In Memoriam

Ottawa; University of Ottawa, 1961; cardiothoracic surgery; founder and former director general, University of Ottawa Heart Institute; retired, Senate of Canada; officer, Order of Canada; recipient, F.N.G. Starr Award, the Canadian Medical Association’s highest honour; laureate, Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. Died April 7, 2019, aged 83. Survived by his wife Barbara, 3 children and 8 grandchildren. Ottawa Heart Institute President Dr. Thierry Mesana commented: “Together with Heart Institute staff, including those who worked alongside him for decades, I pledge that we will live up to his legacy, and his dream to continue growing his beloved institute.” Former Publisher Russ Mills commented in the Ottawa Citizen: “He was one of Ottawa’s greatest citizens. The term ‘world class’ gets bandied around a lot in times when it probably shouldn’t be, but one thing we do have that is really world class is the Ottawa Heart Institute. And this was his vision; without his plans and his effort, it just wouldn’t exist, and I’m sure it saved many, many lives.” When he was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in 2007, the citation stated: “He is regarded by colleagues as an icon and by patients as the essence of the caring spirit in medicine. A visionary, Dr. Keon turned his dream to build a cardiovascular institute into a magnificent reality as the founder of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute in 1976. The institute has risen to an international standard of excellence.”

Montréal; Université de Montréal, 1953; obstetrics and gynecology. Died April 8, 2019, aged 91.

Calgary; University of Calgary, 2018. Died April 2, 2019, aged 27. Survived by his parents and a sister. “After high school he attended the University of Alberta (U of A), where he obtained his BSc in biological sciences and chemistry with distinction. It was during this time that he discovered that he wanted to become a doctor. He performed biochemistry research throughout all 4 years of his degree, and then completed a year of graduate research in a biochemistry lab at the U of A. He was awarded the Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship for his research, and also volunteered at the U of A hospital throughout his time at school. He was then accepted into the University of Calgary Cumming School Of Medicine in 2015. He absolutely loved medical school, and it was his true calling and passion. His classmates and his teachers . . . became his second family, and he so genuinely cared for the patients he interacted with during his training.”

Guelph, Ont.; University of Toronto, 1959; general practice. Died April 1, 2019, aged 84. Survived by his wife Helen, 2 children and 3 grandchildren. “Toronto born, Don started his medical practice in Deep River, Ont., and later in his career moved to Milton and Burlington, Ont. He brought many children into this world as a general practitioner, and served many years as the victim’s voice in his duties as coroner. He also enjoyed collecting antiques, and the hunt was always better than the find.”

Gatineau, Que.; Université de Sherbrooke, 1983; psychiatry. Died April 1, 2019, aged 59. Survived by her husband, Patricio Ponce, and a son. “She was a dedicated psychiatrist who was deeply concerned about the well-being of her patients.”

Moncton, NB; Gdansk Medical Academy (Poland), 1964; anesthesiology. Died March 27, 2019, aged 80. “Dr. Sikora was an anesthesiologist at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont Hospital in Moncton, as well as at hospitals in the United States.”

Halifax; Dalhousie University, 1986; internal medicine, hematology; past president, Canadian Bone Marrow Transplant Group and Canadian Hematology Society; co-chair, Hematology Site Group at the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group/Cancer Clinical Trials Group. Died March 19, 2019, aged 58. “He was a general practitioner for two years in Elmsdale, NS, and then pursued further training in internal medicine at Dalhousie University, hematology at McMaster University and a National Cancer Institute of Canada Terry Fox Fellowship in bone marrow transplantation at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. Stephen joined the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University in 1997, where he was director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program for many years and hematology service chief/division head. Stephen was recognized nationally as a remarkable leader and his loss will be felt throughout the hematology community in Canada. While he was passionate about clinical trials and the science of hematology, his greatest satisfaction came from the care he delivered to his patients and his role as teacher of medical students and residents, which resulted in numerous teaching awards. Stephen exemplified the dedicated and compassionate physician, and countless students have benefitted from his mentorship. He always felt such great joy in seeing others succeed.” A patient’s wife wrote: “Dr. Couban was an expert in his field, and we feel he was a reason that my husband is alive today.”

