Obituary of Gordon Hunter, MB, FRCS

Gordon Andrew Hunter MB, FRCS, FRCS(C) Professor Emeritus May 25, 1937 - June 11, 2015 It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Gordon Andrew Hunter at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (SBHSC) on Thursday, June 11 at the age of 78. He had fought a courageous and lengthy battle against multiple health issues with stoicism and fortitude. Gordon had a distinguished career as a Senior Orthopaedic Surgeon at SBHSC, spanning a period of 30 plus years. He became a Professor in the Department of Surgery, University of Toronto in 1986, gaining Professor Emeritus status in 2002. Gordon leaves his beloved wife of 50 years, Virginia (Gini) and his adored daughter Carolyn (Nigel Kirkwood) and son Jonathan (Nita). He was a much loved Grandfather (Papa) to Thomas and Emma Kirkwood in Vancouver and (Ampa) to Alexandra, Campbell and Sophie Hunter in Toronto. In Australia and New Zealand, Gordon will be sadly missed by his nephews, niece and sisters-in-law: Andrew, David, Robert (Fred), Sally, Sue and Jean. Born in London, England, he was the second son of Dr John William Hunter and Antoinette Smyth. Gordon is predeceased by his parents and his brother, Dr Ian Anthony Hunter. Gordon was educated at Epsom College, Surrey, England and began his medical career at the age of 17 at the University College of London, graduating in 1960. He received several prestigious awards, notably the Gold Medal in Medicine (University College Hospital, London) and the Begley Prize in Surgery (Royal College of Surgeons of England) in 1960, the Otto Aufranc Award (the Hip Society of North America) in 1976, and the Bruce Tovee Award in Surgical Education (University of Toronto) in 1986. Postgraduate training included appointments at the Birmingham Accident Hospital and the University College Hospital in England, and at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. He and his family emigrated to Toronto in 1969. Gordon joined the staff of Sunnybrook as a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in 1970, retiring from surgical practice in 2002. Thereafter he worked part time as a medicolegal consultant at Canadian Trauma Consultants until 2013. Gordon will be remembered as a renowned educator, travelling widely to lecture on various orthopaedic topics, principally trauma, hip and knee replacements, and foot and ankle problems. He was a doctor in the true sense of the word - devoted to the care of each and every one of his patients. Friends and colleagues knew him as a quiet man with a dry sense of humour and a keen interest in world events. In earlier years he enjoyed tennis, sailing and swimming, and he was an avid gardener at his cherished home of 44 years in Lawrence Park. As time began to slow him down, he took pleasure in reading, jigsaw puzzles and watching cricket and rugby. He loved a good conversation, and to the end he was both curious and well informed. Above all, Gordon relished spending time with his family and his treasured dog Benji. He was very much at home in the countryside, and he spent many happy times in the outdoors with his children and grandchildren on both sides of the Atlantic and, more recently, on both sides of this country. Despite a full and rewarding life in Canada, Gordon ever remained an Englishman, with fond memories of his frequently visited home county of Suffolk. Sincere and heartfelt thanks are extended to Drs Padraig Warde and Debbie Selby, and the entire team - nurses, therapists and support staff - on K1C at SBHSC, for their expert, compassionate and committed care. As well, over the last two years, the exemplary and devoted care of Ms Lani Ramos is deeply appreciated. Visitation will take place at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles - Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 5 to 8 pm. on Wednesday, June 24. A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Timothy's Anglican Church, 100 Old Orchard Grove, Toronto, at 1 p.m. on June 25, 2015, with a reception to follow at the Vaughan Estate (Estates of Sunnybrook), 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto. In lieu of flowers, we would ask that donations may be made in Gordon's memory to the Sunnybrook Foundation, (www.sunnybrook.ca/foundation), Prostate Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Hospital (www.pmcf.ca) or the Heart and Stroke Foundation (www.heartandstroke.on.ca).