Edward James Prokipchuk

EDWARD JAMES PROKIPCHUK M.D., F.R.C.P. (C), F.A.C.P . Passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 28, 2009, at St. Michael's Hospital, in his 80th year. Born on August 31st, 1929 in Toronto, Ed was the only child of Ukrainian immigrants, Alexander and Mary. After graduating from Humberside Collegiate he entered the University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Medicine, and graduated in 1954. Ed undertook graduate studies in Montreal, London, Ontario, and Toronto and in 1960 obtained his Fellowship in Internal Medicine. In 1961 he was a Fellow in Gastroenterology at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. Upon his return to Canada in 1963, Ed began a long and fulfilling clinical and teaching career in Gastroenterology at St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, where he was Chief of Gastroenterology for many years. He became an Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, at the University of Toronto in 1973 and in 1995 he received a Distinguished Service Award from the University of Toronto for his contribution to the development of Gastroenterology in Toronto. He also received a Distinguished Service Award from the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology. Failing health forced Ed to retire from St. Michael's Hospital in 1997 after serving there for 34 years. During his retirement, he continued to pursue his passion for medicine; reading medical journals, as well as books on history and politics and enjoying listening to classical music. Ed had been diagnosed with kidney disease in his early 30's. His life span and achievements far exceeded his expectations and hopes and he was always thankful. Ed was the cherished husband of Mary (nee Jacobs) for 31 years, dear father of Debbie (Mark Ackley) and of son David. Proud grandfather of Scott, Lauren, and Jay (in memoriam) Ackley. Ed will be fondly remembered by cousins in Detroit, Michigan, Madison, Wisconsin and Toronto, and in Toronto by in-laws Colin and Kathy Jacobs, Tracey, Tegan, Lindsey, Owen and Emmett. He will be missed by his life-long and loyal friends, Bill and Rose Gedz of Woodbridge, as well as friends, colleagues and patients in Toronto and across Canada. Special thanks to all the St. Michael's Hospital staff who cared for Ed throughout his many and various health problems. Special thanks to the staff and nurses in the Renal Dialysis Unit where Ed was treated with compassion and friendly affection for almost fifteen years. Special thanks, too, to Toronto Rehab Staff, to CCAC care giver Simone and to Nurse Jecel (14th floor/St. Michael's Hospital) in Ed's final hours. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make donations to the St. Michael's Hospital Foundation / Dialysis Unit or a charity of your choice. Friends may call at the Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor St. W. (at Windermere, east of Jane subway) on Saturday, June 6th, 2009 for visitation from 9-11 a.m. Memorial Service will be held in the Chapel at 11 a.m. Interment has taken place.