DR. JACOB HOLLENBERG, M.D.

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DR. JACOB HOLLENBERG, M.D. On Saturday, July 17, 1999, Dr. Jacob Hollenberg died suddenly after a brief illness. Born in Winnipeg, MB on February 1, 1914 he was the youngest of Sarah and Moses Hollenbergs seven children, including Mike, Abe, Joe, Bessie, Minna (Markel) and Charlie. He began his education in Winnipegs North End, attending Norquay Elementary School and St. Johns High School. His outstanding scholastic record enabled him to follow in the footsteps of his four older brothers, to attend medical school at the University of Manitoba, receiving his M.D. in 1937 and adding his share to the familys collection of medals for academic achievement. He immediately began a general medical practice and then continued his training in surgery. He received his general surgery specialty certificate in 1948, became a member of the International College of Surgeons in 1954 and a member of the Royal College of Medicine and Surgery of Canada in 1972. During the Second World War he served as a Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps. After the war, he moved his medical practice from its initial site on Ellice Avenue to join his four physician brothers at the Hollenberg Clinic on Graham Avenue. There, he was also joined by his first wife, Dr. Esther Gorsey Hollenberg, whom he had met at medical school and who directed her practice along side his for many years. She predeceased him in 1960, leaving their three children, Morley, Walter and Dorie (Leven). Proceeding from the Hollenberg Clinic, he went on to establish his own clinic building at the corner of St. Marys and Edmonton Streets, where he provided comprehensive medical and surgical care, with one-stop service, including medical consultation, X-ray and laboratory analysis and pharmacy access. This medical practice, he maintained at a high level of excellence right up until the day he died. He formed an unusual bond with his patients, who received both medical and personal guidance from him. In 1961, he married Idy Esther (nee Comisaroff) Cohen, who had been predeceased by her first husband, Abraham (Kelly) Cohen. Their marriage led to a unified, loving and vigorous blended family, including her three children, Francie Cohen Frank, Marion Cohen and Stanley Cohen, along with his own children. He was enormously proud of the accomplishments of each and every child in his blended family, and of the talents of his nine grandchildren who survive him. He was the last member of a unique group of brothers and sisters, who established a remarkable family medical tradition, now recognized throughout Canada and abroad. His death represents the end of one era and the beginning of another, as his children, along with his many nieces and nephews carry on in the tradition of excellence that he and his siblings began. By his family, by his patients and by his dear friends, he will always be remembered. To honour Dr. Hollenbergs memory, donations can be directed to the Manitoba Medical College Foundation, for the Dr. Jacob Hollenberg Medical Education Fund, c/o Room 149-730 William Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W3 (Phone 204-789-3737, Attention, Jennifer Lovell).

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 28, 1999