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DR. DAVID ALEXANDER IAN GREWAR
Born: Jul 04, 1921
Date of Passing: Apr 30, 2015
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryDR. DAVID ALEXANDER IAN GREWAR 1921 - 2015 It is with great sadness that the family of David Grewar announces his peaceful passing on Thursday, April 30, 2015, at the age of 93. As a stoic Scot and a wise and respected member of the medical profession David delivered the most accurate diagnosis of his own condition in his final days: "I'm just old." David leaves a large clan to cherish his memory: daughters Susan Moore, Fiona (Frank) Cantafio, and Katrina (Bruce) Montgomery; sons Colin (Lisa), Neil (Anne), Bruce (Cheryl), Ruairdh, and Peter (Lisa); grandchildren Nigel (Susan), Jill (Tyler), Miles (Kim), Leanne (Craig), Dean (Elicia), Amy (Paul), Carla (Chris), Emma, Chelsey, Shona, Paul, Tory and Ben; and great-grandchildren Olivia, Ira, and Henrik. He was predeceased by his wife, Dr. Margaret Joyce Grewar, and sister Betty (Elizabeth) Grewar. David was born in Dundee, Scotland on July 4, 1921. He obtained his medical degree from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where he also met and married fellow medical student Joyce Davies. In 1953 David came to Winnipeg to do a six month residency in pediatric medicine at Children's Hospital. The opportunity to perform ground-breaking work with Doctors Bruce Chown and Harry Medovy on RH disease in newborn babies convinced David that Winnipeg was where he wanted to stay, and in 1955 Joyce and their three daughters traveled from London, England to join him. David went on to practice as a pediatrician for more than 50 years, serving through Children's Hospital, the Shriner's Hospital, and St. Boniface Hospital, where he was chief of pediatrics. David also enjoyed teaching in the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Medicine. Perhaps the area of his practice that brought him the most joy was his service in the North. David had a passion for the North, and he was happiest working long hours delivering care to Aboriginal and Inuit families in communities like Berens River, Little Grand Rapids, Baker Lake, and Repulse Bay. In 2010 David was made a member of the Order of Manitoba, the highest honour in the province of Manitoba, for his "exceptional contribution to northern health care, particularly among the Aboriginal and Inuit children of northern Manitoba and Nunavut." It was one of many honours he received over his career, including the Manitoba Medical Association's Distinguished Service Award. David enjoyed the rare privilege of working for more than 50 years but never really considering it work at all. He loved what he did. He dedicated his life to his patients and their families, and his colleague doctors and nurses. He was available to them 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year until the day he retired at the age of 85. He brought caring, compassion, encouragement, comfort, hope and healing to thousands of families throughout Manitoba and the North who all have their own special memories of "Dr. Grewar". Time with his own family was precious. David leaves his children with many happy memories of summer afternoons at the cottage at Lac du Bonnet, long drives across the prairies to the mountains in the Volkswagon camper, Saturday visits to Mary Scorer Books, winter Sunday afternoons at the University swimming pool, debates around the dinner table and many evenings spent savouring a wee dram of malt and listening to recordings of Kenneth McKellar and Andy Stewart. David made sure his kids had tickets to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Manitoba Theatre Centre and Rainbow Stage, inspiring in them all a lifelong love for music, dance, theatre and literature - especially if it was Scottish! He was a humble man who valued family, thrift, a healthy diet, exercise, and education. Through the example he set, David taught his children that what is truly important in life is not what can be bought, but what can be learned. For many years David has joined a group of fellow St. Boniface doctors at "the Norwood" on Friday afternoons. In keeping with this longstanding tradition, please join the family for a celebration of David's life and achievements at the Norwood Hotel, 112 Marion St., on Friday, May 8, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Dr. Coates and the nurses and staff at St. Boniface Hospital who cared for him in his final days. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, Dr. David Grewar Lectureship Northern Medicine, CE501-840 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3A 1S1. Ph. 204-787-4000. THOMSON "IN THE PARK" 204-925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 07, 2015
Condolences & Memories (12 entries)
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Now he is at peace with the angels he was my orthopedic surgeon in the 1960s. - Posted by: joyce Lancaster (paitent) on: Feb 27, 2022
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Now he is at peace with the angels he was my orthopedic surgeon in the 1960s. - Posted by: joyce Lancaster (paitent) on: Feb 27, 2022
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I have not met Dr. Grewar but read much of him from my home in South Africa. I salute him as a distinguished member of our family who emigrated from Scotland, accepted a new land as his own and excel as a loved member of society. - Posted by: David Mc Kenzie Grewar (Family) on: Nov 05, 2015
