In Memoriam
Colin Anderson
Dr. Colin Anderson
Jaroslav Frei
Dr. Jaroslav “John” Frei
1929 – November 16, 2023 (Age 94)
It is with sorrow and relief that the family of John Frei announces that he passed away on November 16, 2023, at the age of 94. John was predeceased by Ellen, his wife of 65 years; and is survived by his five children, Andrew (Marianne), Sibyl (Louise), Alex (Melony), Caroline (Mike) and Rosemary; his five grandchildren, Leah, Jeneen, Willem, Ariana and Genevieve; his great-grandchild, Nico John; his sisters, Paula and Helena; and his nieces and nephews. John was a Professor of Medicine and a Pathologist at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. He obtained an MD at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, and a PHD at McGill in Montreal, Quebec. John really enjoyed being outside. He took his family on mushroom hunts and cross-Canada camping trips, swam anywhere he could, and made time to paddle in his rowboat and cross-country ski at 'the land' (Nassagaweya). Through these adventures he taught his children to likewise enjoy the outdoors. Art was an important part of John's life. His paintings adorn many of his kids' walls, and his weekly trips to paint at the Arts and Letters Club gave him another outlet for artistic expression. John and Ellen strove to teach their children equality, human rights, value of family, education and culture. His children's diverse interests are testimony to the success of their efforts. The staff and management at Christie Gardens have been wonderful support during the last few years of John's life. We appreciate their great care and kindness. Next time you are out in nature, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this incredible world we live in, as would have John.
Robert Goyer
Dr. Robert Andrew Goyer, BSc, MD, FRCP(C)
June 2, 1927 – February 21, 2017 (Age 89)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Robert Andrew Goyer, Emeritus Professor of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.
Dr. Goyer served for two terms as the Chair and Chief of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Western University and University Hospital, appointments he held until his retirement in 1992.
A clinical pathologist with special interests in pediatric pathology, Dr. Goyer was an internationally renowned expert in the toxicity of metals and interactions of toxic metals with nutritionally essential metals. He published over 170 journal articles, reviews and book chapters in this field of research.
Dr. Goyer and his wife returned to Chapel Hill, North Carolina after his retirement.
David Grignon
Dr. David Grignon
1955 – January 28, 2020
Our condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Dr. David J. Grignon, who passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Grignon was a resident in our Anatomical Pathology program from 1981-1986. He went on to become one of "a few giants in urological pathology in the late 20th and early 21st century" according to Theodorus Van der Kwast, President of the International Society of Urological Pathology. Since 2007, Dr. Grignon was Centennial Professor of Pathology at Indiana University and Vice Chair for Clinical Programs and was a founding member of the International Society of Urological Pathology. During his exemplary career in Urogenital Pathology, Dr. Grignon contributed more than 350 paper publications, numerous book chapters, many invited lectures and courses, editorial board service, and service to all the major pathology organizations, including a recent term as the treasurer of the USCAP.
A memorial donation has been made on behalf of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.
Colette Guiraudon
Dr. Colette Marie Jeanne Guiraudon
June 15, 1933 – March 23, 2016
Dr. Guiraudon graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in Paris where she subsequently gained a Master’s degree for research into thyroid disease. For two decades she had a distinguished career as an orthopedic pathologist in Paris. In 1982 she moved with her husband to Canada where she built her second career in cardiovascular, renal and transplant pathology. Dr. Guiraudon retired from the university and hospital in 1998.It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Emerita Professor, Dr. Colette M. Guiraudon, on March 23rd, 2016, at University Hospital in London, Ontario.
During her time at University Hospital Dr. Guiraudon was the Director of Electron Microscopy & Immunopathology (1987-1993), the Director of Surgical Pathology (1988-1997), Acting Chief, Department of Pathology (1993-1996) and Director of Transplant Pathology (1997-1998).
Dr. Guiraudon taught in Undergraduate and Postgraduate Medicine and participated in the Graduate Program as an advisor and examiner. Her research focus at Western University was in cardiac pathology and renal transplantation and she was funded by the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario.
Dr. Guiraudon held dual French and Canadian citizenship. Colette was an avid swimmer and gardener. Her colleagues speak of her cooking abilities, her vitality and warm personality, all of which made her an ideal hostess both personally and professionally. Dr. Guiraudon was married to Dr. Gerard Guiraudon and they had three children.
