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BIGELLI o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2005-01-03 published
BIGELLI,
Betty
Janette (née
GRAHAM)
Age 62 It is with profound sadness the family of Betty
BIGELLI
announces her passing on January 2, 2005. Beloved wife, constant
companion and very best friend to her husband Carlo. Loving mother
to Joseph, daughter-in-law Margaret, proud and loving grandmother
to Joey Jr. and Angela. Predeceased by her parents Joseph and
Florence GRAHAM, sister Florie, brothers James and Joe. Survived
by brother George (Marjoerie,) sisters Joan
DURETTE
(Ray,)
Margaret
HANDLEY
(Leo,)
Barbara
DOUGLAS/DOUGLASS (John) and many nieces, nephews
and cousins. Betty proved to be a formidable warrior against
her fight with cancer and she fought with all her might. She
loved life and very much wanted to live life to the fullest especially
for her family and Friends. Anyone who knew Betty loved her.
Betty was a kind, enthusiastic, fun-loving person who had an
infectious laugh and the ability to see humour in almost every
situation. We all feel privileged to have been part of her all
too short life. The family would like to thank the Sunnybrook
Cancer
Centre,
Dr. Susan
CHENG and all the nursing staff for
their excellent care and attention to Betty during her difficult
time. At Betty's specific request, cremation will take place.
Friends and family will be received at the Ward Funeral Home,
2035 Weston Rd. (north of Lawrence Ave.), Weston, on Thursday,
January 6 from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. An Anglican Mass will be celebrated
at St. Philip's Anglican Church on Friday at 11 a.m. on January
7, 2005. Interment St. Philip's Church Yard Cemetery. In lieu
of flowers, kindly make donations to the Canadian Lung Association.
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BIGELLI o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2005-07-07 published
BIGELLI,
Rose
The family of Rose are deeply saddened to announce her passing
on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 in Mississauga, at the age of 88.
Beloved wife of the late Philip. Devoted and adoring mother of
Katherine (Peter
HENDERSON,) and Teresa (Clint
BAKER.)
Proud
grandma of Jeff, Kristin, Michael, Brian, Julie, and great-grandmother
of Kent. Rose will be missed by all of her family and Friends.
Friends will be received at the Neweduk Funeral Home "Mississauga
Chapel", 1981 Dundas St. W. (1 block east of Erin Mills Pkwy.)
from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Thursday. A Funeral Service will be
held in the Chapel on Friday, July 8 at 11 a.m. Cremation. If
desired, remembrances may be made to the Credit Valley Hospital
Foundation, "You are in the arms of the angels now, we love you."
Neweduk Funeral Home 905-828-8000 www.neweduk.com
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BIGELOW o@ca.on.grey_county.artemesia.flesherton.the_flesherton_advance 2005-06-22 published
WILLIAMS,
Glenn
Frederick▼
Glenn Frederick
WILLIAMS passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2005
in the South Bruce Grey Health Centre in Kincardine in his 75th
year. Fred was born in Eugenia, June 23, 1930, twin
son of Albert
WILLIAMS and Marguerite Pedlar
SMITH.
Fred▼ spent his younger
life in Eugenia on the 8th Line of Osprey Township, where his
father and mother farmed.
Fred married Donna
OSBORNE in 1952 and lived in Niagara Falls,
where their two sons Wayne and Barton were born. They lived in
different places where Fred worked with Ontario Hydro for 40
years and five days. He retired October 1, 1986 and made his
home in Tiverton, Ontario. Fred belonged to the Bruce Masonic
Lodge #341.
He was predeceased by his twin brother, Jack, Lois and step-brother
Murray. He was the beloved husband of Donna (née
OSBORNE,) dear
father of Wayne (Carol) and Barton (Nancy) all of Kincardine,
loving grandfather of Lindsay and Kyle
WILLIAMS,
Alissa
(Ross)
BIGELOW and Luke
WILLIAMS and cherished great-grandfather of
Cale BIGELOW.
The funeral service was held at Dovey-Linklater Funeral Home,
Kincardine on Friday, June 30 with Wendy
LAMPMAN officiating.
Flowerbearers were Lindsay and Joan
WILLIAMS,
Alissa
BIGELOW,
Lynda MUELLER and Brenda
ACHESON.
Pallbearers were Kyle, Luke,
Arthur and Doug
WILLIAMS,
Doug and Stephen
OSBORNE.
Honourary pallbearers were Dugald
MacKENZIE,
Gordon
BROWN, John
TAILOR/TAYLOR and Tom
SCOTT.
Interment was in Tiverton Cemetery.
Page 3
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BIGELOW o@ca.on.grey_county.owen_sound.the_sun_times 2005-06-03 published
WILLIAMS,
Fred▲
of Tiverton, at South Bruce Grey Health Centre-Kincardine, on
Wednesday, June 1st, 2005, in his 75th year. Beloved husband
of Donna (née
OSBORNE.) Dear father of Wayne (Carol) and Bart
(Nancy) WILLIAMS all of Kincardine. Loving grandfather of Lindsay
and Kyle WILLIAMS, Alyssa (Ross)
BIGELOW, and Luke
WILLIAMS.
Cherished great-grandfather of Cole
BIGELOW.
Predeceased by one
sister Lois
BOVAIR and brothers Jack and Murray
WILLIAMS.
Visitation
was held at Davey-Linklater Funeral Home, 757 Princes Street,
Kincardine, Ontario N2Z 1Z5, (519)396-2701, on Thursday, June
2nd from 7: 00 to 9:00 p.m. and Friday, June 3rd, from 10:00 until
the time of the service at 11: 00 a.m. Interment, Tiverton Cemetery.
Memorial donations to the Kincardine and Community Health Care
Foundation or the Canadian Diabetes Association may be made as
expressions of sympathy.
Page A2
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BIGELOW o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2005-03-29 published
BIGELOW pioneered open-heart surgery
Canadian Press
Toronto -- Dr. Wilfred
BIGELOW was the father of open-heart surgery
in Canada and one of the pioneers in the world, say former students
and admirers. The surgeon who invented the technique of hypothermia
for open-heart surgery, and performed the world's first such
procedure on a dog at the Banting Institute in 1949, was also
a co-inventor of the pacemaker.
He died Sunday at age 91.
"Generations of doctors across Canada and the United States and
around the world were trained by him," said Dr. Bernard
GOLDMAN,
who worked with
BIGELOW at Toronto General Hospital for 20 years
after training under him.
