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WESTIN o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2007-12-11 published
He set the standard for myeloma research
Saskatchewan-born cancer pioneer and bon vivant was celebrated for his knowledge, grace and fairness
By Alicia PRIEST, Special to The Globe and Mail, Page S8
Victoria -- A pioneer in cancer research who set the standard of treatment for an uncommon but incurable form of blood cancer for some 40 years, Daniel BERGSAGEL was also a bon vivant and a family man at a time when the world allowed dedicated scientists to have a life apart from work.
Multiple myeloma, which is found when bone marrow produces large quantities of abnormal plasma cells, is the second-most prevalent blood cancer, representing about 1 per cent of all cancers and 2 per cent of all cancer deaths. Doctor BERGSAGEL's contribution to treating it was in developing the use of a drug called mephalan - the first effective treatment for myeloma patients at a time when the only other medicinal option was urethane, a toxic paint thinner that has since been withdrawn from pharmaceutical use.
Celebrated for his knowledge, grace and fairness, Doctor BERGSAGEL was inspired and taught by Doctor Max Wintrobe, a Canadian hematologist who worked in the United States and, significantly, was part of the team that first established the use of chemotherapy. Later, as chief of medicine at Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital for 26 years, Doctor BERGSAGEL trained a generation of Canadian oncologists who went on to train later generations of cancer warriors.
"If you were to name a grandfather of medical oncology in Canada, I don't think there would really be any competition - Danny would be it," said Doctor Ian TANNOCK, the current Daniel Bergsagel Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Toronto.
However, Doctor BERGSAGEL's passion for his patients and dedication to myeloma research never eclipsed his love of the arts, literature, wine, travel, good food and, above all, family. He was as comfortable leading a round of song at a wedding as leading medical rounds in hospital. Unlike many professionals today, he combined his vocation with his personal life in a way that enriched both. When his children were young, he would take them to his laboratory on weekends. Once, he showed two of his sons the small white mice he used in some of his experiments. Later, when son John was asked what his father did for a living, he answered: "He's a mouse doctor. And not a very good one because most of his mice die." Both those sons are now practising hematologists, and one - Doctor Leif BERGSAGEL - is internationally recognized for identifying the genetic changes that cause myeloma.
Another example of how deftly Doctor BERGSAGEL blended the professional with the personal was his insistence that his wife accompany him on the many meetings he attended around the world. When possible, he also took the children. He once transformed a visiting professorship at the University of Manchester into a two-month vacation in England and France for the entire family. Often, he would turn to his family and say, "Aren't we lucky to be here and to being doing this?" Back in Toronto, the family home had an open-door policy, with Doctor BERGSAGEL regularly bringing colleagues home for dinner. Although conversations tended to start with medicine, they rarely stayed on topic.
"I had the pleasure to be invited to his home," said Jan WESTIN, a medical researcher with the University of Lund, Sweden. "After long discussions on myeloma therapy, he also interrogated me regarding the best recipe for Swedish snaps."
Another Swedish scientist - Gosta Gahrton from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, remembered a certain medical meeting in the Middle East - "Then, we talked not about myeloma but about carpets," Doctor Gahrton said.
Daniel BERGSAGEL was born into a devout and close-knit Lutheran family in Outlook, a small farming community in west-central Saskatchewan, 80 kilometres southwest of Saskatoon. His father, a Norwegian immigrant, was president of Outlook Lutheran College, and later an ordained minister serving Lutheran parishes in rural Saskatchewan. His mother, born in Minnesota, also came from Norwegian stock. As a child, his playground was the prairie and woods bounding the South Saskatchewan River. He was the oldest of three children and remained connected to his brother John and his sister Marion throughout his life. Music played a big part in the family's life, and Doctor BERGSAGEL developed a love and talent for singing that led him to join choirs, barbershop quartets and even an opera chorus.
After graduating from Camrose Lutheran College, he entered premed studies at the University of Manitoba. Accepted into medical school, he supported his studies by working as a porter on the Canadian Pacific Railway, where he supplemented his earnings with poker winnings - a fact carefully hidden from his strictly religious parents. While at university, he joined the Gilbert and Sullivan Society. During one production, he met a young woman whose grandparents had emigrated from Iceland. The two were married in 1950. Perhaps it was their shared Nordic heritage that cemented what was an exceptionally strong partnership. Choosing Joyce SIGURDSON to be his life companion, his brother John BERGSAGEL says, "was the wisest thing he ever did."
After graduation and a brief stint working in northern Manitoba, Dr. BERGSAGEL pursued postgraduate studies in hematology with Dr. Wintrobe in Salt Lake City, Utah. He made the decision after being diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes - he needed to work in a specialty that allowed regular hours and meals. The arrival of his daughter Karin in 1952 and his son Paul two years later were yet more reasons.
Although Doctor BERGSAGEL thrived under Doctor Wintrobe's rigorous tutelage, years later he would tell his grandchildren: "I still have the creepy feeling that he checks everything I do." With his mentor's help, he was accepted at Oxford, where he received a doctorate in 1955 before accepting a position as hematologist at the M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston.
His fascination with proteins and drug therapy led him to specialize in patients with myeloma. If science was to make any headway in defeating this disease, he once said, it needed a better understanding of the disease, and better drugs to treat it. At that time, urethane - which had been in common use for about 20 years - was proving to cause more harm than help. In fact, M.D. Anderson did not admit people suffering from myeloma because nothing therapeutic could be offered them. However, Doctor BERGSAGEL obtained consent to admit myeloma patients for the testing of new drugs. The first one he tried was mephalan. It had a significant effect and became the standard therapy worldwide for more then 40 years, remaining in use today. In recognition of this achievement, he was awarded the first ever Waldenstrom Award for myeloma research.
While treated well in Texas, where he was happy and productive and even became a U.S. citizen, Doctor BERGSAGEL could not resist an offer to work with prominent scientists at the Ontario Cancer Institute and to serve as chief of medicine at Princess Margaret. The family returned to Canada in 1964, having expanded to include John and Leif.
For the next 25 years, Doctor BERGSAGEL conducted research, treated patients, and taught interns and residents while administering medical matters. Under him, the hospital made huge advances in cancer treatment. When he arrived, the hospital had just 12 beds designated for medicine, as opposed to surgery or radiation. Today, as part of the University Health Network's oncology and blood disorders program, it is the largest medical oncology centre of its kind in Canada.
Highly respected as an academic and scientist and cherished for his gentleness and attention to life's simple pleasures, Doctor BERGSAGEL loved his work but also loved to entertain. He enthusiastically took part in Princess Margaret Hospital's annual Christmas concert. His children always had to wait to open their presents until he returned from the hospital, where he carved the turkey for patients.
"It wasn't that sometimes he wasn't competitive or couldn't get cross, but he was always a very gentlemanly figure," said Doctor TANNOCK, who first met him in 1976. "The worst swear word I ever heard him use was 'Drat.' "
However, he was not without his old-school idiosyncrasies. Extremely polite with women, he nonetheless had trouble accepting their presence in medicine.
"Gad," he would say. "They'll just go off and have kids!" On one occasion, he had a meeting with four female doctors in the same small room. All happened to be pregnant and he gingerly avoided bumping into one.
Another quirk was that he always wore a collar, clean white shirt, and tie - even to do the gardening.
Dr. BERGSAGEL retired at age 65 but remained active and interested in myeloma research. In 2001, he was named to the Order of Canada. Then, in 2002, the diabetes that he had managed for so long took its toll and he suffered a stroke, which left his right arm severely weakened. More recently, his vascular system worsened, and late this year he suffered a serious heart attack followed by a large stroke.
"He will be remembered for his very human qualities - he was kind and genuinely interested in the lives and careers of those who worked with him," recalled Toronto oncologist Jacinta MEHARCHAND. "His patients had ultimate trust in him."
Daniel Egil BERGSAGEL was born in Outlook, Saskatchewan., on April 25, 1925. After suffering a heart attack and stroke, he died at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto on October 20, 2007. He was 82. He is survived by Joyce, his wife of 57 years, plus brother John BERGSAGEL, sister Marion TWYMAN, daughter Karin, sons Paul, John, Leif and seven grandchildren.

