Dr. John Seely

Dear Family of Dr. John Seely:

I recently learned of the death of Dr. Seely by a strange co-incidence: playing with my grandson in Brewer Park I encountered a young woman with an adorable Asian child. As we chatted I learned that the little girl was the adopted daughter of "Dr. Seely". I immediately made the connection, but assumed the small child was a grandchild, and within minutes inquired about the Dr. John Seely our family had known. I was so saddened to hear of John's death. He was my former piano student, and a beloved physician of my late mother-in-law, in Montreal. She suffered form many serious medical issues and always placed complete trust in John as one of the few physicians who really listened and tried to help her. Even after he moved to Ottawa, he continued to help her through referrals here, which truly brought her relief and aid throughout her last years.

I knew him as an enthusiastic piano student who had little time to practice, but a great deal of love of music and a wonderful sense of humour. I believe we worked together for 2 years.

I wish we had known earlier of his passing, but we send our warmest wishes and condolences to you as the anniversary of his death approaches.

Dina and Michael Namer

To all of the Seely family,
I want to let you know how sorry I am that your Father has died. I have many wonderful memories of him and have remained grateful over the years for his(and your Mom's) generosity in allowing me to spend so much time with your family. He has left quite a living legacy and I hope you have all found comfort in the memories that you share.
Arnai

I wasn't aware of the guest book until now, just as we approach Dec 18th, your anniversary. Being with our four wonderful kids and nine grandchildren (one of whom you knew was coming but couldn't meet) last Saturday was very poignant, and visiting Maycourt last night for the annual service and seeing again the room in which you died was even more so. John, you were a wonderful husband for many years, but we each needed to grow through our separation, and you later became a truly saintly person who inspired me with your spirituality, goodness and new-found patience. As your wife for 30 years we sorely tested each others' patience, but were always very good friends and stayed that way till you had to pass on. I miss you a lot, and wish you could watch our kids and their kids and their amazing lives with me. I look forward to the time when I will see you again. With so much love, Janet

Dear Andrew and family,
Sending you all love and blessings at Christmas. I feel blessed and comforted as I enter our unit on 5 West seeing your Dad's picture each day before I too assist to do God's work. Every day I hear John's voice giving me the passion and renewed energy I need to help me. He will always be a very big part of my heart and my life work. Love you my dear friend and miss you terribly.

Hello Andrew
I cannot imagine a year has gone by. Dr Seely is one of kindest and a super human being I have ever met. Hope all is well with you and your siblings. My very best to you and your family
Sincerely
Neomy

Hello Andrew:
Your Dad and I were classmates, McGill Med.'62. He was my hero as much for being a gentleman as a brilliant student. We met a few times after graduation and promised to meet again but life took its course. We missed him at our 45th reunion and will again at our 50th in 2 years time. I was saddened at his departure but will always remember the happy times we had together back then, with your mother Janet, and the rest of the gang. I wish you and your siblings the best of life's fortunes for the years to come.

God bless you all,

Jim Sullivan

Dear Andrew,
I have just learned of your Dad's passing. Having read all of the notes, folks have pretty much accurately described a wonderful person with whom I had the pleasure, personnally and professionally of working with from the early 60's when we were scarlet keys to the time he moved to Ottawa.

Wonderful memories.

Jonathan Meakins

I retired from nursing in Toronto, and moved here to Ottawa in 2000.
And I then volunteered to do palliative care at the General Site of the Ottawa Hospital.
Dr. Seely was one of the kindest and most gentle persons whom I have ever met.
I am sure that God needed this very special man in heaven, and that he is
smiling down upon all of us.
Pauline Thompson

It's Unita.

Dear John,

You had asked me on many occasions to call you John, and as I had mentioned to you it wan not possible, but today I am.

Today April 14, I was in the process of forwarding your contact information to a friend in Toronto as a speaker for a Conference and as the best in Pain Management for Sickle Cell Patients at the OGH, and as many of the patients would describe you as the only one who would listen, the only DR. who understand pain, or the tall man with the lovely smile.