Calgary; Dalhousie University, 1973; general practice; former medical officer, Canadian Forces. Died March 17, 2019, aged 76. Survived by his wife Bev, 5 children and 7 grandchildren. “After teaching school in PEI he realized he wanted to do more, and left for Dalhousie University to become a doctor. While in university, he sold Fuller Vacuums at night. Later, he joined the Canadian Forces’ Medical Officer Training Program to help pay his way through school. After leaving the military in the early 1980s he relocated the family to Didsbury, Alta. Hal practised medicine and helped so many people in Didsbury, Red Deer, Edmonton and, ultimately, Calgary, where the family relocated in 2000. He continued to practise and help others until the day he left us. Hal was clearly meant to be a doctor — he was always helping, and putting others before himself.”

Winnipeg; University of Western Ontario, 1941; general surgery; past president, Manitoba Medical Association. Died March 16, 2019, aged 101. Survived by 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. “Against the odds in those tough Depression times, Lloyd put himself through medical school. He then married Desta Kathleen Buse, a registered nurse, and they set out for the small, fly-in mining community of Favourable Lake, Ont. For 7 years they worked together and faced many challenges, including a serious forest fire. In 1950 the family moved to Winnipeg. Medicine mattered a great deal to Lloyd, and his accomplishments in the field were many. He developed surgical techniques and equipment, including the first cannulated intravenous needle. He was renowned as a diagnostician and was a tireless campaigner against the tobacco industry for the Canadian Medical Association. He mentored several generations of students, and was deeply moved when some of those doctors and nurses made a point of acknowledging him during his last weeks in hospital. In mid-life Lloyd developed an enduring passion for diet and exercise. He learned to swim and took up running and weight-lifting. His daily regimen became central to his well-being, and he was fortunate to have a wife who obliged his very definite ideas about diet with good humour and great competence. Lloyd always attributed his long good health and ability to maintain a remarkable level of independence to his strictly healthy lifestyle.” A grandchild of a former patient wrote: “In the late 1960s, Dr. Bartlett saw my grandfather for the first time. The family lore was that he told my grandfather to go home, quit smoking, start exercising and lose 30 pounds. ‘I don’t want a patient who is determined to kill himself’ is what we heard when the story was told. My grandfather respected the direct approach, and took the advice. He followed Dr. Bartlett’s prescribed diet for the rest of his life. Dr. Bartlett was a pioneer in being a doctor of wellness.”

Norwood, Ont.; University of Toronto, 1948; family medicine. Died March 15, 2019, aged 95. “Mary gained admittance to medical school with the help of a recommendation from Charles Best of Banting and Best, who discovered insulin in the 1920s. After a year honing her obstetrics skills in London, England, she hung up her shingle in Unity, Sask., for several years. In the early 1950s she returned to Toronto and opened her family practice on the Danforth, retiring in her 70s. She delivered hundreds of babies and spent so much time on each of her patients she always ran late, but no one ever complained. In memory of our Auntie Mary, please do something kind today.” A former patient wrote: “I can still hear her distinct, gentle and reassuring voice. And yes, you were never rushed — she always had time to listen.”

Calgary; University of Calgary, 1989; family medicine. Died March 14, 2019, aged 63.

Québec; Université Laval, 1963; general practice. Died March 6, 2019, aged 84. Survived by his wife, Johanne Tousignant, 2 children, a stepson and 7 grandchildren. “Everyone will remember a dedicated physician who was passionate about his profession and practised medicine for more than 50 years.”

Boucherville, Que.; Université Laval, 1967; medical administration; MBA; former director, professional affairs, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montréal; former secretary general, Canadian Medical Association (CMA); recipient, CMA Medal of Service. Died March 6, 2019, aged 79. Survived by his second wife, Claudette Savoie, 3 children, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When he was awarded the Medal of Service in 2013 for “outstanding and exceptional contribution to the advancement of health care in Canada,” then CMA President Anna Reid commented: “Over his 13 years as secretary general of the CMA, Dr. Landry breathed new life into the organization and transformed it into a proud, influential and truly national voice for Canadian physicians. His exceptional contribution to the advancement of health care in Canada makes him deserving of the CMA Medal of Service.” When he retired from the CMA in 1999 after serving as secretary general for 13 years, CMAJ wrote: “Landry was one of the first Canadian physicians to earn an MBA (1972). When asked why he decided to move to the CMA, he said: ‘I’m a builder and I wanted to build something. I thought I could bring entrepreneurship and innovation to an organization that had not realized its potential. . . . I need to feel that my organization is doing as well serving physicians as I feel physicians are doing serving their own patients. Today the individuals of medicine — the physicians — are doing well. It is the collective, the medical profession itself, which needs more work.’ ”

Whitby, Ont.; University of Glasgow (Scotland), 1949; general practice. Died March 2, 2019, aged 92.

