JOHN CHOATE

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JOHN CHOATE Peacefully, with family by his side, John Choate passed away at Bethesda Place in Steinbach on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at the age of 84 years. John was predeceased by his wife Eileen in 1999, and is lovingly remembered by his children, Catherine Clincke (Winnipeg), Gordon (Deirdre) Choate (Calgary), and Robert Choate (Winnipeg), and grandchildren, Evan and Sarah Choate (Calgary) and Kevin and Ian Choate (Winnipeg). He is survived by his brother Deryck (Stella), sister Marguerite MacKinnon and will be fondly remembered by his numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. John was born in Red Deer, Alberta on June 15, 1925 with his twin brother Deryck. John, Deryck, and their sister Marguerite were raised on a farm during the Depression. John always knew he wanted to be a doctor, and put himself through university and medical school at the University of Manitoba by working over the years in the steel mills of Trail, BC, in Dawson Creek, BC on the construction of the Alaska highway, and as a carpenter and ambulance driver. While finishing his medical internship in Winnipeg, he met the love of his life, Ruth Eileen Elliott, and they married in 1955 and chose to settle in the nearby community of Steinbach. John and Eileen raised their three children in Steinbach, and he dedicated his career to the care of the people of Steinbach and the surrounding communities. Until his retirement in 1985, he served as a family doctor, surgeon, obstetrician, and spent a portion of his time as coroner for South East Manitoba. John served as Chief of Staff and on the Board of Directors of Steinbach's Bethesda Hospital, and was one of the last generation of doctors that still made house calls, day or night. John once estimated that over the course of his career in Steinbach, he assisted the delivery of nearly 4,000 babies. Along with his medical practice, John was passionate about flying and his family's cabin at Falcon Lake. John and Eileen were active in the Steinbach community with the United Church and Kinsmen organization, and following his retirement they remained in Steinbach. The family would like to express their deep gratitude and appreciation to the nurses and staff at Bethesda Place for the loving care and friendship provided to John in the last years of his life. A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 19 at 1:00 p.m. at the Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church, 360 McKenzie St., Steinbach. In lieu of flowers, donations in John's memory to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 10 - 120 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2 or CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9 would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel 1-204-346-1030 or 1-888-454-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 12, 2009