CREDI, DR. MAGDI, E. ~ went to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 27 under the care of hospice and surrounded by his loving family. Born on June 19, 1944 in Cairo Egypt from a Lebanese family, he was the son of the late Dr. Edmond Credi and the late Georgette Credi (nee Sayegh). He attended "College de la Sainte Famille" Jesuit School, and the Faculty of Medicine at Cairo University, graduating in June 1968. He fulfilled a mandated year of internship in 1969 before coming to the United States in 1970. He was accepted in the surgical residency program at the University of Rochester in New York, and completed his training in June 1976 . He moved to Batavia in July 1976 opening a private practice in General Surgery. He was board certified in 1978, re-certified every ten years and became Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in 1980. He considered himself blessed when the late Dr. Victor deSa, joined him in July 1979 and "Credi and DeSa Associates P.C." was formed in 1981.
Dr. Credi always believed that the United States was the best country in the world. He applied for immigration in 1974 and became a naturalized citizen in 1980.
Dr. Credi was on the active medical staff of both St. Jerome Hospital (SJH) and Genesee Memorial Hospital (GMH). In 1980 he was elected Chief of Surgery at GMH, a position that he held for twenty years providing exceptional care in the operating room. He was surgical director of the ICU at both SJH and GMH and was also involved in the ICU nursing education. He said that taking care of patients was satisfying but more satisfying was taking care of the critical patients in the Intensive Care Units (ICU), a difficult challenge he wholeheartedly met. He served on numerous hospital committees notably as chairman of the Pharmacy and Therapeutic committee. In November 1981, he was elected by the GMH Association to co-chair with the late Dr. Sydney McLouth, the GMH modernization campaign leading to building the current Emergency Department. As the turn of the century was approaching, Genesee 2000 was formed to address the need of the county in the new millennium. Dr. Credi felt that health care delivery was also to be examined. In 1994, he approached the Board of Directors of SJH and GMH as well as the medical staffs of both hospitals to plan for the future. Hence, merger talks were started and were completed by the year 2000. United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC) was born and he was elected the first chairman of the department of surgery at UMMC.
As he was considering retirement in 2011, The Genesee Council for Alcohol and Substance Abuse (GCASA) approached him to serve as Medical Director. He proudly held that position for six years then due to his illness, fully retired on October 1st, 2017.
He was often ready to serve outside his community whenever his surgical talent was needed, traveling through NYS and other States from 2000 until his retirement from surgery in 2012.
Dr. Credi became involved in the community shortly after his arrival. He did not hesitate to join the Genesee County American Cancer Society (ACS) and served as the president. He was instrumental in having the ACS sponsor the training of the first enterostomal nurse to serve in Genesee County, a skill that had been lacking and greatly needed.
Avidly interested in hockey, he became involved with the Genesee Amateur Hockey Association (GAHA) in the early to mid-eighties, later chairing the coaches committee. He also served as team physician for the Notre Dame football squad and was a past member of the Batavia Rotary Club believing in their motto "Service above self "
A member of Resurrection Parish for more than 40 years, Dr. Credi was deeply touched by the continuous prayers and support of the parishioners and others during his illness. He kept his faith in God, submitting to God's will. He served as Eucharistic Minister and was honored to lead the Liturgy of the Word on Tuesdays.
Once fully retired, he spent most of his time doing what he loved most, traveling to see his grandchildren in Massachusetts, Virginia and Georgia, and his first passion since 1959, making home movies. His children and grandchildren will cherish these productions forever.
Dr. Credi was dedicated to his family, his patients and his community. Married in Montreal, in April 1970 to Marie-Rose (nee Bichai) who survives him, they had six children: Candice Brady who predeceased him in 2016, Joanne (Mark Fredo) of Atlanta, Marc-Antoine (Lauren) of North Andover, MA, Jean-Jacques (Sami) and Robert of Atlanta and Elizabeth (Terry Owens) of Burke, VA and son-in-law, Jeff Brady of Buffalo. His dedication to his large family, including 8 grandchildren: Ryan Elizabeth Brady, Nicolas Fredo, Lila, Eve, Edison, Amaya and Anna Credi, and Dillon Owens did not keep him from providing quality care to his patients. He is also survived by two brothers: His twin Medhat (Sonia) of Elmsford, NY and Dr. Wagdi (Honya) of Troy, MI, several cousins, nephews, nieces, and in-laws.
A visionary and a man of strong principles, he will be greatly missed.
The Credi Family will be present from 2-8p.m. on Sunday September 30, 2018 at the MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWKSI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 West Main Street Road Batavia, New York 14020 where prayers will be recited at 9:30a.m. Monday October 1 followed by his Mass of Christian Burial 10a.m. at Resurrection Parish (St. Joseph's Site). Dr. Credi will be entombed in the Monsignor Francis L. Schwartz Mausoleum at St. Joseph's Cemetery, memorials in his memory can be made to Homecare & Hospice, Inc. 29 Liberty Street Ste 6 or a charity of the donor's choice.
Please share your thoughts and memories with Magdi's family at www.tomaszewskifh.com
THE FAMILY OF DR. MAGDI CREDI IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020.
