JAMES B. MORISON, M.D.

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JAMES B. MORISON, M.D. Passed away peacefully in his own home with the presence care and love of his wife and four sons the evening of Sunday, March 5, 2000. Jim Morison was born in Winnipeg on 23 February 1922, the son of Dr. David W and Anna C Morison. He is survived by his wife Doreen, and sons Charles, James, Keith and Glenn and Glenns wife Alex Merrill, grandchildren Matthew and Morag. He is also survived by his sister Jean Jones (Fred), and brothers Charles and Dave (Marion), brothers-in-law Max Macdonald, (Kathleen), Bob Macdonald (Margaret) and sister-in-law Helen Macdonald and numerous nephews and nieces. Jim received his education in Winnipeg, graduating from Kelvin High School in 1939. After wartime service in the RCAF, he continued his medical education at the University of Manitoba receiving his M.D. in 1950. He also studied at the University of Toronto and received his DPH in 1959. Jim was married in July 1951 to Doreen Macdonald, and proceeded overseas where he served with the Canadian government in London, Glasgow and the Hague. Returning to Canada in 1953 he joined his father in general practice and also worked at the Winnipeg Municipal Hospital in tuberculosis and later geriatrics. In September 1956 he joined the City of Winnipeg Health department with a particular responsibility in the field of nursing homes. In 1958 he received a fellowship from the National Council of Jewish Women to visit geriatric facilities in Scotland, England, and the Netherlands. Also, during this period he was involved in two surveys of smoking in Winnipeg Schools and the development of anti-smoking campaigns. He was a member of the National Advisory Council on Smoking and Health from 1962-64 and later served on the Canadian Council on Smoking and Health, as president in 1977. In November 1962 he joined the provincial government as Director of Health Services and in July of 1966 became Deputy Minister of Health. During this period he also held at times the portfolios of Social Services, Corrections, and Housing. He was involved in the development of Medicare and in October 1970 became the first Chairman and Executive Director of the Manitoba Health Services Commission. In September, 1971 he joined the staff of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba and served as Registrar for seventeen years until his retirement in 1989. Throughout his career he was active in other health related fields. He served as a member of the Faculty of Medicine at the University where he was an Associate Professor. He served with the Medical Council of Canada as an examiner in Public Health and from 1972-1989 being president of that Council in 1980. He was a member of many other health organizations and served as president of the Manitoba Public Health Association, The Canadian Public Health Association and The Winnipeg Medical Society. Jim shared his time and talents with a great number of community organizations. Some of these include the Junior Achievement Program, the Board of Age & Opportunity, the Rotary Club of Winnipeg (since 1957), a term on the Board of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, the steering committee for The Winnipeg Social Service Audit and the board of Villa Rosa including the role of chairman. In 1992 Jim and his wife spent four weeks in Latvia as volunteers with the Canadian Executive Services Organization reviewing a planned health insurance proposal. Jim and Doreen loved travel and have travelled across Canada and many foreign countries abroad. They have also enjoyed their Scottish heritage. Jim served as Honorary Physician and a board member of the St. Andrews Society of Winnipeg for many years. In 1996-97 he served as President of the Society. Jim was also deeply devoted to caring for his own family. One of the many ways he showed this was through his correspondence. In his twenties and thirties, during the times when he was away from his parents, he made it his habit to write home weekly. Many of these letters were saved and given to his sons as a well-appreciated record of his life. In the past twenty five years, each and every Sunday night he wrote to his adult children who had moved away. With the advent of electronic mail, his correspondence became even more regular and has included not only his own siblings but many extended family. Many will be missing this wonderful contact. Unknown to many would be the fact that Jim was affectionately known by his co-workers at theCollegeofPhysiciansandSurgeons as "J-Boom" and was called "The Big M" by his own family. The family wishes to extend most sincere thanks to Dr. Ian Maxwell and entire staff of the Oncology Department of Victoria Hospital and also deep appreciation for the care shown by Dr. Richard and Penny Blouw and the many others involved in his care. Special words of appreciation to family and friends who expressed concern and caring during Jims illness. The family will greet friends between the hours of two and five in the afternoon on Saturday, March 11 for friends and family at the Leatherdale Gardiner Funeral Chapel at 1501 Waverley St. Cremation and a private family service will be led by his son, Rev. Glenn Morison. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate to the Rotary Memorial Fund, 350 St. Mary Ave., Winnipeg R3C 3J2, or to the St. Andrews Society Trust Fund, P.O. Box 596, Winnipeg, R3C 2J3, or to the Victoria Hospital Oncology Department, 2340 Pembina Hwy., Winnipeg R3T 2E8, or to another charity of their choice. LEATHERDALE GARDINER 1501 Waverley Street949-4860

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 08, 2000