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WESTLAKE o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2007-08-08 published
SHUSTER, Pauline (née MILEC)
94 years, died in Leamington on Monday, August 6, 2007. Born in Soljani near the Sava River in Yugoslavia, moved to Pivnice on Danube in the 1920's. She was a baker's daughter, who married Jerry M. SHUSTER in 1934. She loved dancing to Blue Danube and other Johan Straus Waltzes. They came to Leamington in 1938 for a better future for their family, thus they avoided World War 2 Tito Communism; Milosevic terror. Stressing education and hard work they raised 5 children: Diane WESTLAKE and husband Joel, Jerry SHUSTER and the late Joy, Milan SHUSTER and wife Helina, Lily Shuster HINCE and husband Tom, Ruth STACEY and husband John. Loving grandmother of Jeffrey, Tonya, Tyler, Torin, Marina, Mark, Kurt, the late Karla, Ethan, Stephanie, Dennis and great-grandmother of Jessica, William, Jack, Katherine, Zoe, Esme, Maximillian, River and Alyssa. The only Liberal in the family, she adored Trudeau. She loved to cook (best fried chicken and lemon cake in the world), wash, iron clothes, God and her church. She left us embroidered feather pillows and duvets from feathers she plucked herself. She was predeceased by her husband Jerry. Special thanks to the staff at First West at the Sun Parlor Home. We will always be grateful to the late Doctor Lawrence for the great care he gave to her. We will continue to enjoy life mother -- just like you taught us! Visiting at the Reid Funeral Home, 14 Russell Street, Leamington (519-326-2631) on Thursday 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service to celebrate Pauline's life at the FGT Family Church, 285 Talbot Street East, Leamington on Friday, August 10, 2007 at 11 a.m. Interment Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery, Leamington. Memorial donations may be made by cheque to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. Friends may send condolences at www.reidfuneralhome.ca

