DR. PETER NEELANDS

Dr. Peter Judson Neelands, M.D., F.R.C.P., pediatrician and long-time resident of Thunder Bay and Neebing, Ontario, passed away on October 6, 2025 at age 94.

Peter was born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, on May 16, 1931 to Dr. Ralph James Neelands and Beatrice Lillian Campbell. His father was a surgeon who served in both world wars, and his mother was a musically-gifted English major. Both had financed their education by teaching, and through their example he learned to value education, hard work and service to others.

Peter obtained his M.D. from the University of Toronto in 1955. It was there that he met Marguerite, a dental student, across the table at bridge. They married in 1956. After specializing in pediatrics in Cleveland, Ohio, and obtaining further training in Winnipeg, he accepted a position at the Fort William Clinic in 1964. By this point, he and Marguerite had welcomed three children: Janice (1958), Alison (1961), and Ralph (1964). He eventually built a successful private practice in pediatrics, at first solo, and later in partnership with Dr. Vincent DeSa. He also served as Physician-in-Charge at the Centre for the Developmentally Challenged at Hogarth-Westmount Hospital, and medical director at the George Jeffrey Children's Treatment Centre. In "retirement" he thoroughly enjoyed his new position as coroner, and would have continued working past age 70, were it not for government-mandated retirement.

He took on many leadership roles related to the profession. He was the Chief of Pediatrics at McKellar, Port Arthur, and St. Joseph's General Hospitals, a board member of the local Children's Aid Society for 15 years, including President from 1980-82, and an appointee to many government commissions. Throughout his long career, he also served in various capacities on numerous committees and councils of the Ontario Medical Association, The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the Canadian Medical Association.

He was particularly proud of his role as chairman of the Northwestern Ontario Medical Program (NOMP), which paired McMaster medical residents with mentors in underserviced northern communities. Many of those residents returned and practised as doctors in the region.

Peter was passionate about politics, both provincial and federal. Among other roles, he served as campaign chair for Thunder Bay PC candidates such as Lionel Hastings, Jim Jessiman, Ken Moffatt, and Mickey Hennessy. When an election was called, Dad disappeared for weeks, spending long evenings at campaign headquarters working to get the vote out. The Tory rarely won, but "next time will be different!"

As a child, Peter spent summers at the family cottage on Lake Sesekinika, near Kirkland Lake, where he learned to appreciate the beauty of the northern forest, a love that continued throughout his life. In Thunder Bay, he enjoyed many happy hours at his off-grid log cabin and tree farm near Kakabeka, fishing, walking the trails, and planting hundreds of trees.

Each summer in the 1970s, tent-trailer in tow, the family set out for a new destination. His children are forever grateful for his insistence on taking the family to all the provinces of Canada, despite the insanely high-mileage days!

Peter inherited a love of music from his mother. From the late 1960s until his eyesight failed him, he played piano with a local Dixieland band, The Bottom of the Barrel. Band practices, parties and gigs were a big feature of his social calendar, along with coffee at the Columbia Grill, and yet more coffee with his good neighbours at Mink Bay. In retirement he curled with the Ezduzit League, and enjoyed the fellowship of the Gyro Club. Peter also managed to work his way through an impressive stack of thrillers and spy novels each week.

Dad will always be remembered for his generosity to his family and to his community.

Dad will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by children Janice (Greg Danylchenko) of Ottawa, Alison (François Larouche) of Montreal, and Ralph (Susan Kemp) of Toronto; grandchildren Julie Larouche (Sébastien Paquette) of Saint-Bruno and Steven Larouche (Jennifer Dunphy) of Granby; great-granddaughters Charlotte and Laurence Paquette, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Marguerite Elisabeth Smith (2014), sisters Anne Gilbert and Nora Caldbick, and his nephew Alexander Caldbick.

The Neelands family would like to thank the staff at both Pioneer Ridge and Chartwell Glacier Ridge for the care and compassion they showed Dad in the years he lived there.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on October 31 at Sargent & Son Funeral Chapel, 21 N. Court St., Thunder Bay Ontario, at 11 am, preceded by visitation at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, Magnus Theatre, or the Thunder Bay Public Library. Online condolences may be posted at sargentandson.com. Private condolences may be e-mailed to mink170@gmail.com.