John BENEDET Obituary
The family of J. Lawrence (Lou) Benedet, MD, FRCS(C) sadly announces his passing on March 1, 2017 at the age of 75 after a long period of ill health. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years Linda (nee Bailey) and children Janine (Trevor Shaw) of North Vancouver, Lyn (Kevin Lambert) of Waterloo and John of Phoenix. He was a proud nonno to Theo, Lucie, Genny and Annette. Also survived by his sister Arme Bernhardt of Idaho. Predeceased by his parents John and Norina and his sister Loretta.
Lou was born August 4, 1941 in Trail, BC, moving with his family to East Vancouver in 1943. He was proud to call the Vancouver area home his entire life. He attended Our Lady of Sorrows and Notre Dame High Schools, graduating from Vancouver Technical in order to complete his advanced science courses. He went on to UBC where he graduated with his medical degree in 1966. After specialized training in England and California, he began an accomplished career in Gynaecological Oncology as a Professor at the UBC Faculty of Medicine, and a provincial director at the BC Cancer Agency. His work made major contributions to the fight against cervical cancer, and he was invited to many countries around the world to assist in setting up screening programs. As an author of over 100 scientific articles and a skilled cancer surgeon, his contributions to the health of his patients and to women's health worldwide were immeasurable. He earned much recognition over his career, but he was perhaps proudest of his award as Italian of the Year by the BC Confratellanza Italo- Canadese in 1997. He was a reluctant retiree, lamenting that recent discoveries in his field meant he "was stopping just when things were getting interesting." He believed in hard work and took great pride in his children's and grandchildren's accomplishments.
The family would like to thank his devoted caregiver Ellen Santos and the dedicated staff of Villa Carital for their excellent care and compassion.
Visitation at Bell & Burnaby Funeral Home, 4276 Hastings Street, Burnaby, BC, on Wednesday, March 8 from 6-8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Friday March 10, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 525 Slocan Street, Vancouver, BC. Private family entombment at Ocean View. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Scleroderma Association of BC Research Fund in memory of his sister Loretta would be appreciated. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.bellburnaby.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
23 Entries
Mo Manji
February 27, 2019
Lou will never be forgotten. We, his colleagues, still continue his mentor-ship, his teaching. We sure miss him, and David Boyes and Mike Tirko.
Mary Aballini
February 26, 2019
Hello Linda & Benedet Family: I remember John one time when he told me he said to a gentleman who stopped by your place and asked if the owners were home and he said I'M just the Gardner here!
I thought that was soooo funny! Take good care all of you Mat, Mary & Boys of the Aballini family.
Erminia Zambon (Bertoia)
April 7, 2017
Our sincere condolences to you Linda, Janine, Lynn and John and the rest of the family. All our love to everyone from your French family.
Erminia and family
Andrea Nicholson
March 31, 2017
My sincere condolences to the family at this most difficult time. Dr. Benedet was my Doctor from when he and Dr. Turko worked together through to his retirement. The dedicated work Dr. Benedet did was amazing and the current team can thank him for the start he and his team gave to Gynecological Oncology. His sincere commitment to his patients was outstanding. He was always approachable and never lost his compassion and ability to take that extra time for his patients at a personal level, no matter how busy that department became. Always remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Dorothy Shaw
March 15, 2017
Dear Linda and family
I am so sorry for your loss. I only just now learned of Lou's passing two weeks ago and sincerely regret I was unaware in time to see you in person at the service on March 10th. I knew Lou had been unwell for some time.
I remember evenings in your home studying for my Royal College exams and when we were all in Banff together when John was a baby. You were both so kind to me and Lou was a wonderful mentor and surgeon, with his own sense of humour. He taught me more than the technical skills of our specialty. We had fun with Mike Turko and David Boyes and many others - fun is important when you work in the field of cancer. Lou cared greatly about his patients and was loyal to the people he worked with. Lou was so proud of his family and watching his children grow to be successful in their own right and I am sure that would have been a comfort to him as his health failed. Family was always a priority for him.
My heart goes out to you at this difficult time.
With sincere condolences
Corinne and Christine De Biasio
March 13, 2017
Hi there Linda, Janine, Lynn and John and the rest of the family. Christine and I just wanted to send our condolences on Lou's passing. I know he had a challenging last few years. Your dedication to him Linda was amazing. Neither of us will ever forget him. I was glad that I bumped into you Linda at the hospital and had a nice little visit in December. He certainly had not lost his sense of humour. We are sorry we had to miss the service due to work. All our love to everyone. Corinne and Christine De Biasio.
Sara Young
March 9, 2017
Dear Benedet Family
I met Dr Benedet 25 years ago when at the age of 31 I received a phone call from the Doctor early one morning who said "I have very bad news, can you please come to my office now" My husband and I jumped into the car and drove to New West to see him. He broke the news and said "you have to go downtown, you're going to see Lou". My husband and I looked at each other... it is going to be OK, we are going to see LOU! (Huh?) Everything moved at light speed.
We met "Dr Lou" the night before the big surgery and for the following 2 weeks I was at VGH he came to see me everyday, sometimes twice a day. That was the beginning of a long relationship with the cancer clinic. The weekly, monthly and finally, the annual visits to see Dr Lou, as he was to us. I have never forgotten his words to me on that first followup visit to the clinic. "Sara, you gotta get happy" I listened to my doctors advice, embracing it. He not only took care of my physical being during that terrible time, he took care of my spirit. I left my appointments feeling good, healthy and happy. It was not to be the end for me, just yet. I have never forgotten his forthright way of speaking and his kindness. He has a special place in my heart. I am so sorry for your loss, everyone's loss.