"He was a real mentor to me... a tremendous supporter," said
GOLDMAN, now professor emeritus at the University of Toronto.
David NAYLOR, dean of medicine at the University of Toronto,
called BIGELOW "a legendary figure in Canadian medicine and global
cardiac surgery. "Dr.
BIGELOW was... a pioneer in the use of
hypothermia -- deliberately cooling the heart."
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BIGELOW o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2005-03-30 published
BIGELOW,
Wilfred▼
Gordon▼
After a life lived with caring, intellectual curiosity and a
profound sense of spirituality, Bill died peacefully in Toronto
on Easter Sunday 2005. Born in Brandon, Manitoba, Bill was the
son of Dr. Wilfred
BIGELOW, founder of the first medical clinic
in Canada, and Grace
GORDON, nurse and midwife. He was raised
in an environment that encouraged a love of family, nature, music
and education. Bill attended Brandon College in the early 1930's
and graduated from medicine at the University of Toronto in 1938.
Following this, he served overseas as a Captain in the Royal
Canadian Medical Army Corps, performing battle surgery on the
frontlines. Returning home from the war, he furthered his studies
at John Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland specializing in cardiac
surgery. His experiences in the war with amputations due to frostbite
led him to explore the principle of hypothermia. He felt strongly
that to make progress in cardiac surgery, surgeons needed to
open the heart and operate directly. Building on his wartime
experiences, he theorized that if you could cool the heart, you
could reduce oxygen requirements, interrupt circulation and open
the heart. In 1947, Bill returned to Toronto, and established
a hypothermia research unit at The Banting Institute. There,
he performed the world's first open heart surgery on a dog using
the principal of hypothermia, paving the way for its use on humans.
At his lab, Dr.
BIGELOW and his colleagues Dr. John
CALLAGHAN
and Dr. John
HOPPS also developed the cardiac pacemaker. Bill
was recognized internationally as the father of Canadian heart
surgery. He received the Gairdner Foundation Award in 1959, was
inducted into the Canadian Medical Association's Hall of Fame
in 1997 and into the Order of Canada in 1981. Bill published
numerous medical articles in scientific journals, educated aspiring
cardiac surgeons from around the world, and authored two books,
Cold Hearts and Mysterious Heparin. Along with his passion for
medicine, Bill will be remembered for his love of the outdoors
and his work on environmental causes. He served as a director
of the Audubon Society and the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
He spent many happy hours on the islands of Georgian Bay, and
at his farm in Collingwood with his beloved family, horses and
dogs. He was an avid bird watcher who went on frequent field
trips with his longtime friend Dr. Bruce
CHARLES. In his latter
years, he enjoyed many happy hours with his golf buddies at the
Toronto Hunt Club. First and foremost, Bill was a family man
and a devoted and loyal friend to many. He was predeceased by
his beloved wife of almost 60 years, Ruth
JENNINGS, who attracted
his attention as a caring and efficient operating nurse at Toronto
General Hospital. He was also predeceased by his infant brother
Jack, and his sisters Mary
GRANT
(Millard,▼) and Toody
McKINNON
(Keith.▼) He is survived by his brother Dr. Dan
BIGELOW and his
wife Dr.▼
Sonia▼
SACEDA. As a loving father and grandfather, Bill
led by example, demonstrating the importance of loyalty and the
power of positive thinking and perseverance. He will be deeply
missed by his daughter Pixie Bigelow
CURRIE
(Ian▼) of Toronto,
and sons, John (Ellie) of Honolulu, Hawaii, Dan (Blanche) of
Petersfield, Manitoba, and Bill of Toronto. He is remembered
with affection by his grandchildren Scott
CURRIE
(Sarah,▼)
Susanne▼
COUTTS (Rob), Mathew
BIGELOW, and Angela
BEATTON (Don) and his
nieces, nephews and their families. Bill adored children and
was delighted with the birth of his three great grandchildren,
Sophie and Chloe
COUTTS and Stella
CURRIE.
The▼ family recognizes
with gratitude his caregivers Alma
ABLONA,
Beth▼
LARA and Helen
ABLONA and the staff of Belmont House. The funeral and interment
will be private. A memorial service will be held at Rosedale
United Church on Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 2: 00 p.m. Donations
in his memory may be made to establish The Bigelow Lectureship,
Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, The Banting Institute,
100 College Street, Room 311, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L5, telephone
(416) 978-5148; or to continue The Bigelow Book Prize, Cardiovascular
Sciences Collaborative Program, 150 College Street, Room 83D,
Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E2, telephone (416) 978-7744.
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BIGELOW o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2005-03-30 published
Wilfred BIGELOW,
Heart
Surgeon: 1913-2005
Canadian doctor who was the first person to look inside a beating,
human heart developed the pacemaker and pioneered the use of
hypothermia in heart surgery
By Ron CSILLAG,
Special to The Globe and Mail, Wednesday, March
30, 2005, Page S9
Toronto -- The frigid Canadian winter of 1941, a Toronto hospital
and a 28-year-old surgical intern who had just helped amputate
a man's frostbitten fingers. Wilfred (Bill)
BIGELOW's curiosity
was piqued: How and why did extreme cold destroy human tissue?
The Manitoba-born University of Toronto graduate searched the
available medical literature and, surprisingly in a country where
winters are cold enough to kill, found little about frostbite.
Spurred by his surgery professor's challenge, Dr.
BIGELOW finally
found sources who knew something about frostbite. He learned
that cold alone doesn't cause gangrene. Rather, tissue dies when
blood stops moving, and people can tolerate extreme cold without
damage as long as some blood continues to course through their
veins.
But the Second World War intervened, and Dr.
BIGELOW was soon
off to serve as a front-line surgeon with the Canadian army in
England and northwest Europe. On his return, he spent a year
studying in Maryland at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, where
pioneer heart operations on "blue babies" born with defective
hearts were being performed, with mixed results. This prompted
Dr. BIGELOW, with his prewar studies in localized hypothermia,
to investigate whether it might be possible, as he would later
write, to cool "the whole body, reduce the oxygen requirements,
interrupt the circulation, and open the heart." If cold itself
is not harmful to flesh and organs, he reasoned, then it would
be safe to slow circulation to a near standstill so that surgeons
could operate on nearly empty blood vessels.