Maria Daria Haust
Dr. Maria Daria Haust, OC, MD, MD(hc), FRCPC (née Jaworska)
August 18, 1921 – January 11, 2022 (Age 100)
Peacefully at her residence in Toronto. She leaves behind her husband of 70 years, Dr. Heinz Haust; her sons, Bill and his wife Judy, and Jan and his wife Millie; grandsons, Andrew, Lee and his wife Deborah, Marco and Julius; and great-grandchildren Evers, Quinn and Mabel, to whom she was devoted. A native of Poland with a medical degree from the University of Heidelberg, Germany, Daria moved to Canada with her husband in 1952.
Over the years, she earned worldwide recognition as a pathologist, researcher and one of the pioneers of Paediatric Pathology as a separate discipline. Among her many national and international awards were the Gold Medal of the International Atherosclerosis Society, Distinguished Pathologist of the US/Canadian Society of Pathology, the Canada Council Killam Prize in Medicine, three honorary degrees and, in 2006, she was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. A devoted professor, she also treasured her Best Teacher awards. She was the first female professor in the Faculty of Medicine at Queen’s University (Kingston) before teaching for many years at Western University (London), where she subsequently remained active as Professor Emeritus. In fact, “retirement” was not in her vocabulary! Never losing ties with her beloved Queen’s, she became Professor to Adjunct Academic Staff in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine up until her death.
Multi-lingual, she loved to quote Latin: Si tacuisses, philosophus manisses; Audiatur et altera pars; No scholae sed vitae discimus. The family is grateful to those who helped ease her final journey: her friend, Bruna Nota, her doctor, Peter Kopplin (Christie Gardens), Vasta (private caregiver), Aster (HCCSS), and the fine caregivers from Pearl Domestic Agency. According to her wishes, there will be no service. Her final resting place will be in the family plot in Marburg, Germany. To leave an electronic memory, or for links to her remarkable career, please visit: morleybedford.ca. In keeping with her love of education, a donation to an institution of higher learning in memory of M. Daria Haust would be appreciated.
John Godfrey Heathcote
Dr. John Godfrey Heathcote, MA, MBBChir, PhD, FRCPC
August 19, 1950 – March 20, 2024 (Age 73)
Godfrey Heathcote, who has died at the age of 73 years on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at his home in Bayfield, Ontario, was born in St. Helens, Lancashire, England, the only son of John G. and Ethel Heathcote.
Predeceased by both parents, he is survived by, Jackelyn, his wife of 43 years, his daughters, Victoria (Daryl) of London, Ontario, Joanna (James) of Kemptville, Ontario and Alexandra (Nick) of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, together with three granddaughters, Claire, Anna and Madison.
Educated at West Park Catholic Grammar School, St. Helens, St. John’s College, Cambridge University and University College Hospital, London, Godfrey enjoyed a long academic career spanning metabolic medicine, connective tissue biochemistry, anatomical pathology and medical laboratory administration. He was an internationally recognised expert in the pathology and developmental biology of the eye and served as Chairman of the Canadian Ophthalmic Pathology Society (1999-2014) and President of the British Association for Ophthalmic Pathology (2016-2019). He was Chairman of the Pathology Departments at Western (1996-2000) and Dalhousie Universities (2004-2017) and later Senior Medical Director of the Provincial Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Program in Nova Scotia.
He and Jackelyn retired to Bayfield, Ontario in 2019, where Godfrey became immersed in village life, serving as Secretary of the Bayfield Historical Society and Warden of Trinity St. James Anglican Church. He approached his death with equanimity, secure in the love of his family and his deeply rooted Anglo-Catholic faith.
John Kaufmann
Dr. John C.E. Kaufmann
1924 – February 2, 2013
Professor Emeritus University of Western Ontario - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Kaufmann, aged 88, due to respiratory failure on Saturday February 2, 2013 at University Hospital, London, Ontario. John was much admired and deeply loved by his children Michele, Carol, and Pierre, his grandchildren Claudia, Martin, Thandi, Jenna, Kaila, and Justine, his five great grandchildren, his sister Marguerite, and niece and nephews Jean, Julienne, and Marcus. Predeceased in 2010 by his beloved wife Suzanne, John will be deeply missed by all who shared his humour, self-discipline, inquiring mind, and attentiveness. John was born in Umtata, South Africa in 1924 and graduated from the University of Cape Town where he studied medicine and specialized in Neuropathology. John immigrated to Canada in the early 1970’s when he joined the neuroscience medical team at the University of Western Ontario. A private family cremation took place at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London.