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WESTMAN o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2007-01-13 published
WESTMAN, Weldon (November 6, 1927-January 11, 2003)
We remember you in silence And make no outward show But what it meant to lose you No one will ever know. Always, Lorna (Laddie - man's best friend).

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WESTMAN o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2007-11-03 published
GILLING, Kathleen Margaret Ruth (formerly ENGLISH, née WESTMAN)
Kathleen Margaret Ruth GILLING (née WESTMAN, formerly ENGLISH), daughter of Thomas WESTMAN and Florence COLLETT of Ottawa and Toronto, died in Saint_John's, Newfoundland, on October 26, 2007.
She was predeceased by her husband Basil Redvers ENGLISH, Rector of the Church of St. Aidan, Queen Street East, Toronto (1960) by her husband Walter GILLING, Dean of Saint_James Cathedral (1990) by her daughter Margaret FRAZER, Curator of the Byzantine Collection, Metropolitan Museum, New York (1999); and by her seven Westman siblings: Winnifred, Florence, Viola, Arthur, George, Roberts, Evelyn.
A devoted student of art and art history, she taught at Western Preparatory School, Forest Hill, was head of the Art Department of Earl Haig Collegiate, and from 1964 to 1967 Associate Professor and head of the Art Department of Althouse College of Education, University of Western Ontario. In a long and spirited life spent largely in Toronto, she was active in support of the Georgina Houses of the Anglican Church, and greatly enjoyed duplicate bridge, golf, opera, ballet, theatre, and international travel.
She is survived by her son Christopher ENGLISH (Jean GUTHRIE,) Saint_John's, and grandchildren Katinka ENGLISH, Sudbury; Ellen ENGLISH, Halifax; Martha WORTH (Thomas) and Andrew FRAZER, North Carolina; Zoë CHESWICK (Dan,) Brooklyn; and great-grand_son, Rowan WORTH. Special niece Francess HALPENNY and nephew C. Robert SENIOR were generously supportive in her final years. In Saint_John's Mary Connors and Una Marsden gave the best of care.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Anglican Church of Canada, 60 Hayden Street, Toronto, M4Y 3G2. A memorial service will be held in Toronto later.

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WESTON o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2007-11-23 published
KEATING, R.▼ Darrell▼ W.,▼ LLB, Q.C.
With great sadness, Darry's family announces his passing at London Health Sciences Centre - University Hospital on Tuesday November 20, 2007, in his 82nd year. He was the son of the late Brigadier General Harold J.B. KEATING and Gwladys M. (WESTON) KEATING. Beloved▼ husband of Jean (NOWOSAD) for 43 years and loving father of Kate. He is also survived by nieces Mary-Anne, Cathy, Nancy, Sheila, Rebecca, Lynne and nephews Christopher, Jeremy, Dan, Neale and their families. Also loved by his in-laws Olive LANOWAY, Myron NOWOSAD and Jean NOWOSAD. He was predeceased by his brother J.B. Weston KEATING and Desiree McCORMACK. Darry▼ grew up in Halifax. He attended McGill University then Dalhousie Law School. He practiced law in London, Ontario, from 1953 to 1995. He was a past member of the Highland Country Club and past president of the Optimist Club of Downtown London. He especially enjoyed many years at his cottage in Cedar Bank subdivision on Lake Huron. Friends will be received at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, on Monday, November 26th from 11 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 1 p.m. held in the funeral home chapel. Interment to take place in Wolfville, Nova Scotia at a later date. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 150 - 633 Colborne Street, London, Ontario, N6B 2V3 or to a charity of choice. The family wishes to thank all of the nurses, PSAs and doctors who cared for him so well over the past few months at University Hospital.
Online condolences accepted at www.amgeorgefh.on.ca
"Let me go back to the sea"

