Dr. John Carter CALLAGHAN M.D.

CALLAGHAN, Dr. John Carter OC, AOE, MD, MS, FRCSC, FACS, FACC
While residing in his beloved Muskoka, Dr. John Callaghan entered into rest on April 6th 2004 in his 81st year. Dr. Callaghan, was a pioneer in Cardiovascular Surgery and distinguished member of the medical profession. He was an outstanding humanitarian revered by everyone fortunate enough to have known him. After receiving his medical degree from the U. of T. in 1946, he spent 2 years as Medical Officer for the Department of Indian Eskimo Affairs at Aklavik, NWT. During 1949 - 1950 he co- developed the cardiac pacemaker, a device that has restored the rhythm of the slow or uneven heartbeat of millions of people all around the world. In 1956 he performed the first open-heart surgery in Canada and the first complete repair of the blue baby malformation. He remained the head of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery until 1986, then continued for several years as Clinical Professor and in active surgical practice until the 1990's. He is the recipient of many honours including the Lister Prize in Surgery and the Reeve Prize in Surgical Research from the University of Toronto 1949-50; the Alberta Achievement Award for excellence in medical research from the Government of Alberta 1983; Citizen of the Year, City of Edmonton 1984; Honorary Chairman, Alberta Heart Foundation 1983; Distinguished Scientist Award, North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology 1985; Officer of the Order of Canada 1985, Alberta Order of Excellence in 1986, The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Gold Medal for 2002, The Dr. John C. Callaghan Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit at the University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton - dedicated September 20, 1996, AGT Distinguished Albertan Award, 1994, 125 Year Medal, Government of Canada, 1992, Haultain Award, Government of Alberta, 1991.

A continuous quest for knowledge and a desire to provide guidance made him both a mentor and an inspiration to all who knew him.

To be a man of vision and humour is a great way to be remembered in life.

'I am a part of all that I have met' -Tennyson: Ulysses
Dr. Callaghan leaves behind his loving wife Gracey, daughters Barb Callaghan, Carol Callaghan, Debby (Rod) Phillips, Margot (Michael) Hajduk; sons John and Jim Callaghan, Nancy (Dwayne) Hippe and family, Wayne and Brian Anness and Shayne Trylinski. Also grandchildren Allison (Russell) Vasseur, , Stephen (Nancy) Hamilton, Erin Hamilton; Kelti, Torah and Casey Kachur; Quinn and Devin Phillips; Joseph, Natasha and Justin Hajduk, Brandy (Corey) Hegseth, Sherry and Summer Hippe and great granddaughters Samantha Hamilton, Jayden Hippe, and Abbey Hegseth. Predeceased by his brother Stewart Callaghan, sister Eleanor Lees and survived by sisters Evelyn McAdam and Jane Edwards.

In his honour, there will be a gathering of friends and family at Rocky Point, Bala, Muskoka, Ontario on Saturday April 24th, 2004 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

There will also be a gathering in Edmonton for family, friends, colleagues and others whose lives he touched on Saturday May 15th, 2004 at the Bernard Snell Hall, University of Alberta Hospital from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

The family requests remembrances to be forwarded to The Heart and Stroke Foundation and The Canadian Cancer Society.