DR. JOHN WEEKS C.D., M.D.

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

DR. JOHN WEEKS C.D., M.D. (Lond), Dobst RCOG, D.I.H., LMCC, FFOM, FCBOM. Dr. J. L. Weeks died in Pinawa, MB, on October 15, 2006. John Weeks was born May 10, 1926 in Bath, England where he received his early education. Joining the British Army as a private soldier in 1943, he transferred to the Indian Army and was commissioned into the 9th Gurkha Rifles. He was demobilized with the rank of Captain in 1947 after service in India and the Far East. The provisions made for returning ex-servicemen enabled him to enter St. Thomas's Hospital Medical School where he graduated M.B., B.S. in 1953. After appointments at St. Thomas's and at St. Helier Hospital Carshalton, he joined the then London Transport Executive in 1955. In occupational medicine, John Weeks found a career that, with the exception of a two year spell as a family physician in a remote part of Newfoundland, he served for the rest of his working life. John and his family emigrated to Canada in 1958 where he worked in the forestry, mining and nuclear industries until 1992 when he retired. Describing himself as a shop-floor plant physician , he also conceived and implemented major research projects in the fields of toxicology and epidemiology. He was a competent administrator, but had little patience with self perpetuating administrative complexity. John Weeks devoted a great deal of his time and energy to the development of occupational medicine as a specialty in Canada, and was an examiner for the Royal College of Physicians (Canada). From 1989 to 1991 he was president of the Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine. In 1993 he received the Meritorious Service Award of the Occupational and Environmental Medical Association of Canada and in 1995 the Health and Safety Award of the Manitoba Medical Association. Outside of medicine he was widely read in history, particularly aviation history and in the Arts. For more than 40 years he made his home in the Canadian bush, the wide open spaces of which he much enjoyed. He was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration in 1984. A man devoted to his family, he is survived by his wife Mari-Ann, children Annika (Peter), Kristin (Bill), Andy (Ila), Bess (Brad) and Björn, grandchildren Vivian, Peter and Nicole Evans, Dyan and Leigh Weeks, and Caleb and Carl Dowler, as well as great-grandchild Penelope Van Dorne. He is also survived by cousin Geordie Evans and his family. His family would like to extend deepest thanks for the kindness of the hospital staff who provided outstanding attention and support to the entire family through his final weeks. Cremation has taken place, and in accordance with his last wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial services. SOBERING FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM, Beausejour 268-3510 or MB Toll Free 1-877-776-2220

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 21, 2006