DR. JALAL SHAMSIE

(1930 – 2025) It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Jalal Shamsie on July 29, 2025, at the age of 95. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, psychiatrist, professor, and storyteller, he lived a life filled with purpose and love. Jalal was married to his cherished wife, Aline, for 65 years. Theirs was a deep and enduring love that bridged countries, cultures and backgrounds. Together, they built a warm and welcoming home, not only for their daughters, Yasmine (Tom), and Amina (David); and grandchildren, Yannick (Trisha) and Maya; but also for many nieces, nephews, and visiting relatives who were embraced as part of the family over the decades. A pioneer in the field of adolescent psychiatry, Jalal dedicated his professional life to improving the mental health and well-being of young people. He was a prolific writer and speaker, authoring numerous publications and passionately advocating for accessible, evidence-based treatment. He organized and presented at a wide range of conferences and workshops, and contributed his expertise as a board member for community organizations. Early in his career, he founded Canada's first residential treatment centre for adolescents with behavioural problems while serving as Chief of Children's Services at the Douglas Hospital in Montreal. A strong advocate for better coordination among youth services, he also established the family clinic at the Montreal Social Welfare Court and organized psychiatric counselling services for the Montreal Protestant School Board. After moving to Ottawa, he became Director of Children's Services at the Royal Ottawa Hospital. He later relocated to Toronto, where he served as Clinical Director and Psychiatrist-in-Chief at the Thistletown Regional Centre. As a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, he founded Youth Update - an innovative initiative that translated complex psychiatric research into clear, practical insights for front-line workers supporting adolescents. He also established the Institute for the Study of Antisocial and Violent Behaviour in Youth (IAVY) with funding from the Ministry of Community and Social Services. Outside of his professional life, Jalal found joy in walking - a passion that evolved into golf in his middle years and later became his daily ritual, whether through the ravines of Toronto, the hallways of his building in winter, or the sidewalks of his neighbourhood. He loved literature, poetry, movies and had a keen interest in politics. Jalal and Aline shared a love of travel, journeying together across the world - from Russia to China, Jordan, India, Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, and especially Santa Barbara, where they spent many winters escaping the cold and forming lasting friendships. Jalal, always cold, was known to bundle up indoors with a winter coat and hat in his later years. He was bright, caring and a wonderful listener who provided calm guidance and support to friends and family. He was a captivating storyteller who loved to share memories as well as engage in rousing discussions about anything from politics to literature to social norms. He had a wonderful sense of humour, a passion for learning and was always keen to keep up with the newest trends. To his daughters, walking and talking with him was one of life's greatest comforts. Jalal lived a full, meaningful life filled with family, intellectual pursuits and human connection. He touched the lives of so many and will be very deeply missed.