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What a fantastic Tribute! - Posted by: Charles Crossin (Friend of his Rainbow Stage performing offspring) on: May 28, 2015
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David instilled in me a passion for pushing the boundaries for the pre term & term compromised newborns. One of the first memories as a trainee was doing an RH exchange transfusion at midnight in the NICU at SBGH (David, I and the RN (one of the Pats). His meticulous care and instruction was tutelage that I have never forgotten. David had a wonderful lexicon of words and his use of the English language sent me to the Oxford dictionary often. I have used him as a mentor in the past 45 years of practice in Winnipeg, Campbell River & Galiano BC. He will be missed and my thoughts are with his family. Brian - Posted by: Dr. Brian Russell, Paediatrician(retired) (Pupil,Colleague,Associate) on: May 12, 2015
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He was a fantastic human being with a heart of gold. It was certainly a great honor to have known him for such a short time. My heartfelt condolences to the family of this wonderful man. - Posted by: Rita Stephanson (worked with Dr. Grewar at the Berens River Nursing Station) on: May 07, 2015
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Our deepest sympathies to Susan, Fiona, Katrina, Colin, Neil, Bruce, Rod, Peter and families Remembering fun family dinners and great times at the cottage with your family. Your Dad's powerful and inspiring impact on the health of the children and their families which will leave a lasting positive influence on so many. He redefined what you think is possible, opening the way for others to see what can be done when you have the passion to help others,determination,wonderful sense of humour,oatmeal and Scottish resilience. His greatest legacy is his wonderful and talented family Our thoughts,love and prayers are with you all - Posted by: Maureen MacKay, Muriel Cummings Gordon MacKay , Kathy MacKay and families (friends, collegues) on: May 07, 2015
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I had the honour of working with Dr.Grewar not only in Churchill,MB, but also in Baker Lake Nu. He also was the doctor of my (as he so succinctly put it) ginormous daughter(she was almost 11lbs), when I delivered her. I have seen him bring babies in his arms, to and from the north, in his plaid flannel shirts and rolled up jeans.His knowledge was unbelievable and his memory of generations of Inuit patients phenomenal. The respect he garnered was well deserved. He believed in hands on assessment rather than relying solely on technology, and was never shy about saying things as they were. We would always try and guess his age and decipher his notes. While it has been a long time since I had worked with him, I still tell stories about how truly knowledgeable he was. Rest in peace sir, and I imagine you're back on your motorcycle. - Posted by: Rachael Dennie (Colleague, parent of patient) on: May 06, 2015
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My name is Mary-Ann Stewart and my son Joel was a patient of Dr. Grewar`s since birth. Joel has been sick since he was three months old and Dr. Grewar has been there for him since then. He is now forty-five years old and he is still fighting. If it wasn`t for Dr. Grewar, I would not have my son. Rest in peace Dr. Grewar and soar with the angels. Joel and I will see you again. Love Mary-Ann and Joel. - Posted by: MARY-ANN AND JOEL STEWAR (JOEL WAS A PATIENT OF DR. GREWAR'S SINCE BIRTH) on: May 06, 2015
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Great teacher! Very analytic He would always get down to the kids at their level!he will be missed greatly Harold Naiman M.D Las Vegas, Nevada - Posted by: Harold Naiman M .D (Student) on: May 05, 2015
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I had the pleasure of working with David in the Pediatric field at the Children's Hospital for some 20 years including trips to the North and with the SCCA. I would often find him in the hospital at 10 o'clock at night making rounds and seeing consults and would accuse him of keeping surgeon's hours to which he would always reply " Aye no way, surgeons go home at midnight!" David was a meticulous paediatrician and a tremendous asset to his profession and the children of Manitoba. Condolances to the family and to David "Good on you for a job well done!" Merv Letts - Posted by: Dr Merv Letts (Colleague) on: May 05, 2015
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Dr. Grewar... You were a wonderful man and a great friend. The way you were with the children on pediatrics and their families is one that we see very few of. A small stature of a man with a great big heart and friendly smile is what I will remember Dr. Grewar as. The life of my child was saved due to his constant being at the hospital with Dr. MacDonald and I had little Wayne for 4 years rather than a shorter span in his little life due to Dr. Grewar's wealth of knowledge and constant watching this little child with a very bad heart condition. Dr. Grewar rest in peace among the angels and be with all the little ones you were there for. You will be missed but your life on earth is done. Renate - Posted by: Mrs. Renate Gardy ( nee Lohr/Schjerning ) (Co - Worker and Friend) on: May 05, 2015
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