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WESTON o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2007-11-24 published
KEATING, R.▲ Darrell▲ W.,▲ LLB, Q.C.
With great sadness, Darry's family announces his passing at London Health Sciences Centre - University Hospital on Tuesday November 20, 2007, in his 82nd year. He was the son of the late Brigadier General Harold J.B. KEATING and Gwladys M. (WESTON) KEATING. Beloved▲ husband of Jean (NOWOSAD) for 43 years and loving father of Kate. He is also survived by nieces Mary-Anne, Cathy, Nancy, Sheila, Rebecca, Lynne and nephews Christopher, Jeremy, Dan, Neale and their families. Also loved by his in-laws Olive LANOWAY, Myron NOWOSAD and Jean NOWOSAD. He was predeceased by his brother J.B. Weston KEATING and Desiree McCORMACK. Darry▲ grew up in Halifax. He attended McGill University then Dalhousie Law School. He practiced law in London, Ontario, from 1953 to 1995. He was a past member of the Highland Country Club and past president of the Optimist Club of Downtown London. He especially enjoyed many years at his cottage in Cedar Bank subdivision on Lake Huron. Friends will be received at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, on Monday, November 26th from 11 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 1 p.m. held in the funeral home chapel. Interment to take place in Wolfville, Nova Scotia at a later date. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 150 633 Colborne Street, London, Ontario, N6B 2V3 or to a charity of choice. The family wishes to thank all of the nurses, PSAs and doctors who cared for him so well over the past few months at University Hospital. Online condolences accepted at www.amgeorgefh.on.ca 'Let me go back to the sea'

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WESTOVER o@ca.on.grey_county.owen_sound.the_sun_times 2007-08-07 published
HOUSE, Amy Evelyn (née CRAMP)
Amy HOUSE, beloved wife for over 65 years of William (Bill) HOUSE, formerly of Meaford, passed away in her sleep at her residence at Royal Terrace Nursing Home in Palmerston on Monday August 6, 2007 in her 86th year. Daughter of the late Charles and Evelina “Evie” (REID) CRAMP of St. Vincent Township. Loved and loving mother and mother-in-law of Ruth Ann and Gord WESTOVER of Harriston, Ivan and Catharine HOUSE of Palmerston, and Ilene HOUSE (late Dennis HOUSE) of Saint Thomas. Doting grandmother of Laura, David, Ted, Brad, John, and J.D. and proud great-grandmother of Brenna, Ian, Lucas and Dante. Dear sister of Roy and Audrey CRAMP of Nepean, and Muriel and Harold MERRIFIELD of Meaford and also survived by sisters-in-law Ethel CRAMP of Edmonton, Alberta, Hazel HOUSE of Owen Sound and Terry HOUSE of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Predeceased by her son Dennis, brothers Cecil and Orval CRAMP, and a sister Doris CRAMP. A life-long resident of St. Vincent Township and Meaford, Amy was a member of Riverside Women's Institute and the Meaford United Church Women. Amy's family invites Friends to share memories of Amy during visitation at the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., in Meaford on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and from 7 until 9 o'clock. Funeral services will be conducted at the funeral home on Wednesday August 8, 2007 at 1: 30 p.m. with Catharine HOUSE officiating. Committal service and interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, Meaford. As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Meaford United Church would be appreciated.

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WESTROP o@ca.on.grey_county.owen_sound.the_sun_times 2007-08-01 published
COURTNEY, Frank▼
Peacefully in his sleep at the Grey Bruce Health Services in Owen Sound on Tuesday, July 31st, 2007. Henry Francis (Frank) COURTNEY, of Chatsworth moved on to his just rewards. He was in his 77th year. Dearly beloved husband of Sharon COURTNEY (nee CALLENDER.) Loving▼ father of Blaine COURTNEY and his wife, Patricia, Brian COURTNEY, Brent▼ COURTNEY, Debbie ORMSBY and her husband, Leonard, Cindee ZIDAR and her husband, John, Kim LEONARD and her husband, Martin and Marjorie WESTROP and her husband, Dave. He will be sadly missed by eighteen grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and six sisters. Predeceased by his parents, Jacob and Ima COURTNEY, seven brothers and four sisters and his two grand_sons, Tony ORMSBY and Christopher COURTNEY. Friends▼ may call at the Brian E. Wood Funeral Home, 250 - 14th Street West, Owen Sound (519-376-7492) on Thursday evening from 7: 00-9:00 p.m. A Funeral Service for Frank COURTNEY will be held in the Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, August▼ 3rd, 2007 at 11: 00 a.m. with Doctor Brad CLARK and Pastor Gordon ADAM/ADAMS officiating. If so desired, the family would appreciate donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Lung Association as your expression of sympathy.

