G. Douglas Blenkarn, M.D. F.R.C.P. (C)

Those who knew Doug knew him as many things: a quiet intellect, a quick wit; a lover of classical music, skiing and tennis; an avid gardener, a hiker, and a person who lived life a little on the edge.

Doug was born in Toronto on July 28, 1934, to Alec and Marjorie O’Dell Blenkarn. When he attended Runnymede Collegiate School and Port Credit High School, Doug was more interested in sports and not particularly academically inclined. However, after graduating high school, he applied to the University of Toronto Medical School on his parents’ advice and excelled in his chosen field. Doug graduated first in his class and was awarded the Cody Gold Medal for Excellence in Medicine. He was also elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honour Medical Society.

Doug practiced general medicine in Barrie, Ontario, for four years before returning to the University of Toronto to complete a residency in anaesthesiology and a fellowship in respiratory physiology. He then completed a research fellowship in respiratory physiology and hyperbaric medicine at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

The next several years saw Doug and his then wife, Shirley, raising three sons: Mike, Tim, and Dave, and moving back and forth between Doug’s fellowships and teaching positions in North Carolina and Canada. Doug and his family returned to Canada in 1974, and he accepted a position at Dalhousie University as an Associate Professor of Anesthesia. He later became Director of the Anaesthesiology Residency Program.

Doug remarried in 1980, and he and his wife, Deborah Glanville, moved to Nanaimo in 1981 to begin life on the west coast. Tiring of academia, Doug started the next stage of his career in the operating room of the Nanaimo Region General Hospital, where Deb worked alongside him as an OR nurse. Doug was appointed Head of the Anaesthesiology Department, and his goal was to change the direction of the department by hiring young anesthetists with new ideas. He felt in order for Nanaimo to have a strong surgical department, it must have an even stronger anesthesia department. Doug recognized the impact of chronic pain on quality of life. Being an innovator, Doug founded the hospitals pain clinic - an outreach that made an immeasurable difference in the day-to-day life of members served by the hospital.

Retiring from a storied career in medicine in 1999, Doug developed a keen interest in rhododendrons, and adventure travel. Doug and Deb travelled the world – some of their more memorable trips being several adventures to India and Sri Lanka, as well as to the Semien mountains in Ethiopia, and to Indonesia to see the orangutans and komodo dragons. Doug and Deb, as well as their children and grandchildren also spent many happy summers at their cottage on Sproat Lake. Doug was exceedingly proud of his three sons that he shared with his late wife, Shirley McCollum. Seeing their lives unfold and families grow was a joy for him to behold.

He was predeceased by his beloved son, Tim Blenkarn; his parents; his brother, Don Blenkarn; and sister-in-law, Marguerite Blenkarn.

He is survived by his wife and partner of 45 years, Deb Glanville Blenkarn; his sons, Michael Blenkarn (Tricia Ramsay) and David Blenkarn (Lemei Wei); and his stepdaughter, Kerry Golembeski (Erik Golembeski); as well as his grandchildren, Brandon Blenkarn, Kendall Blenkarn (Dennis Kirch), Quinn Blenkarn, Emma Blenkarn, Paige Golembeski, Sam Golembeski, and Emily Wei.

He is also survived by his brother, David Blenkarn (Shelagh Blenkarn); sister, Mary Schoenhardt (Bill Schoenhardt); sisters-in-law, Theresa Glanville, Barbara Glanville, Mary Hutchinson (Bruce Hutchinson) and Susan Srivastava; as well as nieces and nephews.

Doug’s love of learning and sense of adventure contributed to a remarkable life of personal and professional growth. He will be missed greatly by his family and friends. A celebration of Doug’s life will be held on Tuesday June 18, 2024 at 5:00 PM at the Nanaimo Hornets Rugby Club, 6700 Dover Rd., Nanaimo.

The Blenkarn family wish to thank the staff at Avenir Memory Care in Nanaimo and Dr. Diane Wallis. As a physician, Doug cared for so many patients in need. His family is so grateful to everyone who played a role in his care when it was his turn to receive it, and when he needed it the most.

If you would like to make a donation in Doug’s memory, please consider Doctors Without Borders or a charity of your choice.