John Staton SPEAKMAN

JOHN STATON SPEAKMAN C.M., M.D., FRCS(C) Passed away peacefully on May 13, 2018. John was born in Toronto, the eldest son of the late Horace and Mary Speakman; loving husband for 65 years of Betty; devoted father of Jane (Stephen), David, Nicola (David), Jennifer (David) and Heather (Neil). Cherished grandfather of Joanne, Louise, Andrew, John and Matthew. Predeceased by brother, Peter. John attended Upper Canada College and the University of Toronto, graduating from medical school in 1952. John's early years at Upper Canada instilled in him an interest in natural science which became a passion and a continuous source of pleasure that stayed with John throughout his life. His concern for the natural environment led to a lifetime support of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. In particular, he supported the Conservancy's effort to protect and preserve the Carden Alvar, a unique natural landscape east of Orillia. He was a caring and dedicated ophthalmologist and the source of inspiration to generations of ophthalmologists. He was instrumental in making the Eye Department at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre one of the major teaching units at the University of Toronto. For more than four decades John was at the forefront of providing eye care services in the High Arctic. This exposure to Canada's north had a profound and life-long effect on him. In 2008, John was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada. The appointment recognized John's commitment as an educator and his dedication to the people of Canada's North. John's life, and the life he shared with Betty, was a montage of rich experiences. Their time together at the family cottage on Lake Simcoe, on the tennis courts at The Toronto Lawn Tennis Club and on their bikes in Europe created happy memories. Their many friends, young and old, brought tremendous joy to their lives. John was also an inspiration to his grandchildren. His ability to connect with young children, whether making maple syrup at the cottage, finding a pileated woodpecker in the ravine or counting frogs in the pond, was remarkable. The family wish to thank the staff at Belmont House for their compassionate care of John. Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at Grace Church on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Rd., Toronto, at 2:00 p.m. Flowers gratefully declined.