Back at Toronto General Hospital in 1947, he and a small team
obtained a room in the basement of the Banting Institute to carry
on the research. Approval for the project had been granted in
an atmosphere of some skepticism. At the time, a drop in body
temperature was considered dangerous, if not lethal. As a first
step, the team discovered that lowering the temperature of an
extremity reduced its metabolism and oxygen requirements.
Then, in 1949, they made their first open-heart attempt. A dog
was immersed in cold water inside a cut-down oil drum, and the
temperature of its body lowered to 20 degrees. The animal's heart
was pink and healthy, but it wasn't beating and its circulation
was stopped for 15 minutes. Dr.
BIGELOW tapped the heart tentatively
with an electrical probe. All four chambers responded with one
convulsive throb. He tapped it again. Another beat. The organ
then continued beating without blood -- a first -- and then with
blood. The dog was rewarmed and survived.
The episode led him to think that a device that could deliver
a gentle jolt of some sort, without damaging the muscle, would
enhance the hypothermia experiments.
That's how Dr.
BIGELOW became known as one of the world's leading
pioneers in the use of hypothermia in heart surgery and in the
development of the pacemaker, which he co-invented with fellow
Canadian cardiovascular superstar John Carter
CALLAGHAN, and
an electrical engineer, Jack
HOPPS, found through the National
Research Council in Ottawa.
In 1950, Dr.
BIGELOW was the first person to look inside a living,
beating human heart. He was astonished. The organ bore little
resemblance to the diagrams and descriptions of his medical school
lectures. "We knew there would be a valve flapping back and forth,
but we weren't prepared for the dynamic ring that contracts forcefully
in co-ordination with the valve. And the valve itself was far
different from what we expected," he told journalist June
CALLWOOD
in 1985.
Dr. BIGELOW and Dr.
CALLAGHAN electrified their colleagues when
they presented their findings in 1950 at a meeting in Denver
of the American Surgical Association. "There was no discussion,"
Dr. BIGELOW recalled years later. "It was one of the very few
basic medical discoveries where no one stood up to say they'd
done something similar."
Their presentation stimulated worldwide research and, two years
later, a successful operation using hypothermia was performed
in the United States. After this, "a steady stream of surgeons
and scientists from around the world came to see our first Canadian
open-heart surgery and to visit our Banting and Best Institute
laboratory," Dr.
BIGELOW reported, including 19 of Japan's top
heart surgeons.
The first thing the Japanese doctors wanted to see was the old
25-gallon oil drum sawed in two that had served as the crucible
for the canine experiment.
The next thing the visitors wanted to see was the world's first
heart pacer -- a table-top contraption that weighed about 15
pounds and measured a foot long and several inches wide. The
pacer, too, was co-developed by Dr.
BIGELOW -- to stimulate the
hearts of his experimental dogs when they were slowed down by
the cooling.
By 1959, a Swedish doctor had used transistor circuitry and successfully
implanted a pacemaker the size of a hockey puck beneath a patient's
skin. But, for years, pacemakers were known everywhere as "Toronto
machines."
(The invention of a lithium battery by a Buffalo electrical engineer
in 1972 launched the pacemaker as a modern medical and technical
miracle for countless thousands of people around the world. Today's
pacemakers measure about four centimetres by three centimetres
by half-a-centimetre thick and can be implanted in 30 minutes.)
About 1960, the two prevalent techniques of the day -- operations
using heart-lung pumps and hypothermia -- were combined and used
by surgeons around the world on a daily basis. In 1967, both
methods were used by South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard,
who performed the world's first transplant.
Today, ultra-cold chemical solutions are injected into the coronary
arteries during surgery to protect the heart further.
Dr. BIGELOW pioneered several other cardiac surgical procedures
and, in 1956, established the first complete three-year to four-year
training program for cardiac surgeons. He headed the renowned
cardiovascular surgical team at Toronto General Hospital for
20 years. He received two dozen major honours and awards, including
the Order of Canada in 1981, and was named to the Canadian Medical
Hall of Fame in 1997. He authored two books, Cold Hearts and
Mysterious Heparin, and wrote more than 100 medical papers.
A self-effacing man, Dr.
BIGELOW insisted that some of his early
experiments failed dismally. For instance, he spent 10 years
trying to discover how groundhogs were able to hibernate, but
gained little except a deep respect for groundhogs. He called
the invention of the pacemaker a "spinoff" from the hypothermia
experiments.
All the same, he was a walking, talking hero to young Canadian
doctors. To Anthony
GRAHAM, now a cardiologist at St. Michael's
Hospital in Toronto and a professor of medicine at the University
of Toronto, Bill
BIGELOW was always a giant among surgeons. In
the early 1970s, Dr.
BIGELOW made it his business to quietly
persuade potential recruits to sign on to the surgical staff
at Toronto General Hospital and had invited Dr.
GRAHAM, who had
recently returned from studying in California, to drop by his
office. The visit turned out to be a tour of Dr.
BIGELOW's "collection"
that he had laid out in hopes of sparking interest in young doctors.
"He had built a little museum in his office that was full of
the gadgets he had made over the years," said Dr.
GRAHAM.
There,
all lined up and neatly presented, were pacemakers in various
stages of developments, early dilators and other devices that
had played their part in medical history. "All of it was really
neat to see. As a Canadian, he made a staggering contribution
to his field. The things we see as commonplace today were revolutionary
then."
As it turned out, Dr.
GRAHAM did not join Dr.
BIGELOW's staff,
but the two men came to know each other through their involvement
in the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. "He was a gentle,
caring man," said Dr.
GRAHAM. "
Not at all like the surgical personality
we often think of as stereotypical."
For his part, Dr.
BIGELOW was aware of a larger picture that
lay beyond the day-to-day demands of a busy surgeon. "The moral
responsibility of introducing a new operation is real," he wrote
in Cold Hearts, the medical history of his work that was published
in 1984. "I sometimes look back with a shudder. Working beyond
the accepted limits of conventional medicine with few guidelines
and no one to share responsibility or offer counsel was a very
lonely feeling."
Wilfred Gordon
BIGELOW was born in Brandon, Manitoba, on June
18, 1913. He died in Toronto on March 27, 2005, at 91. He leaves
a daughter and three sons. He was predeceased by his wife, Ruth.
A memorial service is scheduled for April 23 at 2 p.m. at Toronto's
Rosedale United Church.
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BIGELOW o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2005-04-01 published
I Remember -- Wilfred "Bill"
BIGELOW
By Kittie-Marie
FELLS,
Friday,
April 1, 2005, Page S7
Kittie-Marie
FELLS of Toronto writes about heart surgeon Wilfred
(Bill) BIGELOW, whose obituary appeared on Wednesday.