Kingston, Ont.; University of Newcastle upon Tyne (England), 1948; family medicine. Died March 2, 2019, aged 93. Survived by 3 children, 2 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. “Dr. Barnett devoted the greater part of his career to his specialty and passion —hypnotherapy. He practised hypnotherapy for over 50 years and travelled the world speaking and lecturing on the subject. He also coined the term ‘analytical hypnotherapy.’ He practised family medicine in England and immigrated to Canada in 1966, where he continued with a family practice until 1975. He devoted the rest of his career to hypnotherapy and psychotherapy, and retired at age 89. Among his many positions, he served as chairman of the Department of Family Practice at the Kingston General Hospital, and he was also past president of the hospital’s medical staff.” The Kingston Whig-Standard reported: “Dr. Barnett spent 67 years practising medicine, beginning in the UK and ending in Kingston, where he worked as a family physician and hypnotherapist for 49 years. He retired in 2015, 3 months before his 90th birthday, making him Kingston’s oldest, longest-practising doctor.”

Toronto; University of Toronto, 1962; family practice. Died Feb. 24, 2019, aged 81. Survived by his wife Rosalee, 3 children and 3 grandchildren. “Seymour graduated from medical school in 1962 and retired in 2016. He devoted his career to family and geriatric practice. He was committed to providing the highest quality of care to his patients in consultation with the most renowned health care specialists in Toronto.”

Kamloops, BC; University of Toronto, 1968; internal medicine, respirology. Died Feb. 23, 2019, aged 75. Survived by his wife Robin, 2 sons and 4 grandchildren. “Dennis moved to Kamloops in 1975 and spent 35 years practising cardiopulmonary and critical care medicine. He was also instrumental in establishing the School of Respiratory Therapy at Thompson Rivers University. Dennis gave his heart and soul to treating his fellow Kamloops residents, and his dedication to his job cost him his health when he contracted hepatitis C. With the extraordinary gift of life though organ donation, he was able to live another 12 years. Dennis was highly respected for his medical knowledge and professionalism, had a great sense of humour and was always good for a soundbite when the local media needed an opinion. His efforts touched the lives of many, and made this small part of the world a better place.”

Ottawa; Queen’s University, 1951; general surgery. Died Feb. 23, 2019, aged 91. Survived by his wife, Charlotte Anne, 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

Chicoutimi, Que.; Université Laval, 1959; psychiatry. Died Feb. 21, 2019, aged 85. Survived by his wife, Jacqueline B. Plourde, 4 children and 6 grandchildren.

St. John’s; University of Liverpool (England), 1957; diagnostic radiology. Died Feb. 21, 2019, aged 85. Survived by his wife Mavis, 5 sons and 4 grandchildren. “He served as radiologist at the former Grace Hospital in St. John’s and at the Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital in Labrador City.”

Victoria; University of London (England), 1965; general practice. Died Feb. 20, 2019, aged 83.

Corner Brook, Nfld.; University College of Cork (Ireland), 1965; general practice, anesthesiology. Died Feb. 18, 2019, aged 85. Survived by his wife Daphne, 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. “Before retiring in 2009, Dr. Dureke spent many years as an anesthesiologist at the Western Memorial Regional Hospital. Previously, he was a wing commander and commanding officer of a Nigerian Air Force base hospital.”

Medicine Hat, Alta.; University of Alberta, 1990; family medicine. Died Feb. 13, 2019, aged 65. Survived by his wife Maggie, 5 children and 6 grandchildren. “In 1984, at age 31 and with 2 children, Sid decided to return to school to become a physician. He attended the Medicine Hat College and then medical school at the University of Alberta before completing a family medicine residency in Edmonton. Sid moved back to Medicine Hat in 1992 and built a built a huge and fulfilling family practice that defined his life over the next 26 years. He delivered hundreds of babies, and was a true family doctor.”

Salt Spring Island, BC; University of London (England), 1957; Royal Navy; diagnostic radiology. Died Feb. 11, 2019, aged 86. Survived by his wife Lynne, 4 children and 12 grandchildren. “Frank and Lynne immigrated to Canada in 1966 so Frank could work as a GP in rural Ontario. In 1970 the family moved to BC, where he trained in radiology and settled in the Fraser Valley.”

