JAMES MCGOEY

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JAMES MCGOEY James McGoey died peacefully at Charleswood Care Centre on Sunday, August 31, 2008. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Helen, daughters Theresa Parrish (Bill) and Susan McGoey, son, Fred McGoey and grandsons Sam and Ben Parrish. He also leaves his brothers John and Frank and sister Kathleen McGoey. He was predeceased by two sons, Patrick and Michael and a daughter, Margaret, as well as two brothers, Joseph and Sylvester. Jim was born in Regina, SK at the Grey Nuns Hospital. He lived the first year of his life in the hospital because his mother was hospitalized. Perhaps this is where he acquired his life-long love of everything medical. His father was a station master with the CPR and Jim grew up with his four brothers and one sister in Saskatchewan. Jim spoke very fondly of his childhood years and was proud his Saskatchewan roots. Their father kept the family busy with activities; baseball every spring, soccer in the fall and hockey in the winter. Mrs. McGoey stressed education and Jim and his siblings were expected to work hard at school. After Jim completed Grade 12, he joined his brother John in Regina at Campion College for two years where he studied Arts and later to St. Paul's College in Winnipeg for further studies. When Jim decided to pursue medicine, he enrolled at University of Saskatchewan, where he took two years of science and his first two years of medicine. He then transferred to Toronto to complete his medical degree because the University of Saskatchewan did not have a complete medical school at the time. Immediately, upon graduation in 1943, he began active duty in the army. He had enlisted while still in school and would go to Camp Borden for training on the weekends. During the war, Jim was stationed at the Citadel in Halifax and at hospital in London, and latterly made several crossings of the Atlantic on the Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and the Normandy. He enjoyed telling stories about these journeys and the highlights for him were meeting Winston Churchill and Eleanor Roosevelt. When Jim was discharged from the army, he set up a general practice in Wilkie, SK. After two years in Wilkie, Jim returned to Toronto to take the Galley Course, a five-year surgical training course. While in Toronto, he worked at the Toronto General Hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children and St. Michael's Hospital, where he met his future wife, Helen, who worked as a nurse there. After completing his residency in Toronto, Jim went to Cornell University in New York for a further two years of training in thoracic surgery. He and Helen enjoyed living in New York for two years, but upon the completion of Jim's training, they moved to Winnipeg in 1955 and Jim set up his practice. Jim truly loved his work throughout his career. He really cared for his patients, loved teaching and thrived in the hospital environment. He enjoyed an especially long and successful association with St. Boniface Hospital, where he worked for many years. Jim always had tremendous energy and worked long hours, seven days a week, yet he was also involved in many aspects of life outside of his medical career. He was involved for many years with MD Management and was especially proud of his involvement in the early days of the company, which has since helped many physicians better plan for their retirement. He also had a long association with the St. Boniface Research Foundation, the Fidelity Trust Company, St. Amant Centre and Winnipeg Enterprises. Politics was always a favourite subject of Jim's and for many years he was an organizer and fundraiser for the Liberal Party. He maintained very close friendships with many of his political pals throughout his life and never tired of talking about politics no matter how much you wanted him to. Jim also loved sports and was a long-time member of the Winnipeg Winter Club, where he played squash for many years and latterly faithfully used the fitness facilities and steam room. Golf was one of his favourite pastimes and he loved golfing at St. Charles through the years. In his younger days, he was an accomplished golfer, keeping his handicap under ten for many years. He continued to golf until two years ago, and it was always fun to golf with him because of his humourous expressions and running commentary on his play. Jim also loved the Manitoba Club, of which he was also a long-time member. It was his favourite place to have dinner because they always had freshly-baked cookies for dessert. Upon Jim's retirement, he became a prolific letter-writer as he took it upon himself to save Canada's health-care system . He spent countless hours crafting beautifully written letters to various politicians, members of provincial and national medical associations as well as newspapers and periodicals. Also upon retirement, Jim took up painting with a vengeance. He enrolled in several classes at the Art Gallery and set up a studio in his office at 400 Tache. Jim was a prolific artist and framed every one of his creations. Another one of his passions was playing the piano. He initially took lessons as a boy, but continued to take lessons as an adult for many years and played every day of his life until the last few months. Jim was also a prolific reader and was at the library every week picking up the latest books on his list. He always had several books on the go, mainly biographies and histories, as well as newspapers and periodicals piled up everywhere ready to be read at any time. Jim was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He really made the most of every aspect of his life. Jim had endless energy and curiosity and was genuinely interested in his work, family, friends and pastimes. And his sense of humour was just wonderful. He could phrase his words so well and his timing was impeccable. He was always interesting to be with and always could make you smile. Jim spent the last months of his life as a resident of Charleswood Care Home. His family will be forever grateful to the wonderful care that he received there. He was always treated with such respect and he was so appreciative of everything the staff did for him. His last days were very peaceful and he was allowed to die in dignity thanks to the understanding and loving care that he continued to receive until the end. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire a donation can be made in Jim's name to the St. Boniface Research Foundation or the St. Amant Centre. A private family funeral mass has been held. The family requests that Jim's friends remember him in their own way. The Coutu family in care of arrangements: E.J. Coutu Co. Funeral Directors

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 06, 2008