I often met Dr. Bill, who was a neighbour and friend, when we
were walking our dogs in the park and
in Rosedale ravine in Toronto.
He was crazy about his black lab. He was informed and sensitive
about all things natural and it was a privilege to birdwatch
with him.
Sometimes, after trekking back up the hill, he would check out
my pulse. He told me, as we watched joggers going by, that he
felt walking and then gradually running uphill was a much more
effective way to condition the body than the jolting movements
of jogging. My white dog and I follow his advice.
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BIGELOW o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2005-04-02 published
I Remember -- Wilfred "Bill"
BIGELOW
By Richard
SCHWINDT,
Saturday,
April 2, 2005, Page S9
Richard SCHWINDT of Sioux Lookout, Ontario, writes about heart
surgeon Wilfred (Bill)
BIGELOW, whose obituary appeared on Wednesday.
I only met him once over 20 years ago, but I well recall that
day. Dr. BIGELOW started his presentation to the Toronto General
Hospital pacemaker club with a slide show on the development
of the pacemaker. I felt squeamish when he showed a picture of
the dog unlucky enough to try out the prototype but he spoke
with such kindness and respect for the dog that, by the time
he finished, I felt like the dog had been part of the team.
Afterward, I was asked to pose for a picture with him and the
first pacemaker. I thought it was just a photo op, but he began
to speak and I realized that he was really going to take the
opportunity to explain to me how the thing worked. I was probably
the youngest person in attendance, and he wanted me to know how
the device in my chest had evolved.
Dr BIGELOW left a very concrete legacy, but the pacemaker clinic
at Toronto General Hospital is still a humane and caring place.
I can't help but wonder whether his legacy transcends machines
and techniques. He alluded in his talk to family and a church
community that sustained him. And I have no doubt that his kindness
and humility earned the love of those who surrounded him. Still,
it moves me to think that he went through periods of professional
isolation and risk on behalf of people like myself.
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BIGELOW o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2005-04-06 published
I Remember -- Wilfred
BIGELOW
By Brenda KANE,
Wednesday,
April 6, 2005, Page S9
Dr. Brenda
KANE of Toronto writes about Wilfred
BIGELOW, whose
obituary appeared on March 30.
In 1961, as an uncertain teenager, I met him with my parents
in preparation for my own surgery. He was gentle and reassuring
to all of us before and afterwards. The care from his team at
Toronto General Hospital was also great.
He was interested in me as a person and was very supportive in
my desire to enter medical school in Toronto. At a time when
doctor's services were not covered by government-sponsored insurance,
I believe that he didn't charge his full fee to me. I hope that
some of his caring has rubbed off on me and that I have given
to my patients something of him over the last 35 years of my medical practice.
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BIGELOW o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2005-04-07 published
I Remember -- Wilfred
BIGELOW
By Edward NAJGEBAUER,
Thursday,
April 7, 2005, Page S9
Dr. Edward
NAJGEBAUER of Sudbury writes about Wilfred
BIGELOW,
whose obituary appeared on March 30.
I met Wilfred
BIGELOW as a third-year medical student. I could
not believe that this kind, soft-spoken, intelligent gentleman
would not only have the time for undergraduates but also treat
them with respect and courtesy -- it did not seem possible that
this was the man who had made open-heart surgery possible. As
medical students, we were considered the "lowest of the low,"
yet there he was instructing us. More important, he listened
to what we had to say. Arrogance and aloofness were foreign to
him.
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BIGELOW o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2005-04-13 published
I Remember -- Wilfred
BIGELOW
By Theda WARNER,
Wednesday,
April 13, 2005, Page S7
Theda WARNER of Toronto writes about Dr. Wilfred Bigelow whose
obituary appeared on March 30.
In 1949, when I was 14 years old, I was hit by a car and taken
to Toronto General Hospital. After I was cleaned up it was discovered
that, along with a concussion, my injuries consisted of a very
badly cut face which would require 42 stitches. The attending
resident doctor on call that particular day was Dr. Wilfred
BIGELOW.
He sewed up my face. His work was practically invisible from
the very beginning, and may be somehow related to his later career
spent doing cardiac surgery. He begged my parents not to go to
court for the ensuing law suit "because this is a very young
girl and the opposing lawyers will never stop mauling her face
until they can account for each one of those stitches." Because
of his advice, the case was settled out of court. They don't
come any kinder or more talented than Bill
BIGELOW.
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BIGELOW o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2005-04-20 published
BIGELOW,
Doctor
Wilfred▲▼
Gordon▲▼ "
Bill"
The family would be pleased to receive Friends and colleagues
for a Memorial Service on Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 2 p.m.
Rosedale United Church, 159 Roxborough Drive (Glen Road).
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BIGELOW o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2005-04-27 published
HILL,
Myrtle
L.
John and Elaine
HILL and daughters Vanessa and Allegra, are saddened
to announce the passing of Myrtle L.
HILL, at the Empress Gardens
Retirement Residence, Peterborough at the age of 103. Myrtle
was born in Cavan and lived on Gilmour Street, Peterborough for
72 years. Myrtle is predeceased by her husband, John Gordon
HILL,
her brothers Clarke
SWAIN,
Toronto,
William
SWAIN, Cavan and
her sister Margaret
BIGELOW,
Port
Hope.
She is survived by her
younger brother Frederick
SWAIN,
Kingston and sister Helen
SCHNIEDER/SNIDER/SNYDER,
Peterborough, and the younger descendants of the original
SWAIN
family. Relatives and Friends will be received at the Comstock
Funeral Home, 356 Rubidge Street, Peterborough, from 2-4 and
7-9 p.m. on Friday. The Service will be held in the Chapel on
Saturday,
April 30, 2005 at 12: 00 p.m. The Reverend George
TURNER
will be officiating. In memory of Mrs.
HILL, donations to Brock
(Men's) Mission would be appreciated by the family.
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BIGELOW o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2005-03-30 published
BIGELOW,
Wilfred▲
Gordon▲
After a life lived with caring, intellectual curiosity and a
profound sense of spirituality, Bill died peacefully in Toronto
on Easter Sunday 2005. Born in Brandon, Manitoba, Bill was the
son of Dr. Wilfred
BIGELOW, founder of the first medical clinic
in Canada, and Grace
GORDON, nurse and midwife. He was raised
in an environment that encouraged a love of family, nature, music
and education. Bill attended Brandon College in the early 1930's
and graduated from medicine at the University of Toronto in 1938.