Edinburgh, Scotland; University of Glasgow (Scotland), 1958; psychiatry. Died Feb. 5, 2019, aged 84. Survived by his wife Judith, 2 children and a grandchild.

Courtenay, BC; University of Alberta, 1955; general practice. Died Feb. 1, 2019, aged 87. Survived by his wife, Mary Louise, 4 children and his grandchildren. “On returning to Canada after training in England, Don joined a family practice in Kimberley, BC, initially intending to stay for a short time. However, he became rooted there for 18 years due to the marvellous friends, community and outdoor life. In 1971, Don arranged for a unique and memorable 1-year exchange to Australia. In 1978 the family moved to North Vancouver, where Don brought the skills, values and compassion of a small-community GP to urban practice.”

Brockville, Ont.; University of Toronto, 1966; diagnostic radiology. Died Feb. 1, 2019, aged 76.

Windsor, Ont.; St. Joseph University (Lebanon), 1947; general practice. Died Jan. 29, 2019, aged 97. Survived by his wife Irene, 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. “One of the first doctors of Middle Eastern descent to practise medicine in southwestern Ontario, ‘Dr. Mike’ practised in Windsor for more than half a century, continuing past his 90th birthday. He enjoyed a special affinity with many of the city’s immigrant communities, which was made possible by his fluency in 5 languages. He loved his work. He was honoured with a medal for years of public service in the year of the Queen’s Jubilee, and was called ‘The People’s Doctor.’ With his wife of 69 years, Irene, and their long-time caregiver, the late Emilia (Bea) Rossi, he raised a pharmacist, an occupational therapist and 3 doctors. Mike is remembered widely for his unflagging work ethic, empathy, humour and worldliness.”

Oshawa, Ont.; Baghdad University (Iraq), 1992; orthopedic surgery; former chief of surgery, Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH), Lindsay, Ont. Died Jan. 23, 2019, following a traffic accident, aged 49. Dr. Bharat Chawla, chief of staff at RMH, said staff were “devastated” by his death. “Dr. Al-Beer was an exceptional orthopedic surgeon, but more than that, he was a good, kind person and a friend to so many at the Ross.” A former patient wrote: “I am shocked and saddened to hear of his tragic death. He was a very nice man and a very compassionate doctor.”

Surrey, BC; University of Saskatchewan, 1959; general practice. Died Jan. 22, 2019, aged 83. Survived by his wife Joanie, 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren.

Westlock, Alta.; University of Birmingham (England), 1963; general practice. Died Jan. 21, 2019, aged 79. Survived by 3 children and 3 grandchildren.

St. John’s; Dalhousie University, 1961; diagnostic radiology. Died Jan. 19, 2019, aged 84. Survived by 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren. “After medical school Spencer worked for several years as a general practitioner. He then went to McGill to do a residency in radiology, and in 1970 started work as a pediatric radiologist at the Janeway Child Health Centre, where he stayed until his retirement at the age of 72. Spencer was passionate about his work and loved his colleagues. He also enjoyed teaching and spent much of his career with a student sitting next to him. He was honoured when a radiology teaching award was named after him.”

Calgary; University of Calcutta (India), 1948; obstetrics and gynecology. Died Jan. 16, 2019, aged 94. Survived by his wife Karin, 2 children and 3 grandchildren. “He lived his 94 years to the fullest. At the time of his retirement in 2011 he was one of the longest-serving OB/GYNs in Calgary, having helped thousands of women with thoughtful and compassionate care, and having delivered hundreds of babies.”

Québec; Université Laval, 1962; endocrinology. Died Jan. 16, 2019, aged 81. Survived by his wife, Nicole Cantin, 5 children, 16 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Dr. Jean-Patrice Baillargeon, president of the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (CSEM), commented: “This eminent researcher and endocrinologist was Canada’s most-cited scientist, with more than 1,340 publications and 50,000-plus citations. In recognition of his work, he was awarded the Order of Canada and the National Order of Quebec, and as an esteemed member of CSEM, Dr. Labrie was recognized with the Dr. Fernand Labrie Fellowship Research Grant. He also founded one of the largest endocrinology research groups in the world at Université de Laval. His significant contributions to clinical medicine include the first treatment to prolong life for patients with prostate cancer. Additionally, his research on androgens and estrogens in women after menopause has contributed to the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.”

