RALPH IVOR PROBERT

RALPH IVOR PROBERT M.D., D.A., Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (England and Canada) November 6, 1914 - July 10, 2013 Quietly at home and with dignity, Dr. Ralph Ivor Probert entered into eternal rest on July 10, 2013. Loving husband of Marion Joy (Bramwell). Son of the late Ivor and Elizabeth (Culley) Probert. Dear father of Janice (Dave Ledson) and grandfather of Joanne Ledson (Eddie Fortuna). Great-grandfather to Evan, Kyle and Lauren. Fondly remembered by his former wife, Helen. Dear friend of Larry and Janice O'Neill. He is also survived by numerous cousins and many nieces and nephews. Ralph was raised in Welland, Ontario. He attended Welland High and Vocational School, where he excelled academically and took part in many school and Boy Scout activities. Ralph relished living alongside the River, and in future years water was always to play an important part of Ralph's recreational life. He attended the University of Toronto, attaining his medical degree (1940) and subsequently interned at the Toronto General Hospital (1940-1942), where his interest in anesthesia grew to become his medical specialty. Following World War II, he received his diploma in anesthesia from Oxford University, England (1946), and subsequently was granted fellowship in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (England and Canada). Ralph volunteered for the Canadian Army in the Second World War, serving with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps overseas from 1942-1946 (England, France, Holland and Germany) and achieving the rank of Major by war's end. Following the war, Ralph returned home to set up private practice in Hamilton, Ontario, in the Medical Arts Building. He practiced the specialty of anesthesia at both Hamilton Civic Hospitals and St. Joseph's Hospital. He later became the Chief of the Department of Anesthesia at Hamilton Civic Hospitals, a position he held for many years. Following his retirement, he maintained an appointment to the Honourary Staff in the Department of Anesthesia with Hamilton Health Sciences until the time of his death. During his years of practice, he taught his specialty to many medical residents, and grew the number of staff qualified to perform anesthesia as a specialty in order to serve the best interest of the residents of Hamilton. Additionally, he held positions in the Hamilton Academy of Medicine, and on numerous anesthesia committees with the Canadian Medical Association. Ralph was a man of many varied interests (magic, photography, jazz, etc.), but his favourite recreational activity was boating. He was a well known yachtsman of both power and sail, having personally attained his Celestial Navigation designation with the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (CPS). Ralph sought to share his enthusiasm and love of boating by teaching all aspects of safe boating and navigation to beginners and advanced boaters, and to the police of both the City of Hamilton and Halton Region. He was a respected Past Commander of the Hamilton Power and Sail Squadron, Past District Commander for the Niagara District, and Past Vice Commander at the National Level. In 2007, Ralph received national recognition in Ottawa for over 50 years of meritorious service. He was a life member of the CPS, and a senior charter member of the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club, where for many years he moored his beloved boat, Barcarolle II. Ralph lived a long and remarkably healthy retirement. He was a dedicated physician, a leader and a teacher. We've lost a remarkable man. His memory will be honoured and cherished by all those who were touched by his generous nature and kind spirit. Visitation for Dr. Probert will be held at BAY GARDENS FUNERAL HOME, 1010 Botanical Drive (across from Bayview Cemetery, Crematory & Mausoleum), BURLINGTON (905-527-0405), on Monday, July 15, 2013 from 12 noon until 1 p.m., when a Funeral Service will take place in the Bay Gardens Chapel. Interment to follow at Woodland Cemetery.