Obituary of Edward Richmond Harrigan

EDWARD RICHMOND HARRIGAN, M.D.

February 25, 1920 to May 21, 2017

Ed died of natural causes in his 98th year, after a full life well lived.  His many interests included boats (especially sailboats), marksmanship, photography, wood carving, skiing and motorcycling.  At 53 he earned a certificate in welding; at 63 he took up windsurfing; at 73 he started piano lessons; at 83 he rode an elephant in Thailand; and at 93 he was still single-handedly installing culverts on his property.

But his family and friends will remember him best for his gentle wisdom, his quick wit and the respect and generosity he showed to all – plus a perfectionism that set the bar high for all around him!

Ed was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and graduated from Dalhousie Medical School at the age of 22.  He enlisted as a Captain in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, serving in England, Holland and Germany.  While waiting to go overseas, he met Doris McGee, a physiotherapist in the Medical Corps who served in England.  They married in 1946, and lived in Toronto while Ed completed his specialization in radiology.

In 1953, Ed and Doris moved to Timmins, where for 26 years Ed headed the Radiology Department at St. Mary’s General Hospital and the Porcupine General Hospital.  It was a wonderful life for the family, with good friendships, the great outdoors and their cottage on Ice Chest Lake.  In 1978, they relocated to Huntsville, where Ed worked for nine years at the Huntsville and District Memorial Hospital.  Doris died in 1985, after almost 40 years of a happy and fulfilling partnership.

In his retirement, Ed continued his many pursuits.  But what he enjoyed most was visits with his granddaughters, for whose pleasure he maintained a beach and a flotilla of boats, and hosted the annual May 24th fireworks extravaganza.  Ed also travelled extensively, and participated in activities from square dancing to Probus with his good friend Ruth Newell.

In 2016 Ed moved to Christie Gardens in Toronto, where the affectionate care provided by the staff contributed greatly to the comfort of his final year.

Ed is survived by his son, Gordon Harrigan (Wendy Ouellette), and his daughter, Joan Weppler (Rob); by five granddaughters: Erin Harrigan (David Coker), Claire Harrigan (Tom Turner),  Caitlin Harrigan (Eric Wichman), Lindsey Weppler and Alison Weppler; and by two great-grandsons, Thomas and James Coker.  He was predeceased by his daughter, Kathy (1963); his wife, Doris (1985); his friend, Ruth (2015); and his parents and siblings.

A service honouring Ed’s life will be held at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES – NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31st.  If desired, donations in Ed’s memory may be made to Doctors Without Borders, a charity he supported, or to the charity of your choice.