Marius Mihai Wagner M.D.

of Tucson, Arizona passed away on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. He was 68 years old.

Dr. Wagner was born in Transylvania, Romania to Drs. Julius and Victoria Wagner who instilled in both his sister, Gabrielle and him a sense of duty to care for the sick. Dr. Wagner graduated from medical school at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, Romania, and following his studies immigrated to America on March 4, 1975 - a day that he would henceforth refer to as "Freedom Day." Once arriving in New York City, he completed his internship and residency at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital before completing his Cardiology Fellowship at Coney Island Hospital. Dr. Wagner was Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular disease. He was a member of the American College of Cardiology.

In 1983 he moved to Tucson, Arizona, to start a medical practice. For the next thirty four years Dr. Wagner practiced interventional cardiology as a partner at Pima Heart Associates. Dr. Wagner practiced medicine as he lived his life: with integrity, dignity, and a respect for humanity. In his final days, an endless line of patients contacted the family to pay their respects to a physician who profoundly impacted their lives. Dr. Wagner was more than a doctor - he was a healer.

Dr. Wagner lived his life to the fullest. He was passionate about travel and photography. Both he and his wife travelled the globe. He was a lifelong learner and avid student of history and philosophy. He had a deep love and understanding of music. As a young adult, he was a violinist in the young professional orchestra in Romania. Dr. Wagner was also an accomplished hiker. His favorite place in all the world was the Grand Canyon, and in 2016 he hiked the Canyon three times (including a one-day rim-to-rim hike).

Survivors include his loving wife and soulmate of 36 years, Shirley Wagner; three sons, Richard (Molly) Wagner of New York City, Patrick Wagner of Tucson, and Dr. Eric Wagner of Houston; sister, Dr. Gabrielle Wagner of Erlangen, Germany and nephews, Philipp Wagner of Stuttgart, Germany and Dr. Frederik Wagner of Jena, Germany. He loved and embraced his extended family in Michigan and Ohio. He was predeceased in death by his parents.

Prayers by Father Earl Cantos of St. Demetrios Orthodox Church and eulogy by Dr. Wagner's three sons will be offered at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Chapel of EAST LAWN PALMS MORTUARY, 5801 E. Grant Road in Tucson, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that charitable donations be made in Dr. Wagner's memory to the Defeat GBM Research Collaborative (http://defeatgbm.org/). Correspondence to the family may be sent to greathealer75@yahoo.com.