GEORGE COOPER SISLER

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

GEORGE COOPER SISLER George Cooper Sisler, Professor Emeritus of the University of Manitoba, died suddenly on January 30, 2002. He is survived by his wife Berenice, his daughter Lesley (Lewis), his son John (Deanna), and his grandchildren, Aiden, Warne, and Kieran. Born in Winnipeg December 28, 1923, George received his early education in Elmwood schools. On graduation from St. Johns Technical High School in 1940 he was awarded the Governor Generals Medal and an Isbister Scholarship. He graduated with an M.D. degree from the University of Manitoba in 1946. After residencies at the Winnipeg General Hospital and the Psychopathic Hospital, he trained in the graduate programme of the Department of Psychiatry, University of Louisville, KY. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. In 1954, following a brief period as clinical director at the Psychopathic Hospital and as demonstrator in the Department of Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine, he was appointed Professor and Founding Head of the Department of Psychiatry of the Winnipeg General Hospital (later the Health Sciences Centre). He held these positions until 1975. Following retirement as Department Head he continued until 1989 as a full time professor and as a member of the clinical and teaching staff of the Health Sciences Centre and other city hospitals. His publications included numerous articles in medical journals. In 1998 he received the distinction of Professor Emeritus from the University of Manitoba. The citation read "During his time as head, he established it as one of Canadas leading departments noted for its research, clinical commitment and the quality of its teaching programs." Because of his diligence and fairness, George was often sought out for committee work of a complex nature. He served on the Senate of the University of Manitoba, the Faculty of Medicine Council Executive, the Executive of the Board of the Health Sciences Centre, the Council for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, the Executive of the Manitoba Medical Association, the Medical Council of Canada and the examination board of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He was a life member of the Prairie Provinces Branch of the American Psychiatric Association and a founding member of the Manitoba and Canadian Psychiatric Associations, and of the Canadian Association of professors of Psychiatry. George served as chair of the Official Board of Westminister Church and as first chair of its Day Care Centre. He was a member of Westworth Church and served on its Official Board. He had major and long-term involvement as a volunteer worker for the Liberal Party. Georges devotion to his patients, students and colleagues will be long remembered. His desire for the best in all he did was tempered by a caring compassion. His family will ever remember him as a special person - loving and caring and having a wonderful sense of humour. A memorial service to celebrate Georges life will be held at Westworth United Church on Wednesday, February 6 at 11:30 a.m. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations may be made to the Legacy Fund of Westworth United Church, 1750 Grosvenor Ave., Winnipeg, R3N 0H9 or to the Manitoba Medical College Foundation, 149-730 William Ave., Winnipeg, R3E 3J7.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 02, 2002