Victor SHARPE

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SHARPE: Victor Joseph Houston Sharpe, M.D., of Brandon, died peacefully on July 5, 2009 at Fairview Home, where he had lived since February 2008. Our father was born on December 18, 1918 in Brandon, Manitoba to Agnes (Houston) and Herbert Sharpe. His early schooling was at Park School, Earl Oxford School and Brandon Collegiate Institute. He went on to Brandon College for a Bachelor of Arts degree (1940), then to University of Manitoba for a degree in Medicine. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, serving most of his time at Camp Borden, near Barrie, Ontario. Victor met the love of his life, Phyllis Shannon in Barrie in 1945. They were married on July 5, 1947, had three children and celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2007. In 1946, Victor joined his father in medical practice at the Bigelow Clinic in Brandon. In 1952, the family lived in Toronto while Victor did a residency in Internal Medicine at Sunnybrook Hospital. They returned to Brandon where Vic rejoined the Bigelow Clinic. Throughout his life, Vic enjoyed playing piano, swimming, canoeing, golfing, hiking, fishing, duck and upland game hunting and skiing both downhill and cross country. He served his community as an elder at St. Paul’s United Church, a member of the Kiwanis Club, a participant in building a lodge at Glenorky with the Brandon Ski Club. He taught his children the joys of being outdoors and discovering new places. In the 1960’s he sought further specialist training in Nuclear Medicine. He then instigated the establishment of the Nuclear Medicine Department at the Brandon General Hospital. He was the Director of that department until his retirement. He also served a term as Head of the Intensive Care Unit. After retirement, which occurred in stages beginning in 1989, he helped to establish a recycling program for the City of Brandon and for several years he went back to Brandon University, taking one course at a time. His interests included astronomy, geography, hydrology and music. He was President of the Brandon University Alumni Association and received a Brandon University Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award, plus that association’s Order of the Sheaf. The Government of Manitoba honoured him in 1990 with the Order of the Buffalo Hunt. In 2003, Brandon University bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree on Dr. Sharpe. Victor’s only sister, Peggy Agnes Sharpe, died in 2005. He is survived by his wife Phyllis, Brandon; daughter Jill, Calgary; son Paul (Helen MacGregor), Kemptville, Ontario and son Ian (Heather McCoy), Smithers, B.C. Surviving grandchildren include Colin, Frances, Paul, Robert and Thomas. The family wants to thank the staff of Fairview for their professional, loving care of Victor. The memorial service will be held at Central United Church, 327-8th Street, on Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Laird Russell-Yearwood officiating. The funeral reception will take place at the Central United Church Auditorium followed by a private family interment at the Brandon Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation, “Western Manitoba Cancer Care Project,” 150 McTavish Ave. East, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 2B3. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jul 07, 2009