Obituary for Terry Van Patter
Hugh Terry Van Patter (Terry)
January 14, 1926 – December 19, 2018
Terry passed away peacefully at the Villa Care Centre in Midland Ontario just shy of his 93rd birthday.
Predeceased by his first wife Elaine Porter (1971), and his brother Doug (2000). Survived by Mary, his loving wife of 42 years, his sister Jean Slaght, his son Ross (Susan) and his daughters Leslie (John) and Susan, his step children, Wendy (Richard), Tom (Jan), Margot (Roland), Jan (Ken) and Jack (Sue), as well as 18 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Born in Lachine, PQ, son of Hugh Van Patter and Jean (Macpherson). Terry grew up in Montreal (Westmount), PQ where he developed lifelong friendships, a love of learning and keen interest in sports.
During his impressive educational journey he earned numerous awards throughout his undergraduate, graduate and post graduate years. Terry began his post-secondary education after joining the Canadian Army in 1943 where he was posted to the Canadian Army Senior Course at McGill and completed 1st year Engineering. After an honourable medical discharge in 1943 Terry switched his focus to the study of medicine.
Terry graduated from the McGill University Medical Program (1949) winning multiple gold medals for highest standing. After interning at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal where he met Elaine, he further specialized in Pathology (1954), winning the Allen Blair Memorial Fellowship resulting in his residency in Pathology at the Memorial Centre for Cancer and Allied Diseases in New York followed by an extended travelling Fellowship in Pathology in Great Britain.
His career took Terry and his young family to Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital as an Associate in Pathology, followed by Chief Pathologist and Director of Laboratories at North York General. In addition to his hospital roles Terry was appointed Regional Pathologist for the Province of Ontario (1958), was a founding partner of Cyto-Pathology Associated in Toronto (1967) and was appointed Honorary Lecturer in the Department of Pathology at the University of Toronto (1970).
Terry retired to Collingwood in 1988, with Mary where he continued to pursue his love of the outdoors, sports, bridge (Silver Life Master) and travel. Terry was very proud of his large extended family and sharing wonderful times in Collingwood and at Esther Island, Georgian Bay. His generosity and support to family and friends, his love of life and cheeky sense of humour are remembered by so many whose lives he touched.
The family wishes to thank the many caregivers at CCAC, Seniors for Seniors and the Villa Care Centre who treated Terry with great respect and kindness.
Please join us for a celebration of Terry’s life at the Bear Estate, 300 Balsam St. Collingwood on Saturday January 19, 2019 at 12 noon with words of remembrance at 12:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Terry would be appreciated to Doctors Without Borders, 551 Adelaide St. W Toronto M5V 0N8 or a charity of your choice.
January 14, 1926 – December 19, 2018
Terry passed away peacefully at the Villa Care Centre in Midland Ontario just shy of his 93rd birthday.
Predeceased by his first wife Elaine Porter (1971), and his brother Doug (2000). Survived by Mary, his loving wife of 42 years, his sister Jean Slaght, his son Ross (Susan) and his daughters Leslie (John) and Susan, his step children, Wendy (Richard), Tom (Jan), Margot (Roland), Jan (Ken) and Jack (Sue), as well as 18 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Born in Lachine, PQ, son of Hugh Van Patter and Jean (Macpherson). Terry grew up in Montreal (Westmount), PQ where he developed lifelong friendships, a love of learning and keen interest in sports.
During his impressive educational journey he earned numerous awards throughout his undergraduate, graduate and post graduate years. Terry began his post-secondary education after joining the Canadian Army in 1943 where he was posted to the Canadian Army Senior Course at McGill and completed 1st year Engineering. After an honourable medical discharge in 1943 Terry switched his focus to the study of medicine.
Terry graduated from the McGill University Medical Program (1949) winning multiple gold medals for highest standing. After interning at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal where he met Elaine, he further specialized in Pathology (1954), winning the Allen Blair Memorial Fellowship resulting in his residency in Pathology at the Memorial Centre for Cancer and Allied Diseases in New York followed by an extended travelling Fellowship in Pathology in Great Britain.
His career took Terry and his young family to Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital as an Associate in Pathology, followed by Chief Pathologist and Director of Laboratories at North York General. In addition to his hospital roles Terry was appointed Regional Pathologist for the Province of Ontario (1958), was a founding partner of Cyto-Pathology Associated in Toronto (1967) and was appointed Honorary Lecturer in the Department of Pathology at the University of Toronto (1970).
Terry retired to Collingwood in 1988, with Mary where he continued to pursue his love of the outdoors, sports, bridge (Silver Life Master) and travel. Terry was very proud of his large extended family and sharing wonderful times in Collingwood and at Esther Island, Georgian Bay. His generosity and support to family and friends, his love of life and cheeky sense of humour are remembered by so many whose lives he touched.
The family wishes to thank the many caregivers at CCAC, Seniors for Seniors and the Villa Care Centre who treated Terry with great respect and kindness.
Please join us for a celebration of Terry’s life at the Bear Estate, 300 Balsam St. Collingwood on Saturday January 19, 2019 at 12 noon with words of remembrance at 12:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Terry would be appreciated to Doctors Without Borders, 551 Adelaide St. W Toronto M5V 0N8 or a charity of your choice.