Alastair J. Gillies

Alastair J. Gillies died recently after a long fight with cancer. He was a retired physician, having practiced anesthesiology at University of Rochester for over 30 years. He was born to an Edinburgh, Scotland family, and immigrated to the USA after the Second World War to practice at Strong Memorial Hospital, part of the University of Rochester, and for a time, at Grace New Haven Community Hospital in New Haven Connecticut. He maintained a residence in Geneva, New York and Redington Shores, Florida with his wife Shirley.As a physician, Alastair followed in the footsteps of his father, John Gillies, an anesthesiologist for the Royal Family in the UK in the years around World War II. Alastair was educated at the University of Edinburgh, and trained at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh. He served on the medical staff in the RAF during the war. His move to America in the early 50s coincided with the burgeoning recognition of anesthesia as its own specialty in medicine, and he helped to develop and nurture a robust department at the University of Rochester. He was involved in recruitment, education, curriculum development, research, and overall administration as department chief for 24 years. He participated in human trials investigation efforts as part of his overall interest in bettering the practice and management of anesthesia. The Gillies Library at the Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital anesthesia department is named for him. Alastair was an avid golfer and played well into his retirement years. He was a model train enthusiast and built a sizable collection over the years based on purchases in America and in the UK. Alastair had four children with his wife Dorothy who died of cancer in 1984.
He is survived by his wife Shirley; and her children, Huw and Sian; his sons John and Neil; his daughter Deirdre; and five grandchildren.
Predeceased by son Bruce,
In lieu of flowers donations can be made by check to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in support of the B. Thomas Golisano Hope Lodge at 1120 Goodman Street South, Rochester, NY 14620 (800-227-2345 or 585-224-4951) to benefit cancer treatment programs and patients.
A remembrance for Alastair will be held in Geneva, New York during the summer of 2014.