Following this, he served overseas as a Captain in the Royal
Canadian Medical Army Corps, performing battle surgery on the
frontlines. Returning home from the war, he furthered his studies
at John Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland specializing in cardiac
surgery. His experiences in the war with amputations due to frostbite
led him to explore the principle of hypothermia. He felt strongly
that to make progress in cardiac surgery, surgeons needed to
open the heart and operate directly. Building on his wartime
experiences, he theorized that if you could cool the heart, you
could reduce oxygen requirements, interrupt circulation and open
the heart. In 1947, Bill returned to Toronto, and established
a hypothermia research unit at The Banting Institute. There,
he performed the world's first open heart surgery on a dog using
the principal of hypothermia, paving the way for its use on humans.
At his lab, Dr.
BIGELOW and his colleagues Dr. John
CALLAGHAN
and Dr. John
HOPPS also developed the cardiac pacemaker. Bill
was recognized internationally as the father of Canadian heart
surgery. He received the Gairdner Foundation Award in 1959, was
inducted into the Canadian Medical Association's Hall of Fame
in 1997 and into the Order of Canada in 1981. Bill published
numerous medical articles in scientific journals, educated aspiring
cardiac surgeons from around the world, and authored two books,
Cold Hearts and Mysterious Heparin. Along with his passion for
medicine, Bill will be remembered for his love of the outdoors
and his work on environmental causes. He served as a director
of the Audubon Society and the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
He spent many happy hours on the islands of Georgian Bay, and
at his farm in Collingwood with his beloved family, horses and
dogs. He was an avid bird watcher who went on frequent field
trips with his longtime friend Dr. Bruce
CHARLES. In his latter
years, he enjoyed many happy hours with his golf buddies at the
Toronto Hunt Club. First and foremost, Bill was a family man
and a devoted and loyal friend to many. He was predeceased by
his beloved wife of almost 60 years, Ruth
JENNINGS, who attracted
his attention as a caring and efficient operating nurse at Toronto
General Hospital. He was also predeceased by his infant brother
Jack, and his sisters Mary
GRANT
(Millard,▲) and Toody
McKINNON
(Keith.▲) He is survived by his brother Dr. Dan
BIGELOW and his
wife Dr.▲
Sonia▲
SACEDA. As a loving father and grandfather, Bill
led by example, demonstrating the importance of loyalty and the
power of positive thinking and perseverance. He will be deeply
missed by his daughter Pixie Bigelow
CURRIE
(Ian▲) of Toronto,
and sons, John (Ellie) of Honolulu, Hawaii, Dan (Blanche) of
Petersfield, Manitoba, and Bill of Toronto. He is remembered
with affection by his grandchildren Scott
CURRIE
(Sarah,▲)
Susanne▲
COUTTS (Rob), Mathew
BIGELOW, and Angela
BEATTON (Don) and his
nieces, nephews and their families. Bill adored children and
was delighted with the birth of his three great-grandchildren,
Sophie and Chloe
COUTTS and Stella
CURRIE.
The▲ family recognizes
with gratitude his caregivers Alma
ABLONA,
Beth▲
LARA and Helen
ABLONA and the staff of Belmont House. The funeral and interment
will be private. A memorial service will be held at Rosedale
United Church on Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 2: 00 p.m. Donations
in his memory may be made to establish The Bigelow Lectureship,
Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, T
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BIGENWALD o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2005-05-12 published
DEKOVEN,
Marion
On Sunday, May 8, 2005 in Toronto, after a brief illness. Marion
DEKOVEN, beloved wife for 62 years of the late Dr. Maurice
DEKOVEN.
Loving mother and mother-in-law of Maxwell and Carol
DEKOVEN
of Montreal, Howard
DEKOVEN of Nova Scotia, Harriet
DEKOVEN and
Charles BIGENWALD of Toronto, and Dr. Joel and Elan
DEKOVEN of
Toronto. Predeceased by her six sisters. Devoted grandmother
of Robin (Mike), Alan (Naomi), Kathryn, Rachel, Ian, Sam, Mark,
and Benjamin. Great-grandmother of five. Marion will always be
remembered for her love of the arts; her strength, resilience
and fighting spirit; her love of family; her generosity, optimism
and unceasing zest for life. Special thanks to Tessie
ACEVEDO
and Rose Cipriano
BRIONES for their care and compassion. Services
were held on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. If
desired, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer
Society or to a charity of your choice.
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BIGFORD o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2005-07-08 published
WIGGINS,
Donna
Glenore (née
BIGFORD)
Surrounded by her family, at Headwaters Healthcare Centre, Orangeville
on Thursday, July 7, 2005, in her 60th year; beloved wife of
David WIGGINS; loved mother of Dean
MORRISON and his wife
Sarah,
Jennifer BUTTREY and her husband Grant, Michael and his wife
Tobi, Darlene
NODOLF
(Al;) dear grandmother of Nicholas, Nolan,
Amanda, Rachel, John, Jordan and Jacob; also sadly missed by
her brothers Chuck
BIGFORD
(Shirley) and Ivan
BIGFORD and her
sister Lois
O'SHAUGHNESSY
(Clifford,) her extended family and
many Friends; predeceased by her brother Douglas
BIGFORD.
Friends
may call at the Dods and McNair Funeral Home and Chapel, 21 First
Street, Orangeville on Sunday, July 10, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Monday, July 11,
2005 at 11: 00 a.m. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. As expressions
of sympathy, donations to Hospice Dufferin (Circles Group) or
Princess Margaret Hospital would be appreciated.(Condolences
may be offered to the family at www.dodsandmcnair.com)
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BIGG o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2005-08-17 published
BIGG,
Stanley
Quietly on August 11, 2005, Stanley
BIGG, of London, in his 79th
year. Dear brother of Marg
BLISS and her family in Florida and
California.
Loving father of Cal
BIGG and his family in London,
Randy BIGG and his family in Oakville, Rick
BIGG and his family
of London, Lise
BIGG of London, Alison
FULTON and her family
of London. He will be sadly missed by sister-in-law Kay
BIGG
and her family of Georgetown. A memorial service will be held
at Westmount Presbyterian Church (521 Village Green Ave.) on
Friday, August 26th, 2005 at 11 a.m. Donations to the Westmount
Presbyterian Memorial Fund or Sunday School Program would be
appreciated. Needham Funeral Services entrusted with arrangements.