There is so much to talk you I don't know where to begin, I am so overwhelmed with emotions, and that I can barley see my keyboards. I will forever remember the day I walked into Brent's room and there you where talking with him as buddies, Brent saying to you "yo" and you trying your best to get the lingo and me in total shocked and you reassured me that it's ok... relax, you made things so easy from that day on, Brent would be more comfortable knowing that you would stop by later on to manage his pain, from that day you became "Our Guardian Angel" which is where you are today taking care of everyone. You see I didn’t know that you are no longer with us, because Brent has been doing very well, small pain crises that all. It will be very difficult to tell him, but we will cherished the good memories of you, and we will treasure your words of encouragement and your love for patient care, you always made everyone feels special.

To your family, Dr. Seely was much more than a Physician, I firmly believe that all we needed from him was his great smile
to which would assure us that everything would be alright today, his presence would make the day brighter, tomorrow would be another day, I thank you for allowing us to be in his company, he was a talented man with many precious
gifts for the delivery of care to all the Sickle Cell Patients and others

Good bye my precious Angel. Thanks you for all what you taught us, and many Blessing to your wonderful family.



Unita, Brent, and Heidi Louis
Sickle Cell Parents Support Group.
~
Unita Louis,
Ottawa, Ontario

Tonight I sat own to catch up on ome of the journals and in reading the Canadian Medical Association Journal, I read the sad news of Dr. Seely's death. I knew John while I was a faculty member of the U. of Ottawa. He truly is one of the great individuals that one has the privilege to meet in a lifetime. With kindness, sincerity, wisdom, and integrity, he graced our paths. He truly touched and influenced our lives.
May peace be with the Seely family.
Bill Dafoe, U. of Alberta

I just learned of Dr. Seely's passing today. As a physiology student at McGill in 1975, I worked in Dr. Seely's lab. He had an enormous impact on me in terms of choosing a career in academic medicine and I found him to be the ultimate gentleman in addition to a wise sage. Although I have not seen him since he moved to Ottawa, I was delighted to learn of his involvement in the field of palliative medicine. I cannot think of a better field for somebody of his warmth and compassion.
I would like to extend my most sincere condolences to his family.
Meyer Balter MDCM(McGill 1981), University of Toronto

I have just today learned of the passing of a man who had an enormous influence on us Department Chairmen when he was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in Ottawa. His empathy,kindness and downright decency affected us all. Who will forget that smile,those signs of concern,that self effacement which is not always common in the Byzantine politics of academe.Even though it is over 15 years since our paths crossed,
I, and the many others whose lives he touched, mourn the passing of a good and noble gentleman.
To his loved ones may I respectfully offer condolences.

Alison & family,
So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. It is so hard for a daughter to lose her father. Take comfort in knowing that his wisdom and love will forever be with you.

We at the Palliative Care department of the Elizabeth Bruyere Hospital extend our thoughts and prayers to John's family and to all those who have been touched by John's amazing gift for connecting with people. A family member of a former patient recently said to me that she only new John for a short while, however, his loss has touched her deeply. It is the mark of a great man who can leave such an impression after only a brief encounter. For those of us who knew him well, the loss is great. He has embodied enlightenment, and his spirit will live on in our thoughts and words and actions as we recall his influence in our lives in many unique ways. As a friend, a colleague, a mentor, and an amazing human being,John, we will miss you.

On behalf of the staff of 5 West at the Ottawa Hospital-General Campus, we would like to express our sincerest condolences to John's family and many dear friends.
Dr. Seely did more than touch the lives of our patients. He had the ability to feel and hear even when not a word was spoken. His warm smile, his soft reassuring voice, his calm demeanor enveloped our unit and his presence will always be with us and in some of us.
My fondest memories include exchanging Marmalade recipes and every Halloween on our unit, "Geriatric Dolly" would pay John a special visit. And his smile was priceless.
God Speed dear friend.

To the Seely family,

On behalf of members of the Academy of Medicine Ottawa (AMO), please accept our sincere condolences. Dr. Seely was a member of the AMO.

Doctor John Seely has touched many lives throughout his life and medical career. I first met Dr. Seely in 1977 at the Royal Victoria Hospital dialysis unit. Four years later, when I moved to Montreal with my husband from Switzerland, Dr. Seely welcomed me as a permanent dialysis patient at the Royal Victoria Hospital. Dr. Seely was an excellent physician and a very caring person; he will be greatly missed. Sincere condolences, Anne Sexton Dobby, Geneva, Switzerland

John was one of my treasured classmates in medical school, and through our common interests in nephrology and education.

