Deaths

Notice

Readers are invited to submit brief remembrances of recently departed colleagues. Colourful writing is encouraged, but please limit your notice to 150 words. Send to pubs@cma.ca; fax 613 565-5471.

Blanchard, James Ian, Vancouver; University of British Columbia, 1965, family medicine. Died Apr. 14, 2006, aged 65. “He is survived by his brother Murray (Alice), his loving niece Catina Carpenter (Scott) together with his grandniece and nephew Hanna and Zackery all of Dawson Creek. Ian will also be sorely missed by his good friend and traveling companion Coleen Oakey and her family as well as his many patients and friends in the Burnaby area.”

Decter, Allan, Winnipeg; University of Manitoba, 1957, urology. Died Apr. 13, 2006, aged 73. “He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Dena (nee Field); children, Maryam, Matthew (Dr. Jennifer Frain), Leah (Jeffrey Hatcher); grandchildren, Noah Decter-Jackson, Jacob Woods, Mischa Decter and Ari Decter-Frain; many cherished nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; his brother Dr. Oscar Decter (Joan); and his brother-in-law Judge Harvey Field (Randa Bloom). He was predeceased by his brother Dr. Percy Decter and sister Marge Schwartz.”

Dirks, Henry Theodore, Winnipeg; University of Manitoba, 1959, family medicine. Died Apr. 11, 2006, aged 76. “Predeceased by his parents, Alexander and Agnes Dirks, he will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Elizabeth (Betty); his 2 daughters, Mary Husband and Janet Dirks; sons-in-law, Dr. Jeff Husband and Peter Hogg; and 3 grandchildren, Samantha, Jillian and David Husband. He was an extremely caring and devoted family practitioner, serving the Kildonan community until formally retiring at age 75. While serving at Concordia Hospital, Henry headed the emergency department and then became Medical Director. In 2000 he was awarded the Martin Bergen Award for longstanding contributions to the community served by Concordia Hospital.”

Fortier, J.A. Bernard, Ottawa; Université de Montréal, 1938. Died Apr. 13, 2006, aged 94.

Handzel, Stanislav, Nepean, Ont.; Univerzita Palackeho, Lekarska Fakulta, Olomouci, Czech Republic, 1951. Died Apr. 29, 2006, aged 84.

Kaan, David Chee Yee, Winnipeg; University of Manitoba, 1960, anesthesia. Died Apr. 21, 2006, aged 73.

Li, Kwok-Chu, Vancouver; University of Hong Kong, 1955, psychiatry. Died Apr. 15, 2006, aged 75.

McGhee, John James, Prince George, BC; University of British Columbia, 1956, general surgery. Died Apr. 18, 2006, aged 74.

Palmer, John Dickinson, Salt Spring Island, BC; McGill University, 1941, general surgery. Died Apr. 17, 2006, aged 89. “Much loved husband of Diana, father of Susan, Heather, John, Diana and Ann, and grandfather to Diana, Ian, John, Matthew, Jess, Madelaine, Katie and Jane. John, a specialist in cancer care, was a distinguished surgeon at The Montreal General Hospital from the 1950s until his retirement. He also taught at McGill University, and was at one time team physician for the Montreal Canadiens. Outside medicine, he was a lifelong learner, always immersed in a new book, a surprisingly talented painter and accordion player, a keen outdoorsman and a sportsman. His medical career path was interrupted by the World War II, in which he served as a medical officer in the Canadian Navy before being seconded to the British Navy.”

Uleckas, Juozas, Toronto; Medizinische Fakultaet der Universitaet Heidelberg, Germany, 1961. Died Apr. 21, 2006, aged 88. “Beloved husband of Dr. Maria Arstikaitis, father of Jurate and Gintaras (Irene Armstrong), and senelis [grandfather] to Jonas, Kristina, and Simone. Gardening, Lithuania, books and his grandchildren were his passions.”

Vail, William, Newmarket, Ont.; University of Ottawa, 1952, general surgery. Died Apr. 21, 2006, aged 81. “Dr. Vail was an army private in World War II who became class president and valedictorian of his medical school class after the war and later served as president of the CMA in 1985–86. He is survived by 5 children, 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.”

Warrick, Hubert John, St. John's; University of London, 1955. Died Apr. 24, 2006, aged 82. “Predeceased by his loving wife, Pat, in 1997. Leaving with cherished memories four daughters: Mary (Steven Martin), Mississauga; Angela (Ray Martin), St. John's; Gillian, Bedford, NS; Nicola (Robin Crofts), Oxford, England; son Christopher (Caroline Hutchings), Sydney, Australia; grandchildren: Sean, Tara, Gillian, Colin, Hilary, Caroline, Robyn, Sam, Ben, Cara and twins Oliver and Katie; many other relatives and friends, especially his good friend Tina and his Sunday friend, the late Dr. John O'Dea.”

Yelland, Algernon Colin, Victoria; University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1950, anesthesia. Died Oct. 1, 2005, aged 79.