James G. Stephens

James Glenn Stephens died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on April 17, 2023 at the age of 95. He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Noel E. Stephens (Bette), his son Gregory Russell Stephens, his brother Russell G. Stephens DDS, and his sister Glenna Colwell. He is survived by his sisters Dorothy Higgins, and Isabel Pelloux; his children Jim (Susan), Whitehorse; Susan, Poughkeepsie, NY; David, Bridgeport; and Robert, Kitchener; and will forever be remembered by his grandchildren Jamie Stevenson (Mathieu Saujot), Lyon, France; Kaitlin Stephens, Vancouver; Ted Stephens, (Meghan), Calgary; John Stevenson (Ingrid), Berlin, CT; Burton Stephens (Jenelle) Whitehorse; David Stephens, Calgary; and great-grandchildren, Alexander Saujot and Bodie Stephens.

"Jim" spent his early years in Chesley and at the age of 14, his family moved to London where he attended South Collegiate. Jim graduated from the Western University Medical School in 1952 where he was active in the Alpha Kappa Kappa medical fraternity. While at university, he played football for both the Western Colts (Eastern Canadian Championship) and the Western Mustangs. He also played Junior B hockey for the Woodstock Redwings. Just one week after his graduation, he married Noel "Bette" Costain, his high school sweetheart and moved to Buffalo, NY where he went on to complete his medical internship and surgical residency at the Erie County Medical Center, University of Buffalo. After completing his training, he set up his general surgical practice in Kitchener in 1959. He was a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Ontario Medical Association. He was Board Certified in Surgery in both the US and Canada.

Dr. Stephens had a long and distinguished career in medicine both as a visionary leader and accomplished surgeon. He served as President, Chief of Staff, and Chief of Surgeons at St. Mary's; Chief of Surgery at Grand River Hospital; president of the Academy of Medicine in K-W; Medical Director for the K-W Cancer Society as well as serving on the Waterloo Regional Health Council for six years. He was actively involved in establishing the first intensive care units at both St. Mary's and Grand River as well as the cardiac intensive care unit at St. Mary's. Along with his colleagues, he was instrumental in building the first full-service medical office in Kitchener that included X-ray, laboratory and pharmacy.

Jim was an avid outdoorsman, golfer, sailor, and curler. He was a longtime member of the Westmount Golf and Country Club, the KW Granite Club and Devil's Glen Ski and Country Club as well as a founding member of the Conestoga Sailing Club where he served as the first Commodore. He started the KW Academy of Medicine Curling Bonspiel and was the Chairman of the Ontario Medical Bonspiel for many years. After he lost his eyesight in 2003, Jim joined the blind curling group at the Waterloo Curling Club as the "total" and the lead. He had a successful career as a blind curler winning three Ontario Championships and a Gold medal in the Canadian Vision Impaired Curling Championships in 2012.

Passionate about hunting and fishing, Jim traveled across North America with his personally trained hunting dogs including his well-known German Shorthair Pointer, Champ, and his three Weimaraners: Gretel, Katie, and Scarlet. Through the years he hunted as a member of the Glenforest Hunting Club in Aberfoyle, the Aberdeen Hunt Club ( formerly Krupp Game Farm) and was founding member and President of the Bamburg Game Farm for many years where he was made honorary president for life as recognition for his contribution to the club.

"Doc" as he was affectionately known by his children's friends, enjoyed spending summers at the family cottage at Red Bay on Lake Huron fishing and sailing his wooden Thistle. He started the first sailboat racing club at Red Bay which is still active today. His family and friends whiled away many pleasurable hours at the lake with him and remember his epic bonfires on the beach. During the winter months, he spent weekends skiing at Devils Glen in Singhampton where he was a founding member. He and Bette had many wonderful holidays there entertaining family and friends at the chalet his son Gregory designed. His infectious laugh, his generosity of spirit and his unbridled optimism will be remembered and missed by those who knew and loved him.

To respect his wishes, there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Mary's Hospital Cardiac Clinic https://supportstmarys.ca/donate/in-memory.