Spruce Grove, Alta.; University of Alberta, 1964; orthopedic surgery. Died Jan. 15, 2019, aged 81. Survived by his wife Lucille, 4 children and 7 grandchildren. “After completing his specialty training in 1970, Bob practised in Edmonton and Yellowknife for the following 47 years. He retired in January 2017.” A colleague wrote: “I was sad to see him retire from Grey Nuns, and it saddens me that he has retired from life. He taught me a lot about orthopedics and made me better at my job.”

Avoca, Que.; McGill University, 1943; internal medicine. Died Jan. 14, 2019, aged 100.

Vancouver; University of Western Ontario, 1983; family medicine, psychiatry. Died Jan. 10, 2019, aged 68. Survived by her husband John, a daughter and her grandchildren. “Dr. Donnelly was widely recognized as a Canadian pioneer in the field of geriatric psychiatry, and her devotion to senior patient advocacy helped to shape national education and policy.” The University of British Columbia (UBC) observed: “Dr. Donnelly joined the UBC Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Family Practice in 1987, and became a member of the Quarter Century Club in 2013. She received the Killam Excellence in Teaching Award in 2010 for her significant contributions to education within the faculty. Dr. Donnelly led the expansion of the geriatric curriculum at UBC as head and director of various divisions from 1987 to 2016, and was a tireless advocate of senior patients and their rights.”

Guelph, Ont.; University of Ottawa, 1954; internal medicine. Died Jan. 10, 2019, aged 92. Survived by his wife Madeleine, 6 children, 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Montréal; Medical University of Sofia (Bulgaria), 1958; general practice. Died Jan. 9, 2019, aged 84.

Stoney Creek, Ont.; Madras Medical College (India), 1979; anesthesiology. Died Jan. 5, 2019, aged 61. Survived by his wife Beenu and 2 children.

Windsor, Ont.; McGill University, 1945; anesthesiology. Died Jan. 4, 2019, aged 96. Survived by 4 children, 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. “Bill was a trusted and intensely loved anesthetist in Windsor and Essex County for over 45 years. He was often called out in all hours of the night by family and friends for medical advice, and was a trusted friend and companion to many. His love of medicine never left his heart.”

Scarborough, Ont.; University of Hong Kong, 1960; psychiatry. Died Jan. 3, 2019, aged 84. Survived by his wife Christine, 1 child and 3 grandchildren. “Man Pang practised psychiatry in various locations in Hong Kong, British Columbia and Ontario. He was among the first to employ computers in the field of addiction research, and held many positions, including acting head of the Addiction Research Foundation of Ontario. He was also an assistant professor at the University of Toronto and associate professor at Western University. He took great pride in serving and treating his patients with skill and compassion for nearly 5 decades, and published a plethora of academic papers, book chapters and articles.”

Winnipeg; Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), 1970; general practice. Died Jan. 2, 2019, aged 75. Survived by his wife Catherine, 3 children and 4 grandchildren. “Harold was born in Nigeria and studied law in England, but his true calling later led him to Ireland, where he would pursue a medical degree. He would practise medicine for 46 years, with a career that would eventually lead him and his young family to various rural communities in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, before settling with his family in Winnipeg and finishing his career with the team at the Riverwood Medical Centre.”

Vancouver; University of British Columbia (UBC), 1965; University of Toronto (ophthalmology), 1968-72; former staff and head, Surgical Day Care, Eye Care Centre, Vancouver General Hospital (VGH); clinical associate professor, UBC. Died Jan. 2, 2019, aged 78. Survived by a daughter and 2 grandchildren. “Mac was with the UBC/VGH Department of Ophthalmology from 1972 to 2005. He was a strong and principled individual with a mischievous nature and a wicked sense of humor. His greatest passion was his family, with whom he spent countless Sunday dinners cooking for, conversing, and debating. He died peacefully at home.”

Quispamsis, NB; University of Ain Shams (Egypt), 1960; radiology. Died Jan. 1, 2019, aged 85. Survived by his wife Nadia, 3 children and 4 grandchildren. “Samuel was born in Egypt and was a family physician and then an internal medicine specialist while living there. After moving to Canada in 1969, he attended McGill University and completed his residency in radiology. In 1975 he moved to Newfoundland, where he practised radiology in Stephenville and then in Carbonear, before retiring at a youthful 75 years of age.”