FRANK JAMIESON SELLERS

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FRANK JAMIESON SELLERS B.Sc. (Med.), M.D.C.M., F.R.C.P.S. (C) March 10, 1928 May 31, 2014 Peacefully and with the quiet dignity he possessed throughout his life, Frank Sellers, aged 86, died at home in Winnipeg on May 31, 2014. He will be lovingly missed by his wife of 53 years, Hannah, children Gordon (Laura), Todd, and Elizabeth (Michael) and grandchildren Madeline (Avi), Conor and Duncan. Frank was born and raised in Winnipeg. He trained at the Minto Skating Club in Ottawa winning the Canadian Men's Junior National Figure Skating Championship in 1944. Frank attended the University of Manitoba and Queen's University, from which he graduated with a Doctorate of Medicine and Master of Surgery degree in 1955, following which he trained in paediatrics and paediatric cardiology at the Winnipeg Children's Hospital, the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children, and the Mayo Clinic. A lifelong teacher with a special interest in helping sick children, Frank began his career in 1963 at the University of Saskatchewan and as a paediatric cardiologist at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. In 1970, Frank and family moved to Ottawa, to take up the task of helping to establish the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). He became the first head of the Department of Paediatric Cardiology when CHEO opened its doors in 1974 a position he held until retirement in 1988. He was the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee and Member of the Board of Trustees of CHEO from 1974 to 1977 and Acting Chief of Paediatrics at CHEO from 1978 to 1980. Frank also served on the Executive of the University of Ottawa Cardiac Unit (Heart Institute) from 1970 until he retired. Frank was passionate about CHEO and proud of its development into a modern institution of excellence for the care of sick children and youth. Frank achieved the rank of Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Ottawa in 1975. In 1978, he was selected as the University's representative to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. He was subsequently elected as President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario for 1983 and 1984. In 1988, Frank was appointed as the medical member on the Canadian Federal/Provincial/Territorial Review of Liability and Compensation Issues in Health Care, which issued its report to governments in 1990. Frank loved spending time with family at the cottage in Minaki, ON a passion that endured his entire life and which he passed on to his children and grandchildren. After retirement, Frank and Hannah moved to Minaki, spending five months there each year with winters in Winnipeg. The family wishes to extend their thanks to Debbie and Judy, and his other care givers, who provided Frank with compassionate and dignified care. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation, 415 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M8, the Minaki Foundation, Box 109, Minaki, ON P0X 1J0, or to a charity of one's choice. A family celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 07, 2014