The family wishes to acknowledge the tender and loving care provided by his caregivers Juliana and Jetty, and the
staff at University Hospital.
Samuel Ludwin
Dr. Samuel Ludwin
October 16, 1944 – January 21, 2020
Dr. Samuel Ludwin went to medical school at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, and followed this with residency and fellowship training in Pathology and Neuropathology at Stanford University. He moved to Queen’s University Canada in 1975 and spent a sabbatical year as a Visiting Scientist at the National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke, at the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland. He served as Chair of Pathology at the University of Western Ontario from 1992-1993. In September 2010 he became a Professor Emeritus and Adjunct Professor of Pathology and Molecular Medicine (Neuropathology) at Queens and a Visiting Scientist at the Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill. From 2002-2006 he held the positions of Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University and Vice-President (Research Development) Kingston General and Hotel Dieu Hospitals.
His clinical practice and teaching covered Neuropathology and his research centred on mechanisms of remyelination and demyelination, and oligodendrocyte and astrocyte behaviour in relationship to Multiple Sclerosis, as well as on clinical and experimental studies on the pathology of MS.
He was a Past-President of both the International Society of Neuropathology and of the Canadian Association of Neuropathologists.
Dr. Ludwin had been associated with the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada for about 35 years, and was a Past-Chair of the Medical Advisory Board of the MSS Canada. He was on the Research Development Committee of the National MS Society of the US, and the MAB of the International Federation of MS Societies. He was on the Board of Directors and the Executive of ACTRIMS (Americas Committee for Research and Training in MS), and was on the teaching committee of ECTRIMS.
Dr. Ludwin was a founding member of the Myelin Project, and was a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Myelin Repair Foundation out of San Francisco.
Victor Prabhakaran
Dr. Varagur "Victor" Mohan Prabhakaran
1943 – August 26, 2022
Passed peacefully in his sleep at Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care on Friday, August 26th, 2022 in his 79th year. Victor, as he was fondly known, was the beloved husband of Fazeila (Husain) for over 51 years. Loving father of Sarah, cherished brother of Dr. V.M. Venkatesan (Dr. Bogeswari Venkatesan) and V.M. Viswanathan (Ananthi Viswanathan) of India, a loving uncle to many of his nieces and nephews, and loved by his in-laws.
Victor showed signs of academic brilliance in medical school and then pursued his postgraduate education in the UK. His academic career in medicine spanned over 50 years, initially at Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he spent 17 years and reached the pinnacle as the Professor and Head of the Dept. of Biochemistry. He moved to the University of Western Ontario in London, ON, to continue his stellar work, and retired as a full-time Professor and Head of the Dept. of Biochemistry. Following his retirement in 2019, he was conferred the title Professor Emeritus by Western University.
Victor’s contributions to his field are widely acknowledged and respected. His passionate teaching of the principles of Biochemistry to under and postgraduate students was deeply appreciated.
Victor was an avid golfer and a fan of the sport, and also enjoyed badminton. A gentleman with a wide range of interests, he read books voraciously on topics ranging from philosophy, spirituality, medical sciences and nutrition. His keen sense of humour was enjoyed by his family and friends. Even though Victor was a man with many accomplishments, he considered Fazetia and Sarah his most cherished accomplishment of all.
Victor’s legacy, that of being a great husband, father, friend and a professor, will live on in those who had the pleasure and privilege of knowing him.
The family wishes to thank all the staff at Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care for their compassionate care, all the physicians who provided clinical care, and friends who supported Victor during his stay at Mount Hope.
Dr. Prabhakaran joined Western University in 1999 and held concurrent clinical leadership roles at both London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care as medical/division leader in Biochemistry. Dr. Prabhakaran was a devoted teacher to Anatomical Pathology residents and also lectured in the Undergraduate Medical Education and the Bachelor of Medical Sciences Programs. When he retired in 2015, he was conferred the title of Professor Emeritus.
Dr. Prabhakaran was also a proud Western alumnus, completing his residency postgraduate certification in Medical Biochemistry in 1981 and a further clinical fellowship year in 1982.
