JOHN LAURENCE HAMERTON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JOHN LAURENCE HAMERTON With deep sadness we announce the death of John Laurence Hamerton on Thursday evening, February 9, 2006, following complications from cardiac surgery. John is survived by his loving family: wife Irene; son Michael (Joy); daughters, Susan, Kate (Dino), Sarah (Jim); grandsons, Peter (Emily) and baby Keith; sisters-in-law Christine (Peter), Cherry (John), their children; and other family members in England. John was born in Hove, England on September 23, 1929, the only child of Bernard and Nora Hamerton, who predeceased him. During his early career at the University of London and Guy's Hospital, he collaborated on studies that helped pave the way for bone marrow transplantation, and he became renowned for confirming the correct human chromosome number. In 1969, he was drawn to Canada by the opportunity to create the Winnipeg Children's Hospital's first human genetics department. He continued to develop an international reputation as a researcher, with major contributions in prenatal diagnosis, cytogenetics, and ethical issues relating to the Human Genome Project, while mentoring many scientists and physicians. He was a founding member and former President of the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists, and was instrumental in establishing medical genetics as an independent medical and scientific specialty. He also served as President of the American Society of Human Genetics and the Genetics Society of Canada. John was Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba, and received many honours and awards, including fellowship in the Royal Society of Canada and honorary fellowship in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. In 2003, he was given the great honour of being made an Officer of the Order of Canada. John was an incredibly active man who read widely in many subjects, and whose earlier interests included photography, dog-breeding and hiking. After moving with his family to the country in 1980, he became fascinated by sheep-farming. John and Irene immersed themselves in rural life, and developed Queen's Valley Sheep Farm, a successful enterprise breeding purebred Arcott sheep. John made major contributions to the Manitoban and Canadian sheep industries, and served as President of the Manitoba Sheep Association and Chair of the Canada Sheep Council. John made a second life in the world of sheep-raising. John was a force of nature, and nothing will fill the void that he has left. He will be sorely missed by members of all the communities he touched, and will be lovingly remembered by his family, many friends, colleagues and former trainees. Thanks to Drs. Menkis and Bell and all the medical and nursing staff at the St. Boniface Hospital SICU for their untiring efforts and kindness. In lieu of flowers, John wished any donations to be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba or the Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics Endowment Fund, University of Manitoba. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service in celebration of John's life will be held in Theatre A at the Medical School, 730 William Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3J7, on Thursday, March 23 at 3:00 p.m. Arrangements by: Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach and Winnipeg, MB, (888) 454-1030.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 14, 2006