Sara Y
John Benedet
March 8, 2017
Hello Benedet Family:
Our thoughts and Prayers are with you.
I am sure you have many pleasant memories of Lou and that will be with you always.
Mat Mary Dean & Roger Aballini
Lorraine Faris
March 8, 2017
Dear Linda and family,
So sorry to hear about Dr. Benedet's passing. I have many fond memories of my years at Gyne Oncology. I will always remember our impromptu chats.
Randall Fairey
March 8, 2017
Dear Linda and family;
I remember Lou as a true gentlemen and one of the remarkable colleagues that I encountered in my oncology career. I learned so much from him and feel honoured to have known him and participated along with Drs. David Boyes, Joan Murphy, Ken Swenerton, David Allen, Dianne Miller, Mike Turko and Ann Worth in so much important Gynecological Oncology work at the BC Cancer Agency. He had a wonderful wry sense of humour and an admirable intolerance for petty faculty politics. His competence as a teacher and surgeon and his kind, understated treatment of his patients saved many lives and furthered the well being of many women in BC and beyond. As a colleague he was invaluable, and so personable; Lynn and I extend our sincere condolences on your loss. He was so proud of you and his children. I am sorry we lost touch when we moved to Kelowna but he is still greatly missed.
Jennifer Santos
March 8, 2017
I am very sorry to hear of Dr. Benedet's passing. I had the privilege of working with him at VGH on the ward and then in the Colposcopy clinic. He was a wonderful teacher and will be missed. Sending my deepest condolences to his family.
Lesley Reynolds
March 8, 2017
I was very saddened to hear of Dr. Benedet's passing. I had the honour and pleasure of working for him for many years in Gyne Oncology. He was a very kind man and I have very fond memories of him. My deepest condolences to Linda and family.
Laurie Elit
March 8, 2017
Dear Linda and Family,
I am sorry to hear about your loss.
Dr. Benedet was my first access into the world of gynecologic oncology. I still remember him sitting at my right side as I did my first cone biopsies. He was instrumental in getting me a fellowship in Philadelphia. He offered a unique way of thinking about gyne cancers and precancers during that time.
I'm privileged to have known him.
Laurie
Mo Manji
Mo Manji
March 7, 2017
Dear Linda and family
Ann and I are very sad to hear the passing of Lou. He was a great colleauge , mentor and friend.
Our prayers are with you all and we pray for his soul.
Ann & Mo Manji
Kaniza Ishmail
March 7, 2017
Very sorry to hear about Dr. Benedet. I first met him in 1981 in Pathology at BCCA (then CCABC) when he came to get his colposcopy reports. I was fortunate to join the Gyne Oncology team and continued to work with him. My deepest condolences to Linda and family. He will be missed.
Monique Bertrand
March 6, 2017
Linda and Family,
I was very saddened to learn of Lou's passing. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
I was very fortunate to have known Lou, first as a great mentor, then as a valued colleague and friend. I will always value his wise council and our long discussions especially about how to improve screening for cancer of the cervix in women. As you know, this was an area of research for which he was very passionate. He contributed immensely to this field as noted by his extensive publications. He will be remembered and missed.
Monique, Frank and Roxanne
paul and teresa hoskins
March 6, 2017
lou was a great mentor and friend to me and my family. Some of our fondest memories are being abroad with him in Budapest and on a Canadian delegation to Italy.
John and Sonja Carino
March 5, 2017
Dear Linda; We're very sorry to hear of Lawrence's passing. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family.
March 5, 2017
Dear Linda, We wish to add our condolences on the sad news of Lou's passing to you and your family. During the seventies and eighties we had the privilege of time spent with you both when Jon was working at the Cancer Institute and Vancouver General. Lou was a much admired doctor during those valuable early years in the department plus the social evenings spent at Dave Boyes' dinners. Much treasured memories. Sincerely Jon and Di Cope
Denny De Petrillo
March 5, 2017
I am proud to have had Lou as a friend and colleague for over 45 years. His obituary is indicative of the man, a loving person to 'la famiglia' and one dedicated to care of women with gynecologic cancer from prevention,treatment and support. His published articles reflected his knowledge of his specialty and his insistence on quality in educating students, residents and fellows was a continuing goal.
He was not a man of many words, but his humour and 'tell it as it is' style remained throughout the years despite failing health for some time. Our condolences to Linda and the family.Memories of him will remain strong.
Denny De Petrillo and family.
Kelly Engleson
March 4, 2017
Dear Linda, Janine, Lyn and John, and families.
I am so sorry to hear that Lou has passed away. My heart goes out to all of you. Lou was a wonderful life time friend to our family. I will always remember the long talks with Lou over the fence and downstairs in Poppa's radio room. My hope is you all find peace during this difficult time. My family sends their love to you.
Kelly, Ron, Ashley, Derek, and Chad Engleson
March 4, 2017
Dear Linda and family.We are so very sorry for the loss of your beloved Lou,father and grandfather.We will always remember him for the great person he was. Sincerely Alice and family.
Arnie & Annette Nelson
March 4, 2017
Linda and family, so sorry to learn of 'Lou's' passing. We wish you peace and courage to help you through this time. May Lou rest in peace. Our heartfelt sympathy and love,
Annette (Brajcich) Nelson
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4276 Hastings Street, Burnaby, BC V5C 2J6
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