PETER GASKELL

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PETER GASKELL, M.D., Ph.D. June 24, 1917 - January 1, 2007 Peter Gaskell died peacefully at Charleswood Care Centre on January 1, 2007 in his 90th year. His memory will be forever cherished by his wife Kathleen, and his children, Mary and husband Brian, Jim and Eleanor. He will be sadly missed by his surviving brother John; his sisters-in-law, Lylas and Evelyn; and his brother-in-law John. He will also be lovingly remembered by 10 grand-children: Hilary, Fiona, Jillian, Neale, David, Joanne, Alison, Jeffery, Christopher and Wesley; and six great-grandchildren: Tremayne, Thomas, Mahalia, Garrett, Tyler, and Teyo; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Born in Hindley Green in Lancashire, England, Peter immigrated to London, ON with his family at the age of seven. As the eldest of five children, it was necessary for him to start work at age 16 after leaving technical school. His potential had already been recognized by a former teacher who encouraged him to apply for a drafting job with a doctor in the Department of Pathological Chemistry at the University of Western Ontario. This was to be a pattern in Peter's early working life. His diligence and creative ideas impressed those around him and he was encouraged and inspired to continue his studies while working. His plans were delayed by the start of the Second World War. He joined the RCAF and became a medical technical assistant with the rank of Flight Sergeant. As part of his work, he helped to develop oxygen masks for pilots that fitted a wide variety of face and nose shapes. Following the war, he enrolled in medical school under the veterans' program at the University of Western Ontario, graduating in June 1950 with a gold medal. He spent a year as a Medical Research Fellow at UWO, and then continued the fellowship at St. Thomas's Hospital Medical School in England. He moved to London with his family. His research led to a Ph.D. in Physiology in 1955 through the University of London. Following his Ph.D., he took a position in the Department of Physiology at the University of Manitoba where he remained until his retirement in 1982. During his tenure he was internationally recognized for his work in peripheral vascular circulation. He was a popular and superior teacher of cardiovascular physiology in medicine. He was honoured as Professor Emeritus in 1986. In 1937, as part of his academic studies, Peter decided to learn French, and engaged Kathleen Milligan as a tutor. Three years later they were married, and in 2006 celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. Together they raised a family of three children. In later years, they enjoyed travelling to Ireland and across Canada in order to spend time with children, grand-children, great-grandchildren and other extended family. People who knew Peter remember him as a true gentleman with a wonderful smile, and an infectious sense of humour. He had a great passion for gardening and spent countless hours creating a garden that was admired by many. His family would like to thank the staff at the Charleswood Care Centre for the excellent care that they provided him during his last two years, as well as the staff and residents of The Westhaven for their support and friendship. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Peter to the Health Sciences Centre Foundation, MS1 820 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, MB R3A 1R9, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 6 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6. A private family gathering took place prior to cremation.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 06, 2007