John BATE

BATE, Dr. John Thomas MD FRCS
Passed away peacefully at home on October 15th, 2014 in his 83rd year. Beloved husband for more than 53 years to Shirley Bate (nee McComb) who passed away in December 2010. Loving father of Michael (Lesley Hirmann), Lisa (Paul Cherry) and Stephen (Kate Kerr-Lawson). Cherished Gramps to Christopher, Hilary, Tyler, Jack, Casey, Julia, Benjamin, Jamie and Charlotte. John spent the vast majority of his life looking after others and welcoming newborns into our world as an obstetrician and gynaecologist at York Central Hospital (now Mackenzie Health) for over 40 years. An accomplished swimmer, enthusiastic bridge player, avid golfer and all-round 'trained athlete,' John led an energetic and full life. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all that knew him for his unwavering optimism, his caring for others, his undying commitment to friends and family and his fatherly advice over Sunday dinners. The grandchildren will always treasure their memories of lunches with Gramps at Gramma Dots on Sanibel Island. Beyond his family, John valued his lifelong friendships from Oakwood Collegiate, the West End YMCA swim club, U of T Medical School, York Central Hospital, the Lake Simcoe cottage community, the Richmond Hill community & Thornhill Country Club. Visitation with John's family will be held on Friday, October 24th, 2014 from 2 to 4 p.m and 7 to 9 p.m. at the York Visitation Centre, 160 Beecroft Rd., North York, Ontario, M2N 5Z5. A celebration of John's life will be held on Saturday, October 25th, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Forest Grove United Church, 43 Forest Grove Dr, Toronto, M2K 1Z4 . A luncheon reception will follow at Thornhill Country Club, 7994 Yonge St., Thornhill, L4J 1W3. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in John's memory either to the Mackenzie Health Foundation or to the Canadian Cancer Society.