I would just like you to know of my great admiration for this exceptional, brilliant, generous, and caring person. He never sought the centre stage, and
reveled in the success of others. He had all the characteristics of the ideal role model for the medical profession and for citizens of the world.

On a personal level, he did things in an elegant, unselfish, and unique way. To express this in just one word, he was "noble" man. I, like you. am greatly saddened at this time.

Sincerely
Mitch Halperin

We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Dr. John Seely. We have all been saddened by the irony and severity of his illness, and we will certainly miss his presence. We have been truly enriched for having known this gentle and kind man.

Alison, Kevin, Savannah, Forest & Logan,
I feel as though I've known your Dad..."Bopa" for ages through all of your wonderful tales, and all that I've read tonight, truly a phenomenal soul! My heart goes out to all of you and your family, take good care of each other

Alison,Kevin,Savannah,Forest & Logan,

I feel as though I've known your Dad..."Bopa"for ages through all of your wonderful tales,and all that I have read tonight... what a phenomenal soul he was! My heart goes out to all of you and your family, take good care of each other.

My husband (Jack) and I had the privilege of meeting Dr. John...at the request of his brother, David, a friend and residing @ Woodbrook Estates, Fla. in the winter months.

At first, we were hesitant at contacting Dr. John....just waiting for the eventual need of Palliative Care for Jack due to leukemia.

It certainly was a very friendly and calming meeting when we did meet Dr. John. He immediately looked after Jack and arranged for us to visit the diabetes division @ the Riverside Hospital...

From there, we knew we were in good hands!
Jack left us on June 6, 2008...and was again in the good care of Dr. John, days prior.
I wanted the family to know that We (both Jack and I) were very appreciative of his help. It is sad to loose such a Great Man and Doctor....when We All need such compassion in our lives. Rest assure that I will keep Dr. John in my forever grateful heart.

As a former cancer patient Dr. Seely entered my life the day after I was admitted to the Ottawa General Hospital. He was there when I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer; he reassured my elderly parents that he would make sure I was well taken care of. He did more than fulfill his promise to them - he made sure I was not released until a definitive diagnosis had been made and treatment started. I knew by the way he spoke to me, how he met my eyes when he talked to me that I was more than a patient to him. He made sure that I explored all my treatment options, including those not readily accepted by the medical community. I cannot remember ever seeing him without a smile on his face. He was an incredible doctor, a gold standard for others, he will be missed.

John was that rarest of physicians who combined intellect with compassion and authenticity. Patients and staff alike instantly trusted him and felt secure in the knowledge that he always had everyones best interests at heart. The oncology ward presents unique challenges for both patients and caregivers and John managed the often difficult task of ensuring not just the patient's comfort but aligning goals of all involved. I and all my collegues frequently benefited from his wisdom and understanding. He has been and will be sorely missed.

John, you were the heart of our team. We feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work and learn from you. Although your loss has left an enormous void in our palliative care family, your equanimity, your humour and your gentle wisdom will guide us in our work and lives always.
The Palliative Care Team, Ottawa Hospital

What a loss to the international medical community and to Ottawa in particular. What Dr. Seely could teach you about communication and compassion just by observing his interactions with patients was profound. He was an inspiration to countless health professionals and a true healer to countless families. He was kind and supportive of me as a medical student; indeed I would not have finished medical school without his mentorship and friendship. I will miss him.

- T, MD

John had the ability of being part of a team as both teacher and learner. He was so open to acceptance of ideas and made all those working with him feel extremely valued. There are many fond memories of this man.

Dear Seely family,

We are thinking of you in this difficult time. We were both so fortunate to have known John and to have benefited from his teaching, guidance, mentorship, friendship and kindness.
From Rosie - I met John when I was a medical student, then he was my first department chair, my dean and finally he mentored me as I took on my most recent professional challenge - I could not have done it without him.

From Mark - I had the honour of working with John with cancer patients; John's care was compassionate and exemplary. He supported me to complete my Master's and this was so appreciated.

There are countless stories we could both tell you about the positive influence John had on our lives.
We are very sad that John is no longer with us, we will miss him. You can be very proud of his achievements and of the kind of human being he was. They don't make them better than John!

