DR. JAMES DESMOND MCDOWELL

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

DR. JAMES DESMOND (DES) MCDOWELL November 8, 1925 - January 4, 2016 In the early morning hours of January 4, 2016 our beloved husband, dad and grandfather Des McDowell peacefully passed into the presence of his Lord and Saviour, at the Grace General Hospital where he had spent so many years of his career caring for others. He leaves to mourn his beloved wife of 60 years Janet; children, Tim (Pat), Jackie (Rob), Paul (Jackie) and Chris (Belinda); as well as grandchildren, Alistair (Minoo), Gillian (Eoghan), Sarah, Danielle and Nicholas; and extended family. He is also survived by his younger brother Norman (Kay), and was predeceased by his sister Beth, and his parents Robert and Mary. Des was born in the town of Ballymena, Northern Ireland and early in life knew he did not want to follow in the family shoe business. He studied medicine at Queen's University, Belfast. After positions in both Northern Ireland and England, Des continued his Internal Medicine training in Cleveland, Ohio for two years. He returned to England in 1952 working at the Bradford Royal Infirmary, and then in Leeds. In 1954, Des accepted a position at The Winnipeg Clinic where he served as a respected physician for over 50 years. Eighteen months after his arrival, Janet sailed from England to join him, and they were married on December 17, 1955. Des specialized in Cardiology and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 1955 and later earned fellowships in the American Colleges of Physicians and Cardiology. He was a long-time member of the Christian Medical and Dental Society. He was a staff physician at The Health Sciences Centre from 1954-1987 and an Assistant Professor at The University of Manitoba Medical School. In 1964 he became a staff physician at Grace General Hospital and was Chief of Medicine for 20 years. He was one of the founders of the Intensive Care Unit and served as its Clinical Director from 1967-1996. Des was also involved in medical research throughout his career, usually as Principal Investigator. Throughout his life, Des maintained a strong Christian faith which was a source of great strength and comfort to him. He served as a teacher and elder at St. James Gospel Chapel for many years, and later attended Charleswood Community Church. He loved to teach from the Bible and many have benefited from his mentorship. Des loved to travel, read books and had an extensive home library. He was a keen photographer and especially loved taking pictures of the beautiful sunrises and sunsets at our family cottage in Lake of the Woods. He loved spending time there, puttering with his tools, reading spy novels in his hammock overlooking the lake, and visiting with family and friends. He was a wonderful and generous father and grandfather; a devoted and loving husband. He was a kind and soft spoken man, a true gentleman. He will be missed. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the kind and caring staff at Golden West Centennial Lodge where Des spent the last year of his life. He recently celebrated his 90th birthday, and was delighted that he was able to reconnect with many old friends and colleagues at a reception in his honour. Our family would also like to express deep appreciation for the respectful and compassionate care he received from the staff in the ER, and the 5th Floor of the Grace, and a special thanks to Dr. Ron George for his kindness and professionalism. If friends so desire, memorial donations to Doctors Without Borders, 720 Spadina Ave. Suite 402, Toronto, ON. M5S 2T9 or to the Grace Hospital Foundation 300 Booth Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3J 3M7 would be appreciated. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Charleswood Community Church, 760 Charleswood Road. Condolences may be left at: www.ronaldmoffitmemorialservices.com /obituaries/condolences. Arrangements entrusted to RONALD MOFFIT MEMORIAL SERVICES, Portage la Prairie, MB. (204) 856-3487.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 09, 2016