C.W. "Bill" McCormick

C. William (Bill) McCormick BSc, MD, FRCP(C) – 68, Halifax, quietly passed away March 18 in the Palliative Care Unit, VG Hospital, surrounded by his loving and close family and friends. Born in Annapolis Royal, he was the eldest son of the late H. Gordon and Agnes (Fawcett) McCormick. He received his early education at Annapolis Royal Academy, where he was an outstanding student and athlete. An avid outdoorsman and trout fisherman, Bill spent many happy hours on the Milford Lakes. He was naturally musical, and enthusiastically entertained family and friends with his rollicking piano. Bill attended Mount Allison and Dalhousie Universities where he pursued excellence in all he did, from varsity basketball to academics. In 1969 he graduated with distinction from Dalhousie Medical School, earning the University Gold Medal. From 1969 to 1975, he practiced family medicine in Middleton, NS, before going on to a Residency in Neurology at Dalhousie and the University of Western Ontario. At Western he studied under Dr. Henry Barnett, who became his mentor, fellow birder, and friend. Following his residency, he became a researcher in stroke prevention, participating in two international research projects that changed the course of stroke treatment. Bill returned to Halifax in 1980 to practice at the VG and teach at Dalhousie Medical School, where he served as Program Director of the Neurology Residency Training Program. In the 1990s he was President of the Canadian Neurological Society and the Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences, as well as Chief Examiner of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, the first neurologist to hold all three positions simultaneously. A gifted and popular teacher, he was particularly proud of the Silver Shovel Award he received from his medical students. Bill possessed an outgoing and warm presence, and was valued as a physician and friend to many. He will be so greatly missed. He is survived by his wife Joanne; beloved children, Heather Jane (Ian Zimmerman), New York, and James (Andrea), Halifax; cherished grandsons, Will and Tom, Halifax; brothers Carman (Elizabeth Haldane), Halifax, and Jeff (Frances), Moschelle, NS; sister Jane (Dr. Michael) Reardon, Halifax; nieces and nephews, Laura, Emily, John, Marc, Ashley, Luke, and Simon; and lifelong friend, Peter Nicholson. Special thanks to the outstanding doctors, wonderful nurses, and staff of 7A Palliative Care, VG Hospital. Your calm and caring manner was deeply appreciated. Visitation will be Wed. March 23, 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm, J. A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive. Memorial service and reception, Thurs. March 24, 11am, J. A. Snow Funeral Home Chapel, 339 Lacewood Dr., Halifax (902) 455-0531, Rev. Carson Baxter officiating. Interment at a later date. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Bill's memory may be made to the CW (Bill) McCormick Neurosciences Award at http://alumniapps.dal.ca/giveform/giveform.php or through the Office of External Affairs, Dalhousie University; or to the Palliative Care Unit, VG Site/QEII.

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