With warmest wishes,

I have nothing but the fondest memories of John Seely who was my mentor and teacher in nephrology at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. He was one of the most intelligent, compassionate and nurturing physicians and teachers that I have ever had the privilege to meet. I regret that I will not be able to attend the memorial service in Ottawa on December 22nd. My heartfelt condolescences go to the Seely family.

I had the pleasure of working with Dr.Seely at the Ottawa General and was always in awe by what a wonderful doctor as well as person he was to everyone who crossed his path! Even though I havent worked in Ottawa for a few years, I know that he will be deeply missed. My condolences to his family.

Dr. Seely was my neighbour on Sunnyside Avenue for over 4 years. He was an unpretentious, gentle, kind man who left an impression on me even though I moved away from Sunnyside over 8 years ago. I was very sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to his family.

We will be forever grateful for Dr.Seeley`s kindness, compassion ,understanding & words of encouragement during our Mother`s illness.
He truly was a doctor who cared for the patient & family.
You must be so proud to have a Father who helped so many people.
My Prayers to You All
Sincerely, Annadeane Kerr RN

What a huge loss...he will be truly missed and has certainly taught us a lot. I will never forget him.

I had the honour of working with Dr Seely at the Ottawa Hospital. I will always remember how we could always count on him to come and help when a patient was ready to "pass on" in the emergency ward, and how comforting it was to have him at the patient's bedside during those times. My thoughts are with his family at this time.

I had the great honour and pleasure of working with Dr. Seely as a nurse on 8W. He was truly a special man with the most patience, kindness and intelligence I've seen to date. He will be sorely missed and I offer his family my deepest sympathies. He was simply the best...

My deepest condolences to John's family. He was an amazing physician who exemplified compassion, empathy, and knowledge. I had the good fortune to work with and learn from John; and can only hope that I remember to treat patients and colleagues with the same grace that he did. He was a wonderful human being as well as physician, and will truly be missed.

Daar Jean and family
My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
May his memory be a blessing and inspiration to you.


Vivien Frenkel

Dr Seely looked after the mother of a very close friend of mine when she was dying of cancer several years ago. I will always remember him as a very kind, caring & compassionate man. He will be sorely missed. My deepest sympathy to his family.

I had the priviledge to work with Dr. Seely at the General Hospital. He was the most inspirational physician I have ever worked with. His compassion, dedication, and warm spirit will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Janet Christie-Seely,MD
I had the great privilege of being married to John for 30 years and enjoying with him our four amazing children, and now eight wonderful grandchildren. After the stress of a divorce in 1992, that helped us both move on and grow, we remained very close friends. I saw him often in the last weeks and though he couldn't talk, as the tumour was in the speech centre, he could understand and we communicated a lot. The family were a wonderful team and the May Court staff were phenomenal. I worked 3 years as a Palliative Care Physician in Montreal and have never seen such good care. We will all miss him enormously and that includes my present husband, Tom Wright, who has been a huge support.

My condolences to the family.
Dr. Seely was certainly one of a kind.
He was such a caring and considerate man.
I met him at the Ottawa Hospital when my life partner ( Maureen Murphy ) was admitted on her final journey.
His words inspired her in spite of her terminal cancer.
God Bless.

I knew John as the second Department Head in my career. His demeanour and approach was always gentle, understanding and never ever dogmatic. He was too nice a man to be a boss. John guided me through a very challenging part of my life when I had to decide on a career-shift - as he did when he came back from New York and started his own career in palliative care. With his passing, all of us has lost a very dedicated physician and n rare gifted man.

- Maung Tin Aye (Bertie)

Be the change you want to see in the world
- Ghandi
My deepest sympathy to the family of Dr John Seely, I have had the honour to know and work with John for many years, he truly lived the words of Ghandi as he changed the world we lived in. On a personal note he cared for my best friend years ago with his usual warmth, compassion and kindness
He will be missed but has left his imprint on many

I had the tremendous gift of Dr John Seely as Dean during my medical school training. I recall still today our first day of classes when he addressed us. He was so caring, and compassionate and inspired that passion in us. When I struggle with a difficult case, I often think of him for inspiration. His spirit will surely live on in the many lives he touched.

Sherissa Microys.

Let me add my heartfelt wishes to Dr. Seely's family, friends and colleagues.

I spoke to him several times over the weeks and months that my spouse (Monique Lussier) was a patient in the General Campus cancer ward.

He was always soft-spoken, warm and reassuring and we liked him.

