James Howie Haldane

Dr. James Howie Haldane, KStJ, M.C., FRCP(C), FRCP (E), FRCP (G) – 93, of Halifax died at the Halifax Infirmary, QEII on July 21, 2012. Born in Recife, Brazil he was the younger son of Rev. James Howie and Marion Kerr Haldane. He was the beloved husband of Vanora for 67 years. After graduating from Edinburgh College of Medicine, Scotland in 1941 he served in the British Army from 1942-1946, first in the 157 Field Ambulance and later as Medical Officer to the 6th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, where he was awarded the Military Cross at the Battle of Nijmegen during the liberation of Holland. After discharge from the army he was a resident in General Medicine in Whitehaven and Wolverhampton in England, and from 1951-1965 he and Vanora were partners in general family practice in Dudley, West Midlands, England. In 1965 the family emigrated to Canada and Jim became a staff member in the Department of Medicine at the Victoria General Hospital and Dalhousie University until his retirement in 1990. He then worked part-time with the Red Cross Blood Services of Nova Scotia for 12 years. Jim was Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the 33 Medical Platoon, Canadian Armed Forces. He served for many years as a volunteer in the St. John Ambulance Brigade & Association in both England and Nova Scotia, and was dubbed a Knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem by Governor-General Roland Michener. He served both as a Brigade Medical Officer and as President of the St. John Ambulance Association of Nova Scotia. He was a member of the Halifax Kiwanis Club, including as President. He was a keen golfer and a member of Brightwood Golf and Country Club, actively playing until the age of 90 years. He is survived by his wife, Vanora; daughters: Lesley (Michael Benskin), Olso, Norway; Lindsay (John Clark), Ottawa, Ont; Elizabeth (Carman McCormick), Halifax; son: Dr. David Haldane (Christine), Halifax; sister: Helen (John Porter), Carlisle, England; 9 grandchildren: Adam (Elsa) and Clare Benskin, James, Siân and Ian Clark, Simon and Emily McCormick, Robert and Lyla Haldane; 1 great granddaughter, Ida Benskin. He was predeceased by his brother Andrew (Lily), London, England; sister Mary (Rev. Clarence Finlayson), Edinburgh, Scotland. There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held Wednesday July 25th at 11 a.m. in The Presbyterian Church of Saint David, 1544 Grafton Street, with Rev. Dr. P. A. ‘Sandy’ MacDonald officiating. Family flowers only. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the QEII Hospital Foundation or Saint David’s Presbyterian Church Building Fund.

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