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BIGGAR o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2005-09-22 published
MacDONALD,
Norienne▼ (née
RANAHAN)
(February 24, 1915-September 20, 2005)
The old legs, have gotten weary and I felt it was time to join
Mac. After all, it's been 3 years since he left my side after
60 years together. John and I were blessed with 3 wonderful children
and their families, Mary and Dennis
(STARKEY,) in Durham, John
and Debra (recently deceased), in Goderich and Rick and Barbara
(BIGGAR) in Tecumseh. I was privileged to watch my grandchildren,
Brianne, Kyle and Sean grow into young adults. We moved from
London to Saint Thomas where we lived for close to 55 years and
the majority of those years were in our home we built in Lynhurst.
My life was a fulfilling one, raising our 3 children and embarking
on a teaching career when they were older, teaching at Holy Angels
Elementary School and
at St. Joseph's High School. Being elected
as a trustee for the Elgin County Roman Catholic Separate School
Board and being the only woman on the Board was quite an experience.
Three years ago, I moved to Windsor, a sudden move with little
time for goodbyes. So it was quite a treat to return to Saint Thomas
to celebrate my 90th birthday with all my old Friends in February.
Thanks to the "pot luck" group who kept in touch and a special
thanks to my close friend, Norma
ROCHE, who sent me weekly notes
keeping me up on the news in Saint Thomas. Mom was very active
in the community over the years with a long standing involvement
in the Cancer Society, (serving two terms as president of the
Elgin County Unit), the Saint Thomas Golf and Country Club both
as a golfer (serving a term as President of the Ladies Division)
and as a Bridge Club member. She was a committed volunteer for
the Rotary Music Festival for decades, and served a term as President
of the local chapter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. One
of Mom's favourite activities was the bike ride for cancer, which
she did into her 80's. For her commitment to the community, she
received the "Saint Thomas Citizen of the year award" with Dad,
an unexpected but well deserved honour. She was an amazing mother
and we will miss her terribly. Thanks to those care workers at
Sunrise Assisted Living who went beyond the call of duty and
a special thanks to the staff at Extendicare Tecumseh and Dr.
Ian McLEOD, who took such terrific care of mom and allowed her
to keep her dignity as her health failed over the past 9 months.
The family will receive their Friends at the R.E. Allen Funeral
Chapel, 31 Elgin Street, Saint Thomas, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to
9 p.m. Friday afternoon and evening. Funeral service will be
held at Holy Angels Church, 502 Talbot Street, Saint Thomas, Saturday
morning at 10 a.m. After cremation, interment will be made in
St. Peter's Cemetery, London. Donations to the Canadian Cancer
Society or the Ontario Heart Foundation would be appreciated
by the family.
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BIGGAR o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2005-02-04 published
ZANUSSI,
Yvonne
(GRIEVES)
After a "full and wonderful life" (in her own words), Yvonne
passed away peacefully at G.N.G.H. on January 31, 2005. She was
predeceased by her best friend and husband, Al. Yvonne is survived
by her loving children; Rob (Louise), Rick (Terry) and Lauren
(Jim Hartt). "Grandvon" was cherished by Alexandra and Zachary
ZANUSSI,
Rebecca and Darren
ZANUSSI, and Rachel and Mallory
HARTT.
She was the beloved sister of Muriel
BIGGAR.
Also predeceasing
her were her special brother-in-law, Cliff
BIGGAR, and her sister
Mardi (Eric)
LILLEY.
Yvonne was a dear aunt to Mardi
CANTIN,
Tracy BIGGAR,
Robin
ARGENTA and Toby
LAUGHER and will also be
sadly missed for her spirit, intelligence and compassion by many
Friends, past colleagues and extended family members. Friends
are invited to share the celebration of her life at a reception
immediately following a Memorial Service at the Church of St.
John the Evangelist, Stamford, 3428 Portage Road, on Monday,
February 7 at 12: 00 noon. As an expression of sympathy, those
who wish may make a donation in Yvonne's memory to the Canadian
Cancer Society, Saint John's Church, or their chosen charity through
the Morse and son Chapel of the Morgan Funeral Homes, 5917 Main
Street, Niagara Falls
Online guest register at www.morganfuneral.com
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BIGGAR o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2005-03-18 published
MacDONALD,
Francis▼
Joseph▼ "
Frank▼" B.A., B.Sc., P.Eng.
Passed away peacefully at Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga
on March 17, 2005, at the age of 89, after a courageous battle
with cancer. He is now reunited with his beloved wife Renée (2004),
whom he dearly missed. Loving father of Paul, Teresa, Nancy and
her husband Keith
BAINES, and Christine and her husband Bill
BIGGAR.
Will▼ be sadly missed by his grandchildren, Celine and
her husband Antonio
TADRISSI, Julie, Katie, Caroline, Jeffrey,
Scott, and David. While born in Ottawa, Frank was always proud
of his roots in Prince Edward Island. A graduate of the University
of Ottawa and McGill University, Frank spent most of his career
with Trans Northern Pipeline as a chemical engineer. A devout
Roman Catholic, he was very active in his Church as a Eucharistic
Minister, served for more than 40 years as a member of the St.
Vincent de Paul Society, at both Conference and Council levels,
and was an active member of the Serra Club (Toronto). Frank will
be remembered for his strong faith, his sharp mind, and genuine
interest in people. The family would like to thank the staff
at the Trillium Health Centre, Mississauga for their kind support
and compassionate care. The family will receive Friends at the
Newediuk Funeral Home, Kipling Chapel, 2104 Kipling Avenue (two
blocks north of Rexdale Boulevard), Monday, March 21st from 2-4
p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, March
22nd at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church, 45 Ludstone Drive
(off Celestine Drive at Dixon Road, west of Kipling), at 10 a.m.
Interment will be held in Ottawa at the Notre Dame Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Serra Club (Toronto),
the St. Vincent de Paul Society or the Trillium Health Centre,
Mississauga.
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BIGGAR o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2005-03-18 published
MacDONALD,
Francis▲
Joseph▲ "
Frank,▲" B.A., B.Sc., P.Eng.
Passed away peacefully at Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga
on March 17, 2005 at the age of 89, after a courageous battle
with cancer. He is now reunited with his beloved wife Renée (2004)
whom he dearly missed. Loving father of Paul, Teresa, Nancy and
her husband Keith
BAINES, and Christine and her husband Bill
BIGGAR.
