Emerson Amos Moffitt

MOFFITT, Dr. Emerson Amos - 86, has died peacefully after a period of failing health. Dr. Moffitt was born on September 9, 1924 in Harvey, N.B. He was served in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy as a pilot during World War II, and following that he completed college at the University New Brunswick. Emerson went on to complete medical school at Dalhousie University and worked for several years as a General Practitioner in North Sydney. In 1954 he went to work for the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota in the specialized field of cardiac anaesthesia. He was part of a medical team which pioneered open heart surgery incorporating a radical new pump oxygenator. Dr. Moffitt went on to work on dozens of open heart surgeries and published 75 studies on cardiac patients. In 1972, he moved back to Dalhousie University Medical School as head of the anaesthesia department overseeing five Halifax and Saint John, NB hospitals. From 1980-86 he also served as Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs. At Dalhousie, Dr. Moffitt from 1957-1991 he had 224 career publications and made 255 presentations worldwide. Upon retiring in 1991, Emerson organized a senior’s golf group called GASPERS at Ashburn Country Club. He also spent much of his life enjoying snow skiing and travelling. Dr. Moffitt is pre-deceased by his first two wives, Helen & Phyllis, his sister Ruby & brother Eugene, and his grand daughter, Elizabeth Akerman. Family members who will remember him fondly: his wife, Isabel Moffitt, Eric, Trevor & Barclay Moffitt, Roxanne Pignanelli, Celene, Geof, Heather & Lee Lyon, Laurie, Mike & Vanessa Barr, Jim, Emma & Jimmy Vibert, Kim MacDonald, Ann Vibert & Glynis Ross, Marjorie, Bert, Katherine & Michael Akerman, Elizabeth & Will Vibert, Todd & Isla Hatfield, Mary Vibert, Doug, Isabella & Abebe Brown, Velma Moffitt, Peter & Margaret Annis. The funeral service will be held at Bethany United Church, Monday at 2:00 pm, 7171 Clinton Ave. Halifax. In lieu of flowers, send donations to the Emerson Moffitt Scholarship Award, care of Dalhousie University. Please visit www.jasnowfuneralhome.com.