Notice — CMAJ welcomes obituaries submitted within 60 days of a death. These should be no longer than 200 words, and colourful writing is encouraged. Send to Patrick Sullivan, patrick.sullivancma.ca; fax 613 565-2382.
Colthart, John M., Markham, Ont.; University of Western Ontario, 1942; RCAMC, WW II; former physician Bell Canada, Xerox. Died Apr. 24, 2003, aged 87; survived by his children Dr. Carol, Jim, Peggy, Alice and Joan.
Currie, Donald J., Toronto; University of Toronto, 1947; general surgery; FACS, FRCSE, FRCSC; former chief of general surgery, assistant surgeon-in-chief and director, Animal Research Laboratories, St. Michael's Hospital; associate professor, University of Toronto; examiner and chair, Royal College; examiner, Medical Council of Canada. Died of cancer Apr. 27, 2003, aged 78; survived by his wife, Hélène, and 3 sons; coauthor of 2 medical photography texts, Photography in Medicine and Photographic Illustrations for Medical Writing, the first comprehensive books to apply the art of photography to the science and practice of medicine. “Proceeds from annual exhibits of his paintings were always happily donated to St. Michael's.”
Essig, Karl H., Montreal; Tübingen University (Germany), 1943; former chair, medicine, St. Mary's Hospital; lecturer, McGill University. Died May 18, 2003, aged 83; survived by his wife, Danielle, and 2 children.
Filbee, John F., Halifax; University of London (England), 1949; therapeutic radiology; MRCS, LRCP, DMRT, FRCPC; RAMC, WW II; former chief, radiation oncology, Halifax Infirmary; senior medical staff, Halifax Infirmary, Victoria General Hospital and Nova Scotia Cancer Centre; associate professor, Dalhousie University. Died from metastatic hypernephroma Aug 2, 2003; survived by his wife, Shirley, and 3 daughters. Colleague Peter Fitzpatrick commented: “In 1956 he was one of a young band of British radiotherapists recruited to Canada to initiate the nonsurgical treatment of cancer and develop nuclear medicine and radiotherapy services. For over 20 years he was 1 of only 2 or 3 full-time cancer specialists in Nova Scotia, but in spite of fearful odds he managed to keep up with the rapid advances in medical practice. His abilities were recognized early, for he was in the 10% of teenagers entering medical school when 90% of the spaces were reserved for ex-service personnel.”
Fink, Napoleon R., Gloucester, Ont.; McGill University, 1953; former staff, Riverside and Montfort hospitals and Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Died May 17, 2003, aged 76; survived by 4 children.
Gauthier, Roger, Acton Vale (Qué.); Université de Montréal, 1950. Décédé le 17 mai 2003, à l'âge de 79 ans; laisse son épouse Marie Dandurand et six enfants.
Hooker, W. Paul, Calgary; University of Southern California, 1972. Died May 23, 2003, aged 58; survived by his wife.
Lane, Peter L., Philadelphia; Queen's University, 1976; emergency medicine; FRCPC; former medical director, trauma services, and staff, London Health Sciences Centre–Victoria Site; staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sunnybrook Medical Centre; associate professor, University of Western Ontario. Died of cardiac arrest Aug. 27, 2003, aged 51; survived by his wife, Letizia, and 3 sons. His father Bob stated: “He was a dedicated pioneer in emergency and trauma medicine.”
Lunan, Maxwell D., Toronto; University of Toronto, 1941; otolaryngology; FRCSC; DPH; former staff, St. Joseph's and Northwestern General hospitals; consulting staff, Queensway General Hospital. Died June 4, 2003, aged 87; survived by his wife, Ruth, and 2 sons. “He was master of the one-liner.”
Mathieson, Robert, Sydney, NS; University of Glasgow (Scotland), 1948; FRCPath; former medical officer, Royal Air Force; clinical director of laboratories, Cape Breton Area, Sydney City Hospital. Died May 18, 2003, aged 70; survived by 3 sons. “Upon retiring he obtained a BA in Celtic studies and went on to receive an MA from the University of Guelph. Combining his knowledge of medicine and Celtic history, he wrote The Survival of the Unfittest.”
McCaughey, W.T. Elliott, Ottawa; Queen's University (Ireland), 1950; anatomical pathology; FRCPath; FRCPC; former chief, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ottawa Civic Hospital; professor, University of Ottawa. Died of Parkinson's disease May 26, 2003, aged 76; survived by his wife, Amy, and 3 children.
Neri, Luciano C., Ottawa; University of Florence (Italy), 1947; community medicine; DPH, FRCPC; former staff, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Royal Ottawa Hospital; consultant, epidemiology, Ottawa Civic and St. Vincent hospitals; professor and acting chair, epidemiology and community medicine, University of Ottawa. Died May 13, 2003, aged 80.
Rensaa, Margaret A., New York; University of Alberta, 1955; anesthesia; FRCPC; former staff, University of Alberta and Royal Alexandra hospitals; clinical lecturer, University of Alberta. Died May 31, 2003, aged 71; survived by her sister, Elsa.
Tolan, J. Ronald, Etobicoke, Ont.; University of Ottawa, 1952; diagnostic radiology; FRCPC; former chief of staff and radiology, Northwestern General Hospital. Died May 27, 2003, aged 76; survived by his wife, Pauline, and 7 children.