John Douglas McGregor "Mac" Alton

J.D.M. (Mac) Alton MD, MSc, FRCS(C) February 18, 1926 - December 23, 2009 John Douglas McGregor Alton died peacefully on December 23, 2009 at the age of 83. Mac will be deeply missed by Jane, his beloved wife of 57 years; his five children and 13 grandchildren: John Alton and Alison Woodbury of Toronto (Nicholas, Patrick and Hilary), David and Lisa Alton of Edmonton (Caitlin, Julie and Megan); Heather Alton and Lindsay Staples of Whitehorse (Calef and Kiri); Susan Alton and Daniel Janke of Whitehorse (Liam and Sophie); and Bruce and Carmen Alton of Edmonton (Tom, Jack and Scott). Mac was predeceased by his parents Dr. Jack Alton and Margaret Douglas Alton and his sisters Jean-Elizabeth Kibblewhite and Nancy McMurchy. He will also be missed by his many friends and professional colleagues. Mac was born in Lamont, Alberta in 1926 and, after a brief stint in the Navy, attended the University of Alberta and received his M.D in 1951 and M.Sc. in 1954. Further medical studies in the U.K., Montreal and New York enabled him to become one of the first plastic surgeons in Alberta. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Division of Plastic Surgery, the Cleft Palate Clinic and the Firefighters' Burn Treatment Unit at the University of Alberta Hospital. As the Director and Head of the Training Program of the Division of Plastic Surgery from its formation in 1965 to 1986, he was a mentor to many young surgeons. Mac was the Firefighters' Burn Professor of Surgery from 1985 to 1991, President of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons in 1971 and President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Province of Alberta in 1980. He was appointed Professor Emeritus in 1992. Mac enjoyed his time as a member of the Board of Directors of the Edmonton Eskimo Football Club and played a key role in the establishment of the Healing & Meditative Garden at Lamont Health Care Centre, a hospital founded by pioneer physicians including his father. Mac will be remembered for his integrity, his love of reading, his pleasure in golf, gardening, fine woodworking and the annual fishing trips with close friends and family that spanned over 50 years. The family would like to express their gratitude and thanks to Christina Lehman, Home Care nurse, and the doctors and caregivers at the University of Alberta Hospital. A Memorial Service in celebration of Mac's life will be held on Wednesday, December 30th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's United Church (11526 - 76 Avenue) with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mac's memory can be made to the Lamont Healing & Meditative Garden c/o "Lamont Health Care Centre (re: Lamont Healing & Meditative Garden Project)", Post Office, Bag 10, Lamont, Alberta, T0B 2R0; (780) 895-5817.