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WESTROP o@ca.on.grey_county.owen_sound.the_sun_times 2007-08-01 published
COURTNEY, Henry Francis▲ " Frank▲"
Peacefully in his sleep at the Grey Bruce Health Services in Owen Sound on Tuesday, July 31st, 2007. Henry Francis (Frank) COURTNEY, of Chatsworth moved on to his just rewards. He was in his 77th year. Dearly beloved husband of Sharon COURTNEY (nee CALLENDER.) Loving▲ father of Blaine COURTNEY and his wife, Patricia, Brian COURTNEY, Brent▲ COURTNEY, Debbie ORMSBY and her husband, Leonard, Cindee ZIDAR and her husband, John, Kim LEONARD and her husband, Martin and Marjorie WESTROP and her husband, Dave. He will be sadly missed by nineteen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and five sisters. Predeceased by his parents, Jacob and Ima COURTNEY, several brothers and sisters and his two grand_sons, Tony ORMSBY and Christopher COURTNEY. Friends▲ may call at the Brian E. Wood Funeral Home, 250 - 14th Street West, Owen Sound (519-376-7492) on Thursday evening from 7: 00-9:00 p.m. A Funeral Service for Frank COURTNEY will be held in the Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, August▲ 3rd, 2007 at 11: 00 a.m. with Doctor Brad CLARK and Pastor Gordon ADAM/ADAMS officiating. If so desired, the family would appreciate donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Lung Association as your expression of sympathy.

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WESTWATER o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2007-01-11 published
BERDAN, Mary A. (WESTWATER)
Peacefully at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital, Mary A. BERDAN (WESTWATER) of Strathroy passed away at 11: 30 a.m. January 9, 2007. Mary is survived by her daughters; Vera McLEISH of Parkhill, Joyce BRUM of Strathroy and her son Albert BERDAN of Hanover. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, sons-in-law Ivan McLEISH and Simon BRUM and daughter-in-law Evelene BERDAN and several sisters. Predeceased by her brother Dave and parents Doris and John WESTWATER. Visitation will be held at Denning Bros. Funeral Home, Strathroy on Friday, January 12 from 7-9 p.m. where a funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 13 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Larry AMIRO officiating. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family. A tree will be planted as a living memorial to Mary.

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WESTWOOD o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2007-10-13 published
WOOD, Geraldine Marie "Zsa" (formerly SIFTON, née McINTYRE)
(July 30, 1917-October 10, 2007)
Passed away of natural causes peacefully at her home surrounded by her family: daughters Lyn WESTWOOD, Martha SIFTON (Mike) and son, Jamie SIFTON (Suzanne.) She was predeceased by her first husband, Clifford McLean SIFTON in 1953, her second, Peter WOOD in 1987 and her eldest son John (Jack) SIFTON in 1989. Also by her parents William Jacob (1980) and Alexandra (1991) McINTYRE, brother Jack (World War 2) and sister Peggy (1981),
She will be missed by her stepchildren David (Nancy), Alastair and Jennifer WOOD and her grand and step-grandchildren, Ashton and Whitney WESTWOOD, Tiffany (Jason) SIFTON and Joshua, Daniel and Thea WOOD. She will also be missed by her sister Mary Lou (Jim) and their children Jamie and Mary, as well as by the children of her sister Peggy; Sandra, Sue (John) and Shelly.
She was a wonderful wife, mother, step-mother and friend, and her magnetic personality drew a wide circle around her during her years in Saskatoon, Toronto, Greenwich and Darien, Connecticut. Each summer, she was the much-loved chatelaîne at her beloved Whitney Point in the Thousand Islands. Her generous heart will be remembered by us all.
A memorial mass will be celebrated Tuesday, October 16 at 2: 00 p.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 354 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto. (At her request, cremation will have taken place before the service.) The family will welcome all Friends at a celebration of Gerry's life at her home after the service.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the National Ballet of Canada in her honour will be appreciated.

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