KRISTIAN MACMAHON

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KRISTIAN MACMAHON

November 29, 1981 - August 31, 2024

It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of Kristian, who passed away on August 31, 2024, five years after his diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer. He is survived by his wife Andrea Dolan, his children Benjamin, Claire and Luke, his parents Maarit and Ross, and siblings Anna Maria, Nicholas (Alexis) and Katja (Tom). He will also be greatly missed by his brothers-in-law Derek (Vanessa) and Sebastien (Marissa), his sister-in-law Emilie (David), his nieces Charlotte and Celeste, and nephews Myles, Elliott and Samuel, as well as family in Ireland, Finland and England, and countless friends across Canada. Special mention is given to Andrea's parents, Rick and Marie Dolan, who stood by him steadfastly through his illness.

Kris attended St Paul's High School, Winnipeg, graduating in 1999. He excelled at both academics and sports. He represented the school in volleyball, rugby and golf. Kris was a member of the St Paul's golf team that won the Provincial Championship, and he continued playing golf for the University of Manitoba. Golf remained a great passion for him throughout his life and he had a single digit handicap. He played hockey recreationally and was an avid fan of the Montreal Canadiens. Kris and Andrea met in the residents' lounge at St Mary's Hospital, Montreal, while a Habs game was being televised. They immediately bonded over their mutual love of hockey and medicine.



Kris obtained his medical degree from the University of Manitoba, completed his residency in Family Medicine in Newfoundland, followed by a fellowship in Emergency Medicine at McGill University. He worked in the Emergency Department of the Lakeshore General Hospital and was the Chief of their Short Stay Unit. He subsequently worked in the Emergency Department of Cornwall Community Hospital. He later worked at Maimonides Geriatric Center where he became the Medical Director. Kris was a knowledgeable, compassionate and responsible physician. His love of the practice of medicine and its many challenges, his appreciation of his co-workers and his enjoyment of the collegial aspect of his work defined his workday. Despite receiving intensive medical care, Kris continued to practice medicine well into his illness. While he found meaning in his work, his patients and colleagues were the recipients of his continued commitment. His desire to genuinely know the people who crossed his path was obvious to all. He wanted to know their story and he truly cared. These latter qualities characterized his life up until the very end and were exemplified by his relationship with the exceptional nursing staff on D9 at the McGill University Health Center.

Kris was above all a family man who liked nothing more than spending time with Andrea and the children. Their vacations to Lac Sergent, Lake Placid, and Florida have made a spectacular fabric of family memories. During the cold winters, Kris would spend hours building an outdoor skating rink for his children where he taught them to skate and play hockey. In the warmer months, he loved to take his children to the Lac Sergent golf course where he shared with them his love for the game. Kris was a voracious reader, and he relished snuggling up with the kids and a book.

Kris loved his poker nights with his many friends, enjoyed sharing his appreciation for craft beer, and found great pleasure in listening to his vast collection of classical music and mellow jazz. He had an impressive intellectual curiosity. His knowledge of sports was extraordinary, and he also loved to experiment in the kitchen. He was proud of his famous Irish soda bread and claimed to be an expert on how to make the perfect cup of tea (preferably Barry's Irish tea), to go along with his favourite chocolate bar, a Big Turk. Kris loved getting together with his extended family and friends. His wonderful deep laugh could be heard resonating at all parties. The depth of his many friendships filled his hospital room with warmth and love.

Kris was very proud of his Irish and Finnish roots. He frequently talked about the summer he spent working on a golf course in Ireland and returning there to work as a medical student. His time spent with his grandparents in Connemara, Ireland and Taivassalo, Finland held a special place in his heart.

Kris will be remembered for his strength of character, integrity, and loving spirit. He bore his illness without complaint or bitterness, determined to live as long as possible, despite constant suffering, for the moments of joy that he still cherished with his family and friends.

His family is extremely grateful for the care provided by the medical and nursing staff of D9 of MUHC, Dr. Prosanto Chaudhury and his team, the ICU staff, Interventional Radiology, Dr. Errol Marliss and the TPN team, outpatient oncology, as well as the daily prayers for him at St Paul's High School.



Visitation will take place on Friday, September 13, at the Mount Royal Funeral Complex at 1297 Chemin de la Forêt, Outremont, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. The funeral will take place on Saturday, September 14, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church at 4455 West Broadway, Montreal. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favourite charity.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 07, 2024, Sep 07, 2024