I came to know and respect John when he was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. His caring nature permeated his work as an academic, as a physician and as a friend. My condolences to his family.

I had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Seely and working with him. He was a kind, caring and compassionate man who will be dearly missed by many. I have learnt a lot about palliative care from him and for that I am grateful. My deepest condolences to your family...he will never be forgotten

A truly great man who will be dearly missed and remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.

Truly a great man. His compassion is an inspiration to all of us. My sincere condolences to his family.

Alison - my deepest sympathy to you and all your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

I had the opportunity to work with Dr.J.Seely he was a great co-worker with our Dept and specially myself on 8 West as ACC at the Ottawa Generel Campus as a great freind of mine. I had the pleasure to work with him and his team on 8west for so many many years and I've learn alot from him specially in reality of life. He will be mist.

Robert Lamoureux

Five years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer and spent over a month at the General. Upset at having to take morphine based medication that was giving me hallucinations,I refused to take any more. This upset the nurses. They sent for Dr John Seely, who came into my room, sat on the bed, understood my concerns and came up with a plan acceptable to us all. After that he dropped by frequently and brought into the room kindess and peace. I will never forget him. My husband carved a walking staff for him as our thank-you. When I heard that he was seriously ill, I wanted to play the harp for him, but was unable to find out where he was. Thank you Dr Seely. May your spirit live on.
Pat Marshall and Germain Vézina

I was very sad to hear that John has died. He was an excellent physician, colleague and role model who will be missed by everyone who knew him.

On a personal note, I came to know him as colleague and friend, who was instrumental in ensuring exemplary palliative care to my brother in the last few weeks of his life.

Thank you John. I will never forget you.

I felt so deeply blessed and honored to be able to work with Dr. Seely on 5 East at the General Hospital....he was a truely genuine, caring, intelligent man. I learned so much from him, not only about Palliative care but of life. He is missed dearly and I pray that your wonderful memories of your father help you during the difficult times. His life will carry on through his children and grandchildren. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Cheri Lumsden RN

I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Seely when I was at the University of Ottawa. I remember Dr. Seely as a caring and wonderful man. It was such an honour for me when he presented me with a plaque for my retirement.

My thoughts and prayers are with you during these difficult times.

John Seely was a wise and compassionate man. In our work together around end of life and people with disabilities, he showed his humility and humanity and used his own connections in the palliative care community to ensure that the voices of people with disabilities would be heard by his colleagues. On behalf of the VP-NET team, we are deeply grateful for all of his contributions. On a personal note, I wanted to say how much his compassion and generosity meant to me. He started as a colleague and became a friend. We will miss John and offer our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

Deborah Stienstra, Winnipeg/Fredericton

Very sad to know - that we a lost a wonderul -caring individual- The best human being one could come across
Will miss you tremendously

Dr. Seely was a wonderful and caring man and he touched many people and lives my thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.

Dr. Seely taught me so much, he will be missed. His patients and his collegues will miss him greatly.

Dr.Seeley was truly a wonderful man!! I had the pleasure of working with him at the General hospital. His compassion and dedication was rare! He will be missed.

Dr Seely was an amazing physician and mentor. It was a privilege and honour to know him.

Alison,

Brian and I are sad to hear that your father has passed away and we send our condolences out to you and your family.

Jill Carty and Brian Walker (Nugget's parents)

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Dr. Seely will be remembered for the wonderful man he was. An incredible physician, mentor, teacher as well as all the lives of the patients and people he's touch.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

For decades, John has been there for me and so many others. A remarkable friend, scientist, mentor, and caregiver. His elegance and courtesy, and remarkable skills live on in his four wonderful children--now dynamic accomplished adults. Thank you John!

The academic community as well as the community at large loose a dedicated, devoted, and competent clinician and teacher. Those who had the opportunity to work with John benefited of a great priviledge. He was a most pleasant and sincere human being. It is a great loss.

Our family sends our deepest sympathies. John Seely was a wonderful man, a wonderful friend and a wonderful doctor. We will honour his memory always.
JoAnne Cohen Sulzenko, daughter of the late Professor Maxwell Cohen and Isle Cohen

I had the pleasure or working with Dr.Seely at the Elizabeth Bruyere center.I have only respect and admiration for him.My prayers and thoughts are with his family at this time