Dr. Donald John MacFadyen

(1929-2013)

Jack passed away in his sleep on August 24, 2013, in the Chilliwack General Hospital at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Frances, and their four children; Rod (Teasa Haney), Mary, Margot (Moe Agagnier) and Mark and his younger brother Charles (Lois) as well as two grandsons, Patrick and Stephen, of whom he was immensely proud. Jack was born in Eden, Manitoba to Donald and Margaret MacFadyen. He attended school in Kerrobert and Maple Creek, Saskatchewan and began his career as a very young cowboy in place of the many men from Maple Creek who were lost in WWII. In 1949 he earned his undergraduate degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Saskatchewan with distinction and went on to graduate in Medicine from the University of Toronto in 1953. For three years after graduation he chose to practise as the only doctor in the Northern Saskatchewan community of Loon Lake. While beginning his specialty in Neurology at the Saskatoon University Hospital, he received a MSc. Degree in Pathology in 1961 from the U of S, continued his neurological training with Harvard University at Boston City Hospital and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1963 as well as the American Academy of Neurology. In the 70's and 80's he taught at the University of Saskatchewan and UBC where he eventually headed both Departments of Neurology. He remained dedicated to medical education and public access to medicine throughout his career of almost 50 years. In 1975 he volunteered with CARE Canada as a neurological training specialist in Kabul, Afghanistan, an experience that he thoroughly enjoyed and remembered fondly for the rest of his life. He and Frances moved to Chilliwack, BC in 1988 where he practised as the sole neurologist in the Eastern Fraser Valley until his retirement in 2000. He dedicated the last years of his life to the care of his wife and best friend, Frances.

Heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Royal Columbian and Chilliwack General Hospitals for their consideration and care of Jack in his last days. There was a graveside service on August 30, 2013 at the Chilliwack Cemetery. The service may be viewed and condolences to the family may be left on the website of Henderson’s Funeral Home.

View Video Broadcast of Private Graveside Services;

http://alivestreaming.com/broadcasts/4182