Albert James "James" Mamary, MD

June 12, 1967 – July 9, 2026

Albert James Mamary, MD, known throughout his life as James and professionally as A. James Mamary, MD, was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, physician, teacher, mentor, scientist, researcher, artist, outdoorsman, and loyal friend. Those who knew James remember not only his remarkable intellect but the warmth, generosity, and humor with which he shared it. He possessed a rare combination of scientific curiosity and deep compassion, bringing together his passions for medicine, anthropology, art, nature, and people throughout his life. Whether caring for patients, teaching young physicians, exploring the outdoors, or spending time with family and friends, James brought wisdom, kindness, curiosity, and genuine joy to every moment.

James was born in Hempstead, New York, and grew up in Binghamton, New York. From an early age, he developed a profound love of the outdoors through the Boy Scouts, ultimately earning the rank of Eagle Scout. During his college summers, he served as a wilderness river guide for Boy Scout expeditions in the Maine North Woods, introducing young people to canoeing, wilderness travel, leadership, and stewardship of the natural world. Those experiences shaped a lifelong appreciation for craftsmanship, exploration, conservation, and the joy of sharing nature with others. Throughout his life, he remained committed to environmental stewardship by creating the Shortridge Memorial Park Arboretum, building a wooden canoe by hand, and embracing adventures such as hiking Vermont's Long Trail.

James also possessed a deep appreciation for the arts and maintained lifelong friendships with artists and creative thinkers. His own artistic expression found its way into sculpture and painting, reflecting the same curiosity, patience, careful observation, and creativity that characterized both his life and his medical career.

Family was the center of James's life. He was the deeply devoted husband of CeliaSue Mamary (née Jaffe) and a proud and loving father to his daughters, Hannah Rose Doggett (Cameron Doggett) and LilyRuth Mamary. He treasured family adventures, from canoeing and camping trips—including journeys in the wooden canoe he built in his in-laws' basement—to travels throughout Israel and around the world. He delighted in supporting his daughters' passions, sharing velodrome experiences with Hannah Rose and LilyRuth, and traveling as a family to watch LilyRuth compete in juggling competitions. Nothing brought him greater happiness than seeing his daughters grow into remarkable young women.

James was the cherished son of Dr. Albert "Al" Mamary and Janet B. Manbeck and the loving brother of Dr. Anne J. Mamary. He was also the beloved stepson of Mary Mamary and a caring stepbrother and friend to Scott Tammetta, Peter Tammetta, and Kristin Tammetta Dickert.

James shared an especially close and loving relationship with his in-laws, Drs. Rita and Sydney Jaffe, who could not have loved him more had he been their own son. He was a dear brother-in-law and friend to Howard Jaffe (Dr. MaryEllen Goetz), Dr. David Jaffe (Dr. Judith Voynow), Sharon Jaffe (C. Allen Carson Jr.), and Dr. Jeremy Jaffe (Nancy Wolfson), and a treasured uncle to Aaron Jaffe, Vera Koskelo (Antti Koskelo), Rebecca Jaffe, Andrea Jaffe, Rachel Jaffe (Jack Laingen), and Noah Jaffe.

James earned his Bachelor of Arts from Haverford College and a Master of Arts in Anthropology from the College of William & Mary before receiving his medical degree from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship training in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at Temple University Hospital. His education in both medicine and anthropology reflected a lifelong belief that caring for a patient required understanding not only the disease, but the whole person.

Professionally, James devoted his entire medical career to Temple University, progressing from medical student to professor, physician, educator, researcher, and leader in pulmonary and critical care medicine. He served as Professor of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Assistant Program Director of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship at Temple University Hospital, and a member of the renowned Temple Lung Center, where he specialized in advanced lung disease and lung transplantation.

Dr. Mamary was board-certified in Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine, and Sleep Medicine. His clinical expertise included advanced lung disease, lung transplantation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung volume reduction therapies, and sleep disorders. His research explored respiratory failure in severe COPD, environmental and air quality influences on lung disease, and the long-term quality of life of patients recovering from prolonged respiratory failure. During his career, he authored more than sixty peer-reviewed scientific publications, along with textbook chapters and invited presentations, advancing his field while remaining steadfastly devoted to the patients whose lives inspired his work.

A nationally respected physician, Dr. Mamary was repeatedly recognized by Philadelphia Magazine as a Top Doctor in Pulmonary Disease from 2018 through 2026. Yet his greatest professional legacy was never measured by titles, awards, or publications. It lived in the trust of his patients, the admiration of his colleagues, and the generations of physicians whose careers he helped shape.

Patients consistently described James as compassionate, thoughtful, extraordinarily knowledgeable, and exceptionally gifted at explaining complex medical problems in understandable terms. Many credited him with giving them hope, extending their lives, guiding them through lung transplantation, and treating them with extraordinary kindness and respect. To his patients, he was the physician everyone hoped they would find—someone who listened deeply, cared genuinely, and never made anyone feel anything less than his highest priority.

To his students and trainees, James was far more than an accomplished physician. He was a generous mentor who freely shared his knowledge, encouraged curiosity, welcomed questions, and inspired countless young physicians to become not only better doctors but better human beings. His influence continues through those he taught, many of whom now care for patients using lessons they first learned from him.

Diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in 2020, James met every challenge with the same courage, curiosity, grace, humor, and determination that had characterized his entire life. He continued to care for patients, teach future physicians, publish research, create art, travel with his family, and embrace each day with gratitude and purpose. The years following his diagnosis became not merely years of survival, but years lived fully and intentionally.

James and Celia were profoundly grateful to the many people whose extraordinary skill, compassion, and friendship supported them throughout his illness. They were especially grateful to Dr. Warren Maley of Jefferson Health, whose exceptional surgical skill made possible the complex operation that gave James nearly six additional years with his family following his diagnosis. They also remained deeply grateful for the remarkable physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals at Temple—many of whom James had taught, mentored, and helped train over the years—whose expertise, compassion, and love surrounded him throughout his illness. It was a profound reflection of the life he lived that so many of those he had taught ultimately became his caregivers.

James and Celia often remarked that he could not have received more expert, compassionate, or loving care than that provided by his Temple colleagues and friends. Their unwavering support became a lasting reminder of the extraordinary community James helped build throughout his career.

James leaves behind a legacy of compassion, intellectual curiosity, service, adventure, creativity, and love. He was a physician who healed, a teacher who inspired, a scientist who advanced medicine, an artist who found beauty in both nature and paint, an outdoorsman who delighted in sharing the wilderness with others, and a friend whose loyalty endured throughout his life. Above all, he was a devoted husband and father whose greatest joy was his family.

James requested in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made through the Albert James Mamary Memorial Fund at the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. Through this fund, James's commitment to advancing knowledge, supporting patients, and improving the lives of others will continue for years to come.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 13th, 2026 at Main Line Reform Temple at 12 PM. 410 Montgomery Ave. Wynnewood, PA 19096. Interment to immediately follow services at Laurel Hill West Cemetery.