WILLIAM GEORGE NEWMAN, M.D.

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WILLIAM GEORGE NEWMAN, M.D. Peacefully, on July 12, 2000 in Winnipeg, Man., close to those he loved. Dr. Bill Newman was born in Winnipeg on December 20, 1918 and was raised and received his education there. After graduating from the University of Manitobas School of Medicine in 1942, he interned at the Winnipeg General Hospital, entering general practice the following year. Bill and Myra Joanne Morrison were married on February 27, 1943 in Winnipeg, where they raised their four children. He served in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps during the Second World War, afterwards resuming general practice first in the Royal Trust Building and then in the Medical Arts Building. A superb administrator, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Medical Arts Building beginning in 1956, becoming Chairman from 1963 until his retirement in 1990. He was instrumental in the design and construction of the present Medical Arts Building and the adjoining Parkade. In his honour, the Doctors Lounge was renamed "The Dr. W.G. Newman Lounge". He also served as Chief of Staff of Grace Hospital for a number of years. Bill was truly a doctor of the old school. He made house calls by the thousands, delivered over 3500 babies and carried on an active general practice for more than 43 years. He was devoted to the practice of medicine, and his patients received dedicated care of a kind virtually unknown today. His retirement, due to poor health, was deeply regretted. Bill loved the outdoors and was active in causes relating to conservation and game refuges. In his youth he enjoyed target shooting and over the years held executive positions in various rifle and trapshooting associations. He received the Canadian Centennial Medal in 1967 and an award from the U.S.A. Rifle Team for special assistance at the 1967 Pan Am Games. He incorporated the Aspen Gun Club in 1988. Predeceased by his parents, Myna Lillian Marks Newman and George Newman of Winnipeg and his brother Richard Newman of Dundas, Ont. Bill is survived by his wife Myra; his brother Philip; his daughter Cynthia Newman (Clancy Smith) his daughter Margo (Bob) Johnston; his daughter Sherrie (Cam) Sparling; his son George (Claire Sabourin) his eight grandchildren, Aaron Newman (Diane Waligura), Ayrlia Star Newman (Eric Finley), Ramona and Kristopher Johnston, Melanie (Trevor) McComb, Jason (Charlene) Sparling, and Gem and Shawn Newman. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Aria Rose Finley and Lisa Renee Sparling. Bill was a brilliant and insightful thinker gifted with an inquiring mind and encyclopaedic memory which led him on a quest for knowledge that continued throughout his life. He was a loving, compassionate and witty man who will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all those who knew and loved him. "I shall pass through this world but once; if therefore there is any good that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now; let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." "The mass of men live lives of quiet desperation. I choose to live completely, to front only the essential facts of life, to see if I can learn what is has to reach, and not, when I come to die, discover that I have not lived." A Memorial Service and reception will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19 in Thomson Funeral Chapels, 669 Broadway. The Newman family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Dr. David Young and all the doctors, nurses and staff of the Victoria General Hospital Intensive Care Unit and Unit 5 for the dedicated, compassionate and cheerful care of Dr. Bill Newman. We do believe you "gave it your best shot". In Bills memory, donations, if desired, may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba a, 301, 352 Donald Street, Winnipeg, R3B 3H9, the Victoria General Hospital Foundation, 2340 Pembina Highway, Winnipeg, R3T 3L9 or the Winnipeg Humane Society, 5 Kent Street, Winnipeg, R2L 1X3. THOMSON FUNERAL CHAPELS 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 15, 2000