Obituary of Dr. Hans Messner

DR. HANS AUGUST MESSNER

1941–2018
 

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Hans Messner in Toronto on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, surrounded by his family, after a hard fought battle with cancer. Husband and best friend of Sandy (Shuve). Beloved father of Anne (Sean Le Drew), Kristy, Andrew and Erica (Mark Wasserman). Devoted Opa to Alexander, Kaitlyn, Emily, Hannah, Jacob and Hailey. Predeceased by his brother Eduard in 1977, he was a second father to his niece Andrea.

Hans was born in Brunn, Czechoslovakia on May 26, 1941. Being ethnic German, his family was transported to Fulda, Germany at the end of WWII. He grew up there and later studied medicine in Freiburg, Germany. He came to Canada in 1969 to complete his Ph.D. at the University of Toronto.  The day he arrived in Toronto he met his soulmate, Sandy and they married in 1973.

In 1975 he began a lengthy and accomplished career at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. During this time he established the allogeneic bone marrow transplant program, which now bears his name. He was the recipient of numerous awards, including the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation lifetime achievement award, granted to individuals who have made continuous clinical and scientific contributions to this field. In 2015 he was awarded the Order of Ontario in recognition of his many contributions.

When not at work, Hans loved spending time with his family at their cottage in Haliburton. There he spent many hours cycling, woodworking in the garage and planting in the garden.

Hans will be forever remembered by those whose lives he touched. He was a mentor, friend and advisor whose door was always open. He was a compassionate physician who treated patients not diseases, a humble man who said he was just doing his job. While his work was his passion, his family was always at the heart of everything he did.

The family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue on Tuesday, July 31st from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.  A funeral mass will be held in Blessed Sacrament Church, 24 Cheritan Avenue on Wednesday, August 1st at 11:00 a.m.  Private family interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill. If desired, donations in his memory can be made to the Messner Allogenic Transplant Program through the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (http://thepmcf.ca/HansMessner). Condolences, photographs and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com