Will▲ be sadly missed by his grandchildren Celine and
her husband Antonio
TADRISSI, Julie, Katie, Caroline, Jeffrey,
Scott and David. While born in Ottawa, Frank was always proud
of his roots in Prince Edward Island. A graduate of the University
of Ottawa and McGill University, Frank spent most of his career
with Trans Northern Pipeline as a chemical engineer. A devout
Roman Catholic, he was very active in his Church as a Eucharistic
Minister, served for more than 40 years as a member of the St.
Vincent de Paul Society, at both Conference and Council levels
and was an active member of the Serra Club (Toronto). Frank will
be remembered for his strong faith, his sharp mind and genuine
interest in people. The family would like to thank the staff
at the Trillium Health Centre, Mississauga for their kind support
and compassionate care. The family will receive their Friends
at the Newediuk Funeral Home, Kipling Chapel, 2104 Kipling Ave.,
Etobicoke (two blocks north of Rexdale Blvd.) from Monday, March
21, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be
held on Tuesday, March 22 at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church,
45 Ludstone Dr. (off Celestine Dr., at Dixon Rd., west of Kipling)
at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Ottawa at the Notre Dame Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Serra Club (Toronto),
the St. Vincent de Paul Society or the Trillium Health Centre,
Mississauga.
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BIGGAR o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2005-08-21 published
BIGGAR,
Isabel
M.
Peacefully on Friday, August 19, 2005 at Northridge Long Term
Care, Oakville in her 87th year. Predeceased by her loving husband
Harold, married for 66 years. Special mother of Barbara
McGILL
(husband Wayne,) Marian
MILLER (husband Lloyd,) Nancy
GOLDIE-
MILES
(husband Gord) and Norman (wife Sandi). Predeceased by son Clair
(1945). Cherished grandmother of Barbara Jean, Shane and Kathy
(McGILL), Mary Jane, Marlene and Alex
(MILLER), Morgan and Gregory
(GOLDIE) and Stacey, Lianne and Natalie
(BIGGAR.)
Proud great
grandmother of 5. Predeceased by her sisters Dora
HASTINGS and
Olga LIDSTEN. Survived by her niece Penny
LOBBEZOO (husband John.)
The family will receive Friends at the Oakview Funeral Home,
56 Lakeshore Rd. W., Oakville (one block east of Kerr St.), on
Sunday August 21, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral service
will be held in the Oakview Chapel on Monday August 22, 2005
at 1: 00 p.m. Interment to follow at St. Jude's Cemetery. In lieu
of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Foundation.
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BIGGAR o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2005-09-22 published
MacDONALD,
Norienne▲ (née
RANAHAN)
(February 24, 1915-September 20, 2005)
The old legs have gotten weary and I felt it was time to join
Mac. After all, it's been 3 years since he left my side after
60 years together. John and I were blessed with 3 wonderful children
and their families, Mary and Dennis
(STARKEY,) in Durham, John,
and Debra (recently deceased), in Goderich and Rick and Barbara
(BIGGAR,) in Tecumseh. I was privileged to watch my grandchildren,
Brianne, Kyle and Sean grow into young adults. We moved from
London to Saint Thomas where we lived for close to 55 years and
the majority of those years were in our home we built in Lynhurst.
My life was a fulfilling one, raising our 3 children and embarking
on a teaching career when they were older, teaching at Holy Angels
Elementary School and
at St. Joseph's High School. Being elected
as a trustee for the Eight County Roman Catholic Separate School
Board and being the only woman on the Board was quite an experience.
Three years ago, I moved to Windsor, a sudden move with litte
time for goodbyes. So it was quite a treat to return to Saint Thomas
to celebrate my 90th birthday with all my old Friends in February.
Thanks to the "pot luck" group who kept in touch and a special
thanks to my close friend, Norma
ROCHE, who sent me weekly notes
keeping me up on the news in Saint Thomas. Mom was very active
in the community over the years with a long standing involvement
in the Cancer Society (serving two terms as President of the
Elgin County Unit), the Saint Thomas Golf and Country Club both
as a golfer (serving a term as President of the Ladies Division)
and as a Bridge Club member. She was a committed volunteer for
the Rotary Music Festival for decades, and served a term as President
of the local chapter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. One
of Mom's favourite activities was the bike ride for cancer, which
she did into her 80's. For her commitment to the community, she
received the "Saint Thomas Citizen of the Year Award" with Dad,
an unexpected but well deserved honour. She was an amazing mother
and we will miss her terribly. Thanks to those care workers at
Sunrise Assisted Living who went beyond the call of duty and
a special thanks to the staff at Extendicare Tecumseh and Dr.
Ian McLEOD, who took such terrific care of Mom and allowed her
to keep her dignity as her health failed over the past 9 months.
The family will receive their Friends at the R.E. Allen Funeral
Chapel, 31 Elgin Street, Saint Thomas, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to
9 p.m. Friday afternoon and evening. Funeral service will be
held at Holy Angels Church, 502 Talbot Street, Saint Thomas, Saturday
morning at 10 a.m. After cremation, interment will be made in
St. Peter Cemetery, London. Donations to the Canadian Cancer
Society or the Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated
by the family.
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BIGGART o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2005-06-11 published
STIRLING,
John▼
Duncan▼
Peacefully, at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, on Thursday,
June 9, 2005, in his 71st year. Beloved husband and best friend
of Karen for 48 years. Loving father of Stewart (Sylvia), Tom
(Sandy,) Susan
BIGGART
(Matthew,▼)
Gail▼
LESSOR (Charles,) and
Sheila (John
MacPHERSON.) Dear Grandpa of Megan, Anthony, Justin,
Tiffany, Jonathan, Emily, William, Melissa, Jason, Christopher,
Blake, Matthew and Cameron. Lovingly remembered by his brother
Bill (Dorothy) and sister Ellen
JOHNSON
(Harry.▼)
Friends▼ may
call at the Turner and Porter "Peel" Chapel, 2180 Hurontario Street,
Mississauga (Hwy. 10, N. of the Queen Elizabeth Way), from 2-5
p.m. Sunday. Funeral Service will be held at St. Andrew's United
Church, 117 Bloor St. E., Toronto, on Tuesday, June 14, 2005.
Time to be confirmed. If desired, donations to a charity of your
choice would be appreciated by the family.
