In Memoriam
Honouring CCS members who have passed away. When possible, we will link to obituaries, news articles, or other sources to honour to the deceased.
Please note all tributes will be presented in their original language of publication.
If you would like to submit information for the In Memoriam page, please contact membership@ccs.ca.
Dr. Margot Ruth Roach
With sad hearts we announce the death of Dr. Margot Ruth Roach, aged 88 in Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro N.S. Thursday, August 24, 2023.
Margot was born in Moncton, N.B. on December 24, 1934. She was the eldest daughter of Dr. Robert D. Roach of Tatamagouche, N.S. and Katherine L. McMillan of Jacquet River, N.B.
Margot’s life was dedicated to learning and teaching. She was a lifelong learner who became a trailblazer in her field of Biophysics. After retiring from a full career as a university professor, researcher, and physician, she continued her learning in theology to become a Licensed Lay Worship Leader. She was influenced by many mentors and was equally passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with her many students and young nieces and nephews.
Among her early influences, her grandfather, WR McMillan and Margot spent many hours debating on diverse topics, and she credited him with her ability to think on her feet and excel in oral exams.
Margot was also greatly influenced by her high school geometry teacher’s motto, “We can if we try hard enough.” Dr. McNaughton encouraged Margot to attend the University of New Brunswick where she earned a B.Sc. in Honours Math and Physics and became intrigued with Biophysics. She joined the summer intern program at UWO Biophysics Dept. and found her home.
A third mentor was Dr. Alan Burton of the Biophysics Department at the University of Western Ontario. He encouraged Margot to continue her studies in Biophysics and then told her that, for her research to be recognized by the medical profession, she would need to have a medical degree.
Margot followed his advice and completed her M.D. at McGill University in Montreal. She later trained in Internal Medicine and studied for her PhD with Burton.
She thrived on combining the associate professorship of Biophysics at UWO, Internal Medicine Consultant at Victoria Hospital in London and later at University Hospital, and continuing research for the Medical Research Council of Canada. She won awards in Biomedical engineering, for research on blood flow and artery mechanics and was the first chair of Biophysics following the retirement of Dr. Burton. Margot designed a Biophysics course for medical students at UWO, and her creative assignments were devilish combinations of clinical medicine and biophysical concepts. She was most proud of her teaching award by the graduating medical class “Class of 62 Award” as the students had voted her the professor who taught them the most during their university years.
Margot’s work in Biophysics took her around the world, including sabbaticals in Australia and Oxford where she continued her research, presenting at international meetings and in support of the development of Biophysics Programs in other countries including China. In recognition of her continuing work in Biophysics she was awarded a D.Sc. by UNB Saint John. There are two scholarships set up in her name at the UNB and one at Dalhousie Medical Faculty. The flag at UWO will be lowered in her honour this week.
After devoting a lifetime to the advancement of Biophysics, she married Franklin St. Alban House of Oxford, England a few days before her 60th birthday. Fulfilling a lifelong dream of returning to Tatamagouche she and Frank happily retired to Sand Point and were welcomed by the community. While in Tatamagouche, Margot remained active, volunteering with the Hospital Board, at Sharon United Church and filling in as a Licensed Lay Worship Leader at churches in the area.
Margot was predeceased by her mother and father and two infant brothers, Evan Dickson and John Robert. Left to mourn are Margot’s treasured friends Ann Wildish of N.B and Pat Hankinson of England, stepdaughter Jane Lusty of England, and Margot’s sister, Lorna Roach Tissington of Nanaimo, B.C. Also, nieces Janice Colleen Tissington Walker (Michael) and Margot Lynn Tissington, and nephew, Garth Stephen Tissington (and his wife Holly Kinkaid). Great nieces Darby Meagan Walker and Nora Frances Loyst and nephew Benjamin Stewart Loyst. Many students, friends and relatives will miss a caring and inspiring role model and friend.
Margot’s family gives heartfelt thanks to the staff of Parkland Truro for their care and especially to Valerie Kerr.
Margot’s remains are resting in Coulter’s Funeral Home, Tatamagouche, N.S. There will be no visitation by request. A funeral service will be held in Sharon United Church, Tatamagouche, N.S. on Wednesday, August 30th at 2pm with Rev. Connie McNamara officiating, followed by interment in the Tatamagouche Cemetery. Reception to follow. A recording of the service will be made available on this website later in the day.
Donations may be made to Sharon United Church or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Dr. Harry Abramson
ABRAMSON, Harry MD FRCPC – On Tuesday, January 10, 2023 surrounded by family. Devoted son of
the late Ben and Rae Abramowitz. Beloved husband and best friend of the late Dolores Abramson for 56
years. Cherished father and father-in-law of Beth Abramson and Andrew Hamlin, and Neil and Cindy
Abramson. Adored and adoring grandfather of Jordan Abramson, Carey Abramson, and Daniel Hamlin.
A man of great integrity who led by example. Kind and compassionate, he was a person of great intellect
and accomplishment yet extremely humble. He devoted his whole life to his family and to the practice of
cardiology. He will be greatly missed. The service will be held at Temple Sinai, 210 Wilson Avenue (east
of Bathurst) on Friday, January 13th at 10:30 a.m. Interment in the Temple Sinai section of Pardes
Shalom Cemetery. Shiva at 561 Avenue Road, Toronto. Please see www.benjamins.ca for further details.
Memorial donations may be made to The Dolores and Harry Abramson Memorial Fund c/o Temple Sinai
416-487-4161.
