Dr. Martyn John Roberts

It was some weeks after Martyn’s untimely passing that I heard of the loss of my very best friend from school days. I wrote to his hospital expressing my great sadness, and as he has been in my mind a lot lately, I repeat the theme of that letter here, five years on.

IN January 2016 I wrote: “The last time I heard from Martyn, in 2014, he said he was determined not to retire until he was 70, and, reminded of this today, I googled to see if there was any mention of him on the web recently. I was of course stunned what appeared top of the list. I turn 70 later this year, and am retiring next month.

Martin and I were classmates at Roundhay school in Leeds in the early 1960s, and while he was an extremely keen and talented sportsmen and I was quite the opposite, we were nonetheless very good friends, and later I visited him in Cardiff, particularly when Wales were playing rugby at home! We kept in loose touch over the years, and I last saw him when he most kindly and generously called to see me at a particularly difficult time of my life in 2005 - very typical of him to be so supportive.

I cannot add much more to the wonderful tribute that I have read on this website, which is exactly as I knew Martyn. He had two wonderful and supportive parents, both of whom were so proud of his great success both professionally and as a family man. His father was passionate about Welsh Rugby, no less than he was to see Martyn become a doctor!”

Again I pass my deepest sympathy and very best wishes to Pam, who I met before they married. Martyn was an amazing guy, and I'm sure he'll be missed by a great many people, and by me, for a very long time.

I only found out about your passing today Jan.11 2016, my condolences to all your family enjoyed working with you at Toronto Western & Dr. Rootman's Clinic.
Gods Blessings Carol Walke

Martin was one of the finest men with whom I have ever worked. Always enthusiastic, energetic and resourceful, he brightened the life of everyone who knew him. Never shy to comment, he could stick a pin in any blowhard and give excellent advice to colleagues and, I'm sure, to his children. Humanity is diminished by his loss.

My condolences to everyone, on their shocking loss. Martyn was a standout teacher, an excellent clinician and loads of fun. I still remember his enthusiasm and energy, even though I worked at TWH as a resident in anaesthesia decades ago.

Martyn,
You are gone and we have not had you with us long enough! Thank you for the great times we had together. We will miss your humour, warm, upbeat and generous personality, and most of all enjoying our granddaughters together. You have been a wonderful part of our extended family.
Lots of love,
Rest in Peace,
Angelika and Andries -- Toronto, Ontario

My sincere & heart felt sympathy goes out to the Roberts family. Dr. Martyn Roberts was just such a great person & a "sweet heart" to all the lives he has touched - gone too soon. He was loving, and loved, caring, humerous, very brilliant and so unasuming.
We will miss him, but have to let him go. He is gone now to a place where where there is no day or night,a place where the gates are always open, so when we meet with him again, he will just be as happy as he were when he left us. God wanted him now, so to the family I will say, ":be of good courage" for Martyn has lived and has left a legacy.

Toronto Western staff I will remember Dr. Roberts smile, sense of humour, love for his family. I have never seen anyone so full of joy and excitment when looking forward to babysitting. Also, worked with his daughter Lisa who we talked about whenever I worked with him.

Martyn was in the year before me at Med School in Cardiff. I shared the news of his untimely passing with friends in my year. We all remember him as a 'fantastic athlete and rugby sevens player and all round good guy', and we are saddened by his untimely death. My wife Gwyneth remembers his wife, Pam. Our sincere condolences to her and all his family.

Throughout my time in the department at Toronto Western Hospital, Martyn was always a beacon of light and cheer, radiating positive energy everywhere he went. It always lifted my spirits to have a chat with him, and it was a privilege to receive the nuggets of wisdom, both medical and on life in general, that he would inevitably dispense. We share in the loss experienced by his family; his passing has left a void that will not be easily filled.

Dr. Roberts had a sharp sense of humour and a caring soul. He always talked about his family and grandchildren to those of us in the industry that interacted with him. He will be missed and my sympathies go out to the family.

Diane deGroot

Martyn and family were a big part of our happy family and neighbourhood experience on Sheldrake Boulevard . Thanks for all the special family memories.