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BIGGART o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2005-06-13 published
STIRLING,
John▲
Duncan▲
Peacefully, at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, on Thursday,
June 9, 2005, in his 71st year. Beloved husband and best friend
of Karen for 48 years. Loving father of Stewart (Sylvia), Tom
(Sandy,) Susan
BIGGART
(Matthew,▲)
Gail▲
LESSOR (Charles,) and
Sheila (John
MacPHERSON.) Dear Grandpa of Megan, Anthony, Justin,
Tiffany, Jonathan, Emily, William, Melissa, Jason, Christopher,
Blake, Matthew and Cameron. Lovingly remembered by his brother
Bill (Dorothy) and sister Ellen
JOHNSON
(Harry.▲)
Friends▲ may
call at the Turner and Porter "Peel" Chapel, 2180 Hurontario Street,
Mississauga (Hwy. 10, N. of the Queen Elizabeth Way), from 2-5
p.m. Sunday. Funeral Service will be held at St. Andrew's United
Church, 117 Bloor St. E., Toronto, on Tuesday, June 14, 2005
at 10: 30 a.m. If desired, donations to a charity of your choice
would be appreciated by the family.
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BIGGERSTAFF o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2005-08-27 published
Two versions of a murder victim
DARING 'a wonderful, wonderful guy'
Not 'completely upstanding,' police say
By Linda DIEBEL and Isabel
TEOTONIO, Staff Reporters, With files
from Vanessa
LU,
Page A1
There are two versions of Delroy George
DARING, the father of
10 shot dead in the courtyard of a Scarborough housing complex
Thursday night, and one is not so pretty.
The first, from people who knew him, is that he was a good man
who pulled a troubled life together to organize "No drugs, No
violence" summer barbecues for low-income kids. The group called
itself the "out-of-pocket club" because nobody would help them
raise money.
There are variations on this version, including the rumour that
DARING was a paid police informant in the last months of his
life.
Toronto police detectives, while denying the informant story,
have a different take on the unemployed furniture mover who emigrated
from Kingston, Jamaica, 20 years ago and had convictions for
drug possession and trafficking dating back to 1986.
"I have reason to believe that the idea he was, say, a completely
upstanding person promoting non-violence, non-drugs and non-guns
is not fair," said Det. John
BIGGERSTAFF, at the crime scene
yesterday. "The activities which brought him to this courtyard
are inconsistent with someone promoting (such ideals)."
Added his partner, Det. Greg
GROVES: "I have no doubt that this
man was the target of this murder."
Whichever version turns out to be true, there is one indisputable
fact: he was gunned down in front of 20 to 30 people, many of
them children, who later couldn't sleep through the night and
are more terrified than ever of living in an increasingly violent
part of the city.
"A little girl said to me today, 'Did you see what happened?
I did. I saw it,'" said one woman yesterday. "Now that's not
right. No child should have that memory."
Residents at 3181 Eglinton, where
DARING was shot, didn't want
to give their names. People are angry about more than the murder.
They say their complaints about their living conditions and violence
are ignored.
Yesterday, the building's stairways were littered with burnt
newspapers and garbage. They smelled of urine and, in the hallways,
light fixtures dangled and carpets were stained with cigarette
butts. Locks on the building's doors were broken and mice and
roaches scurried about.
Out front, young men milled about the entrance, smoking, listening
to music and watching passersby.
"Look, nobody cares until somebody is shot dead, not the police,
not the media," said one man, 22. "We never talk to them and
it's not about people being scared to talk. It's that when they
do, nothing ever happens so why open your mouth."
Before walking away, another man muttered, "Nobody interviewed
Delroy when he was trying to do something. Not even the other
ghettos cared a f -- -."
These men said
DARING was trying to make a difference, especially
for the kids. He organized barbecues, which began four years
ago and which offered kids a day of bliss with "bouncey-houses"
for them to play, along with raffles, soccer and dance contests.
"He was living proof that someone could turn their life around,
that somebody could make a change and be a role model," said
one man.
A few weeks ago, on August 7, the late-night good mood of a barbecue
was shattered when a man was shot in the neck near the Hasty
Market across the street. The man survived and nobody has been
charged.
Police couldn't confirm reports he was found with 10 bags of
marijuana
BIGGERSTAFF said he believes there may have been a connection
between DARING's murder and the Hasty Market shooting.
"I'm a believer that things aren't a mere coincidence," he said.
While the autopsy won't be conducted until today, police said
that DARING was shot "at least once" in the chest and was pronounced
dead an hour later at Sunnybrook hospital.
BIGGERSTAFF said police canvassed the apartment buildings Thursday
night after the murder, which occurred around 7 p.m., but were
unable to secure eyewitness accounts from anyone in the courtyard.
BIGGERSTAFF said there was concern yesterday at police headquarters,
beginning with Chief Bill Blair, about initial reports of the
murder describing
DARING in glowing terms as a community organizer
who was an innocent victim of crime.
"Whether I like it or not, (that version) has gotten some attention,"
he said, adding that his worry is that Torontonians feel unsafe
because they think "a person promoted as a fine, upstanding citizen
is killed in broad daylight."
That version, he said, may not be true.
It could be, he explained, that "he was a bad person in a bad
position and it had nothing to do with safety in any public area."
Asked if
DARING was a drug dealer, the detective said he didn't
know.
One young man who worked with
DARING to organize the barbecues
for children said he was frustrated with the insinuation that
DARING was still involved in illegal activities. "They'll say
the typical thing, it's what you say in every 'hood: 'He was
a drug dealer, he was moving into someone's 'hood.' There's no
(hard) drug activity here. If you were a drug dealer selling
crack cocaine you'd go broke here."
Rumours are swirling about
DARING's murder. Last night Global
television reported he was found with 10 dime-sized bags of marijuana,
but police couldn't confirm the report.
But at 3181 Eglinton, people didn't want to talk about that.
They just wanted to remember the George
DARING they knew. For
years he lived in their building before moving out about a decade
ago.
"He was a wonderful, wonderful guy and he was like a brother
to me," said one young man.
In the courtyard where
DARING died, a woman looked at the bloodstain
on the ground and said: "He didn't represent 'hood life, but
he died representing the worst part of it."
He had 10 children with at least three different mothers and
apparently looked after all his kids. At the time of his death
he lived with his two youngest and his mother in Pickering.
"He was a ladies' man," said one woman. "He liked to take care
of business."
Last night, after police removed the yellow tape from the crime
scene, two little teddy bears marked the spot where
DARING died
in the courtyard. And a single bunch of artificial red roses.
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