Arthur Joseph Garceau

Dr. Arthur Joseph Garceau, long time resident of Norwell, MA, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2021, surrounded by family in Maine where he spent the last year of his life. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1928 to Grenville and Elizabeth Garceau, Arthur spent his boyhood on a small farm in Pembroke with his siblings, many chickens and an ornery pony. He graduated from Pembroke High School and went on to earn a BA from Duke University and an MD from Harvard Medical School in 1959. He served as a medical resident at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital from 1954-1956, worked for the US Public Health Service at NIH from 1956-1958 and was chief resident at Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, where he then directed the teaching program until 1961. Forward thinking and committed to his craft, in 1962, Garceau conceived of and built the South Shore Medical Center together with four other doctors. He later founded the South Shore Hospital Cardiac Unit, serving as its medical director for 18 years. Always ahead of the curve, he advised his patients to quit smoking, develop more consistent exercise habits and eat healthy before these became popular trends. Active in town government throughout his life, he advocated for tax increases to support Norwell Public Schools and campaigned for many local and state democratic politicians. His civic service included 15 years on the Norwell Board of Health, 22 years as the Norwell Fence Viewer, and many years as the appointed representative of the Water Board for the Affordable Housing Partnership of Norwell. His friends and family would agree that Arthur loved an adventure, whether traveling the world or in pursuit of his many hobbies closer to home. He cycled, skied, hiked, played tennis and golf, and ran three marathons after the age of forty. Of all the places in the world, his favorite place to be was home on the North River where he loved to swim, float the tide with friends and family, tend his grapevines and gardens and make wine. As an avid reader, Arthur's encyclopedic knowledge of history and remarkable memory always enlivened any gathering he attended. He will be sorely missed. Arthur is survived by his wife Jacqueline Page Garceau, brother Grenville Garceau and wife Joanne, and predeceased by his brother John Garceau and sister Charlotte Treuenfels. He is also survived by his three children Gilbert Garceau and wife Simone, Pam Sibbald and husband Doug, and Dorothy "Dee" Garceau and their mother Davida Madden, stepdaughters whom he helped to raise - Julie Franklin and Denni Edlund - and his other loving stepchildren Dawne Barrett, Darah Angelus, Taryn Zuccala, Liza Kearney, Jared Edlund and Josh Edlund and predeceased by Brian Winiewicz. He leaves behind his caring niece Nokuthula Ngwenyama and many loving grandchildren, a great grandchild, nieces and nephews and extended family. Donations may be made in his memory to the North and South Rivers Watershed Association and/or the Norwell Public Library. A celebration of life will be held in Norwell on November 20, 2021 at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 11 am.

Arthur Joseph Garceau

September 8, 1928 - October 10, 2021

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