient population included a diversity of ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

George and Marielle had 8 children, many of whom worked in the office. It was this experience that inspired in them an interest in medicine, with 7 of the 8 pursuing careers in the medical field, and the eighth receiving a doctorate in law. 3 of his daughters became pediatricians, taking after their father. George’s children have often been asked the same question when introducing themselves to new patients: “Are you related to Dr. George Magnant? He was my pediatrician!”

After nearly 50 years of practice, George retired to Fort Myers in 2001. After a brief hiatus from medicine, George realized that something was missing in his life. He subsequently joined the Student Health center at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), where his expertise was welcomed and his counsel often sought. George worked at FGCU until he was 87, and he often marveled at how medicine had evolved over the course of his life.

Outside of the clinic, George loved spending time on the water. At Lake of the Woods in Virginia, he spent countless hours teaching his kids how to water ski and sail, and he could often be found with one of his many grandchildren on his lap, teaching them how to drive the boat. Later in life, George went on fishing expeditions in Florida and sailing excursions on the Chesapeake Bay. George was also actively involved in politics throughout his life, leading weekly “Discussion Club” meetings in DC and attending various political events in Fort Myers.

George was a devout Catholic whose faith was the foundation of his life. He regularly attended Mass and sang in the men's choir where his love of music and the Gregorian chant flourished. George was committed to his large and growing family. He was a strong influence on the lives of his children and grandchildren. His unwavering love and affection were apparent to all who were blessed to know him.

George's family would like to acknowledge the medical staff at Larsen Health Center as well as his loving caretakers (Michele, Mariette, and Mimi) who cared for him so lovingly during the last year of his life.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Cecilia Catholic Community in Fort Myers on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 10 AM with a Celebration of Life to follow in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the George and Marielle Magnant Scholarship Fund at Assumption University in Worcester, Massachusetts (www.assumption.edu/donate) or to Hillsdale College (www.hillsdale.edu/donate).