FOLEY — The Forward City lost a man who helped shape the city’s medical community this week with the passing of Sandy Douglas McGill.

The 82-year-old Foley resident leaves behind quite a legacy as former Foley Hospital administrator.

“He was a very dedicated individual to the hospital and to the community,” said Arthur Holk, former Foley mayor. “We hate to lose him as a citizen, as a father and as a family member.”

Holk said McGill’s dedication to his work was unprecedented.

“The fact that he’d try to visit every patient in the hospital every day,” he recalled. “That’s very unusual for management.”

Baldwin County Board of Education School Board member Norman Moore agrees. He worked with McGill in Brewton’s hospital.

“I just really felt like he was a great person,” Moore said. “He was a very impressive gentleman. I had the ultimate respect for Sandy.”

McGill not only worked in the hospital industry, he also helped shape policy at both the county and state levels by serving on the South Baldwin County Healthcare Authority and the Board of Directors for the Alabama Healthcare Association.

“I had the pleasure of being on the Hospital Board with him for many years,” said Baldwin County Probate Judge Tim Russell. “The thing that impressed me so much about him was his compassion and care for the patients. He was such a kind and gentle man.”

That care extended to the community by serving as a Foley Rotary Club member. In addition, the Bay Minette native was also deeply involved in church. McGill was even instrumental in the formation of both Orange Beach United Methodist Church and Morgan’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Bon Secour.

A self-taught musician, McGill shared his talent of signing and playing piano and organ regularly in church.

After graduating from Baldwin County High School in 1948, McGill attended the University of Alabama for two years before entering the U.S. Army, where he served for two years beforing going on to work full-time with the Alabama National Guard in Bay Minette for 12 years.

McGill was preceded in death by his father, John H. McGill, mother, Vivian Lee McGill and four brothers, Jack H. McGill, Joseph Ned McGill, Frank E. McGill and John E. McGill. He is survived by his wife Sylvia McGill of Foley , one son John Bruce McGill of Orange Beach, daughter Jo McGill Hellmich (Ralph G.) of Foley; a sister, Sara Ezell of Tuscaloosa; three grandchildren, Kristin Hellmich Roberson, Kurt Hellmich and Kate Hellmich; a great-grandson, Caleb King; and beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation and the funeral were held Wedensday and Thursday, respectively, at Wolfe Bayview Funeral Home in Foley. Burial followed Thursday afternoon at Bay Minette Cemetery in Bay Minette.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests making donations to the Sandy McGill Scholarship Fund in care of South Baldwin Health Care Authority 1613 North McKenzie Street Foley, AL 36535 or to the Morgan Chapel United Methodist Church Building Fund.