John Peter WHITELAW

The family of Dr. John Peter Whitelaw is deeply saddened to announce his passing, after a valiant six and a half year battle with cancer. His passing has left an enormous hole in the hearts and lives of his loved ones. He was predeceased by his parents, prominent Vancouver physician Dr. D. Mackay Whitelaw and Jean Agnes Whitelaw. John is survived by his loving wife, Christine; his daughter, Andrea Benton (Brent); son, Evan Whitelaw; stepchildren, Angelina McNamee (Michael), Thomas McNamee (Chris) and Sylvia McNamee (Joe); as well as grandchildren, Parker and Nathan Benton, Grace McNamee and RoRo Lin. Elder brother, William A. Whitelaw, predeceased him a mere week earlier, on July 7, 2024. John leaves behind Bill's children Peter Whitelaw (Helen) and John D. Whitelaw (Tracie), and their children, Emily and Claire; as well as his younger brother, Bruce Whitelaw (Tywana) and their daughter, Keely (Greg). After graduating in Honours Chemistry from UBC, John studied medicine at McGill, followed by a mixed internship and Pathology residency at Queen's University and at UBC. His distinguished career in General Pathology culminated in his becoming site Chief of Laboratories and Chief Pathologist for the Vancouver Island Health Authority at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. Following his retirement in 2008, he did locums on Vancouver Island, in Calgary, and in Auckland, NZ. In association with the International Health Program of University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine, John did volunteer work in Vientiane, Laos, helping to improve and equip their hospital's Pathology services. His professional activities included terms as President of the Medical Staff and Chief of Staff at NRGH, and President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC. He served on Advisory Committees for the College, the BC Medical Association and the Provincial Ministry of Health. John was immensely gifted in so many different ways – consultant to his physician colleagues, musician, professional photographer, author, woodworker, boat builder, philanthropist, storyteller. But most of all, he was admired for his humanity and humour. He enriched the lives of those who were privileged to know him. John's unique and complex character was framed by unquenchable curiosity, dissatisfaction with the status quo and a passion to make things better. His character was hewed by his family, varied life experiences and medicine. His gaze commanded respect, whether on the squash court, under sail or on a walk. A consummate physician and pathologist, he exhibited an unusual depth of feeling and insight into the human condition. His search for solutions to the mysteries of human afflictions was exercised with creativity, sensitivity and integrity. Beyond medicine, John's formidable talents were elegantly expressed through the grand piano, wood carving, boat building, writing and photography. These renaissance-like wanderings delighted his family and friends, but were always understated with self-deprecating humour. He faced the final decline in his health with equanimity, humour and courage. Special thanks are due to Dr. Robin Love, Dr. Paul Armstrong, Dr. Lawrence Winkler, and Dr. Sunelle Fawell, as well as to the caring staff of Ally Home Care, and the community Palliative Care team, all of whom made it possible for John to be cared for to the end in the home he loved, with the wife he cherished by his side. A Celebration of Life will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at St. Andrew's United Church, 315 Fitzwilliam St., Nanaimo. There will also be a Funeral Mass held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 301 Machleary St., Nanaimo. If you wish to do so, donations may be made, in lieu of flowers, to the Vancouver Island Symphony, the Cancer Clinic at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital or to the Charity of Your Choice in John's memory.