DR. MORLEY SINGER

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DR. MORLEY SINGER
December 16, 1936 - February 9, 2021

Dr. Morley Singer, born in Winnipeg, a resident of San Francisco and Sausalito for over 50 years, passed away peacefully at age 84.
Morley Singer is survived by his loving sister Gail Singer of Toronto, and his step-family: Pam Bonnell, her granddaughters, Jen (Scott) and Melissa (Mark) and their children, Maya, Will, Sam and Kayleigh, all of Canada, and his ever present sweet canine companion Shaina.
Predeceased by beloved wife Betty (Wintrup, born in Winnipeg) (died May 9, 2019). Morley was born in North End Winnipeg to Louis and Bertha Singer. He graduated medical school at University of Manitoba and was a recipient of an Isbister Scholarship.
Of his many accomplishments Morley was most proud of designing one of the first intensive care units in the USA at the University of California San Francisco Medical Centre and serving as its first medical director. Many of his former UCSF students and colleagues were able to visit and reminisce with Morley prior to his death, which brought him - and them - great joy.
Additionally, he inspired and implemented the Anaesthesia Department at Hadassah Medical Center in Israel. Both endeavours occurred in the 1970s. He went on to a successful decades long practice in anaesthesiology in San Francisco.
A passionate lifelong athlete, Morley was an accomplished sailor, cross-country and downhill skier. He helped establish, build and manage a permanent tennis court site in Bear Valley, which held a particularly important place in Morley's heart.
Morley and his late wife Betty spent summers and many winters in Bear Valley where they developed deep friendships with a fascinating cross section of people. Morley enjoyed skiing, cycling, swimming, entertaining friends at Betty's exquisite dinner parties. And, Dr. Singer was always on call to his friends and neighbours in Bear Valley for medical emergencies.
The richness of life in Bear Valley and San Francisco was supplemented by Morley and Betty's yearly vacation in Santa Barbara with his sister Gail and life long friends. Morley and Betty also travelled to Gail's homes in Toronto and Kinmount for Canadian Thanksgiving celebrations with extended family and a host of dear Toronto and Winnipeg friends.
In recent years Morley was an outspoken advocate for the maintaining of San Francisco's unique Sutro Forest against the unprincipled development projects of the University of California, (UCSF). Still, his admiration and appreciation for the university's academic integrity never wavered and he was a proud recipient of the honours bestowed upon him by the university as an Emeritus Professor.
In the recent past Morley fulfilled a dream. His houseboat in Sausalito gave him enormous joy and an opportunity to share it with family and friends from nearby and far away, most recently the Balazar family from France .
Morley examined the richness of his life and relationships and like many of his life decisions he made his own final choice. During his last days Morley was moved by the many friends and colleagues who expressed their admiration and love for him, and the impact his encouragement, humour and inspiration had on their lives.
Morley had a gift for deep and lasting friendship; including many dating back to his childhood in Winnipeg.
When we can gather again, Gail will invite friends to celebrate Morley's life with food, drink and many stories.
A very special thank you to Dr. Lester Jacobson and George and Maura Cruz and family for their devotion and generosity.

You may send messages to zingerfilm@sympatico.ca.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 19, 2021, Feb 20, 2021