I worked with Martyn through Day Sugery since 2001, he did anesthetia for my surgery a few years ago, he was a pleasure to know and work with. He will be missed. Linda Bertagnolio RN

Deepest sympathies to the whole family. I was a visiting fellow at TWH from Wales in the mid 90s and Dr Roberts was a kindred spirit. We had many happy times talking about rugby and Welsh anaesthetists. A great character who will be sorely missed.

My friend Martyn - who I first met almost 50 years ago - was like a bright candle. He illuminated the sports field, the workplace, his family and the lives of his many friends. As is the case with a bright candle, his light went out too soon, diminishing the lives of all who knew him. He will be forever in our hearts. Derwyn

A few days before Gareth and Krista's wedding I recall Martyn saying to me "This country's been good to me". He had a twinkle in his eye, and I knew he was saying "Give Canada a go!". He was a lovely man - father to one of my best friends. Rest In Peace, boyo.

I have fond memories of Dr. Roberts as an excellent and encouraging teacher during my training to become a respiratory therapist at TWH. As a staff member I was very appreciative of his ability to create calm during stressful emergency situations. Dr. Roberts was loved by both staff and patients and will be greatly missed.
Herbert Wright

Dave and Lisa,

We are so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this incredibly difficult time.

Love Simone and Andrew

My sincere sympathy to the Roberts Family. As a TWH OR nurse for many years, I will always remember Martyn's boundless enthusiasm, his cheerful laugh, his common sense in times of stress, and his total commitment to patient care.
Thank you , Martyn.

My deepest sympathy to the Roberts family for their huge loss. I knew Martyn when I worked in the OR at TWH as a nurse. It has been 30 years since that time ,however once you met Martyn you never forgot him. My thoughts are with the family at this most difficult time. Susan Schumacher

My deepest and sincere condolences go out to the Roberts family. The world has truly lost an exceptional human being whose smile and persona could ignite the room, and everyone who had the pleasure of working with him. A gifted anaesthetist, loved and highly regarded by all.
As an RN, I've known Martyn since 1980 at TWH...meagre beginnings in a 4 bed cardiac ICU called room 201. On the surgical side, My husband Wojtek worked with him in the operating room for decades...we were both colleagues and friends. I extend my heartfelt sympathies to his wonderful family, ....the twinkle that was always in Martyn's eye got "brighter" when he spoke about you.
Martyn was instant happiness. He will be truly missed!
Karen Hanekop/Kaflinski.

Sincere condolences to Pam and family from his many friends at the former Toronto Lions Rugby Club. He was a great Rugby player and a greater person. He will be sorely missed.

My deepest sympathies to Pam and the family. I had the privilege to work with Martyn at TWH. His thunderous personality, intelligence and humour somehow created a calming environment in the OR. He was an inspiring positive force of nature who motivated people to be the best they can be. I will miss him deeply.

My sincere condolences on your immeasurable loss - I had the privilege of working with Martyn for many years - one couldn't help but feel happy as soon as you heard that wonderful accent or saw his smile. May peace be with you all - God Bless Martyn! You will be missed

Martyn was one of the first people I met when I came to the Toronto Western Hospital in 1994 and from that day on a valued colleague and friend. I will greatly miss his exuberance, skill and friendship.

Our sincere condolences to the Roberts family on your loss.

Jordan Daiter, Anthony Di Iorio, and the entire team at Bank of Montreal Yonge and Eglinton Branch.

My sincere condoleances to the Roberts Family.
I knew Martyn at the TWH as a competent anesthesilogist. He even anesthetized my daughters during her appendectomy a while ago.
I will keep always good memories of Martyn
He is in a bettre place!!

My deepest sympathy goes out to the Roberts family. I worked with Martyn at Princess Margaret Cancer Center when he came to do anesthesia. Martyn had a great sense of humour and was a joy to be around. I am so sorry to hear about this. He would tell us about his locum that he did in New Zealand and was looking forward to possibly doing another. He was very kind to everyone, staff and patients.