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{at}cma.ca; fax 613 565-5471.

Côté, Paul Emile, Québec; Université Laval, 1941, radiation oncology. Died Sept. 23, 2007, aged 92. “Dr. Côté was an Honorary CMA Member.”

Dumaine, Leon Daniel, Edmonton; Université de Genève, Switzerland, 1957, general surgery. Died Sept. 24, 2007, aged 81.

Huang, Dennis Chia Nan, Scarborough, Ontario; University of Toronto, 1979, diagnostic radiology. Died Sept. 27, 2007, aged 52.

Maharaj, Charles Ramnanan, Swan River, Manitoba; Université de Pierre et Marie Curie, France, 1962. Died Sept. 25, 2007, aged 75. “Dr. Maharaj was born in Princess Town, Trinidad and moved to Canada to pursue his education in Winnipeg, Man. He went on to receive doctorates in medicine from both the University of Paris and the University of Manitoba. Dr. Maharaj met his lifelong sweetheart, Georgette Marie Aline (Nault) Maharaj — a nurse's assistant — at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg. They were married in 1962 and eventually moved to Benito and then to Swan River, where they worked side-by-side for the next 45 years in the practice of medicine. Georgette also recently died on Sept. 30, 2007. Dr. Maharaj and his wife leave behind daughters Calista and Adora; son-in-law, Timothy; and their many friends and relatives.”

Simonik, Frank, North York, Ontario; Univerzita Palackeho, Czechoslovakia, 1952. Died Sept. 21, 2007, aged 81.

Smith, Donne Watson, St. Andrews, New Brunswick; Dalhousie University, 1947. Died Sept. 19, 2007, aged 85. “Dr. Smith was the beloved husband of 60 years of Mary Aileen (Somerville). He was the cherished father of Donne Watson Jr. (Terrence Stewart); Richard Charles (Deborah McLennan); and Mary Barbara. In 1950, Dr. Smith and his wife moved to St. Andrews, NB, where for the next 55 years, he demonstrated a commitment to patients and to the medical community of Charlotte County. A former member of the St. Andrews Town Council, he was chairman of the district school board when the Sir James Dunn Academy was opened. He was an executive member of the Boy Scouts and of the John Howard Society, and was president of the Kiwanis Club and Heather Curling Club. A co-founder of the St. Andrews Health Centre, he also chaired the Sir James Dunn Scholarship Committee. Dr. Smith had a lifelong commitment to education in both his family and his community. He supported and encouraged his children in all their endeavors throughout their lives. His was a long and fulfilled life, which encompassed his profession, community and family. He will be sadly missed.”

Swanson, Arnold Leonard, Calgary; McGill University, 1943. Died Sept. 29, 2007, aged 89.

Szyrynski, Victor, Gloucester, Ontario; University of Warsaw, 1938, psychiatry. Died Sept. 21, 2007, aged 93. “Dr. Szyrynski was the former head of the Department of Psychiatry at the Ottawa General Hospital. He was born in St. Petersburg, spent his early childhood in Finland and was educated in Poland, England and Canada. He served as a medical officer with the Polish Forces from 1941 to 1947 in Africa and the Middle East. In 1945, he met Jadwiga Szczebiot — a nurse with the Polish Forces in Bagdad, and they were married in 1947. After the war, they were offered asylum in London. After he had completed his graduate studies in England, he was invited to Canada by the University of Ottawa to teach psychiatry. In 1949, he completed his PhD in psychology at the University of Ottawa. In 1964, he became the the head of the Department of Psychiatry at the Ottawa General Hospital. He also became the director of the interdenominational Centre for Pastoral Psychiatry at Saint Paul University in Ottawa; senior consultant at the Royal Canadian Air Force Rockcliffe Hospital and was promoted to wing commander in the RCAF reserve in 1959. He taught for over 2 decades at the Canadian Police College of the RCMP. For over 40 years, Dr. Smith's research and clinical work focused on community and on family psychiatry. Throughout his life in Canada, he remained dedicated to several Polish–Canadian community organizations. He was chairman of the Canadian branch of the Polish Institute of Arts and Science in America, member of the Polish Research Institute, member of the Polish Combatants Association and member of the Polish Congress. He travelled in Europe, the Middle East and East Africa and climbed the highest African summit, Mount Kilimanjaro. He published over 70 articles, and delivered over 500 lectures. His fellowships include The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the American College of Physicians, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Neurology, the British Psychological Society and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, England. He is also a recipient of the Confederation Medal of Canada (1992), Officer and Commander of the Order of Polonia Restituta (1958, 1989), Order of the Holy Sepulchre (1967), Order of St. Gregory the Great (1982), Gold Medal of the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine, USA (1959) and the Polish Silver Cross of Merit with swords (1945). He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jadwiga; his 2 daughters, Barbara (Joseph Stachulak) and Theresa Aubanel.”

Tilley, Joseph R., Edmonton; University of Alberta, 1973, family medicine. Died Oct. 1, 2007, aged 58.