Dr. John Tyberg
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dr. John Tyberg on April 10, 2022 at the age of 83 following a brief illness.
Dr. Tyberg was born in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, and received his BA at Bethel College, St Paul, Minnesota, his MD and PhD in a combined MD/PhD program at the University of Minnesota. He also trained at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Harvard University; the University of California, San Francisco; and the Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, Los Angeles.
He joined the University of Calgary in 1981 as a Senior Clinical Investigator of the Alberta Heart Foundation. In 1983, he became a Heritage Medical Scientist of the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. He was twice a Visiting Scientist, first at the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, and later at St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London. He became Emeritus Professor of Cardiac Sciences and Physiology and Pharmacology, at the University of Calgary in 2011, but continued his usual research activity until it was disrupted by the pandemic. He was widely recognized internationally for his many contributions to understanding complex cardiovascular physiology.
He was committed to his many graduate and post-graduate students and often followed them with pride through their careers after they moved on. His generosity was such that he welcomed many students, trainees, and colleagues from various local and external faculties into his laboratory to share ideas and to perform their studies in his lab.
Dr. Joel Niznick
Peacefully on Friday, April 8, 2022, Joel Niznick passed away. His passing is an incredible loss to his family and friends and to the Ottawa community.
Niznick completed his Medical school at the University of Manitoba, his internal medicine training in Toronto and his cardiology subspecialty training in Ottawa. He led the development of the Ottawa Cardiovascular Centre (OCC), one of Ontario’s most advanced Cardiology care providers. Joel was a strong advocate and champion for excellence and continuity in patient care. He was a forward thinker and always was looking to ensure excellence in the delivery of care. He loved his patients and he thought of them like family that needed to be protected. He became a vital link in building community-academic hospital bridges.
The world has lost an extraordinary and admirable man who will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Dr. Malcom Arnold
We regret to inform you of the death of Dr. Malcom Arnold on February 18, 2022.
He will be remembered as a man committed to three passions: his faith, his family, and his work. Known for his character and integrity in all circumstances, his example of kindness, gentleness, steadfastness, and wisdom is celebrated by so many that knew him. He was a deeply devoted husband, committed father and cherished grandfather. The family aches in his absence and he will be missed yet are forever grateful for the legacy that he last left. They take great comfort knowing that his faith in the Lord is now being realized. His life was in service to many. As a physician for 38 years, he was a well-respected and significantly accomplished cardiologist, much of that with London Health Sciences Centre. He was also an admired church elder, actively involved with North Park Community Church for over 30 years.
Dr. George Wyse
Dr. George Wyse, MD, PhD, professor emeritus at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM), passed away peacefully alongside his wife of 58 years, Bonnie, in their home in Canmore on Jan. 6, 2022.
Wyse, a world-renowned cardiac arrhythmia clinician-scientist and longtime member of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute (LCI), retired from clinical practice in December 2016. His contributions to the CSM and the institute are immeasurable.
Wyse’s research career was also notable. During his 2017 UCalgary Lecture of a Lifetime presentation, he detailed two cardiac-arrhythmia research projects in which he held major leadership roles: the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST) and the Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM). Both impacted the treatment of heart patients globally.
These studies, along with Wyse’s other work, resulted in more than 300 publications and more than 18,000 citations. He was the founding member of the cardiac electrophysiology group at UCalgary and former chief of cardiology.
Wyse received numerous awards during his career including the 2007 Distinguished Scientist Award from the Heart Rhythm Society, an Annual Achievement Award from the Canadian Cardiovascular Society in 2008, the Top 40 Alumni award (2007) and Distinguished Alumni award (2005) from the UCalgary.
He was also president of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut and a founding and long-serving member of the LCI board.
Dr. David A. Murphy
We regretfully share the news that Dr. David A. Murphy, after being unwell for some time, passed away at home with family on Febraury 24, 2021.
Dr. Murphy was instrumental, along with Dr. Sullivan, in developing the cardiac transplant program in Halifax; likewise, he forged very effective basic science research collaboration as a foundation for the research achievements today. David took pride in teaching and was responsible for implementing a Royal College approved cardiac surgery residency program in 1978; he continued to mentor trainees throughout his career.
Dr Martial G. Bourassa
À l’Institut de cardiologie de Montréal, le 28 juillet 2020, à l’âge de 89 ans, entouré de l’amour des siens, est décédé Dr Martial G. Bourassa.
Depuis 1965, le Dr Bourassa était cardiologue à l’Institut de cardiologie de Montréal, et professeur titulaire à la Faculté de médecine de l’Université de Montréal depuis 1976. Il faisait partie de plusieurs sociétés scientifiques et y a occupé plusieurs présidences. Il est considéré comme l’un des pionniers de la cardiologie au Québec. Son nom est attaché à l’invention d’un cathéter, le cathéter Bourassa, utilisé en cardiologie tant au Canada et en Amérique du Nord qu’en Europe.
Lisez la notice nécrologique du Dr Bourassa.
Dr. Wilbert Keon
CCS President, 1988-1990
On April 7th, Dr. Wilbert Keon passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the age of 83. Dr. Keon founded the University of Ottawa Heart Institute in 1976 and served as its Chief Executive until 2004. In 1986, he became the first Canadian surgeon to implant an artificial heart – a Jarvik-7 – in a human.
Dr. Keon was President of the CCS from 1988-1990 and a lifelong member of the Society. His pioneering efforts, personal accomplishments, and contributions to the cardiovascular community will be remembered by many.
We will be memorializing Dr. Keon in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology in the coming months.