DENIS ESMOND YATES

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"REST AND BE THANKFUL" - DENIS ESMOND YATES Dr. Denis Yates, husband for 60 years to Paddy, father of seven daughters and once voted "Best Lambdad Ever" by his 17 grandchildren, died peacefully in the Virden District Hospital on May 25, 2003. Born in London, England, December 31, 1919, he was brought to Canada by the Canadian Army with his family, serving from Winnipeg to Whitehorse, from Calgary to Korea. He finally settled into practice in Virden, MB, where the family thrived. In the Yates large family home, he mended everything that fell apart, constantly re-configuring the big brick house to suit the familys changing needs. Nothing was too much for his patients; he cared for their physical as well as mental healing. He studied and read constantly. Denis loved the younger doctors in the practice, whom he taught and from whom he learned. He once said, "Being a doctor is not my job, its who I am." He loathed committees, loved individuals. Denis adapted to the prairies with passion. On countless camping traipses across Canada, he talked of how lucky he was to have come to such a glorious country. Fellow campers were astounded when the Yates family and their 16 dolls poured out of the old station wagon, erected two tents and a kitchen, blew up nine air mattresses, swept the site and sat down to a dinner in less than an hour. Good table manners were de rigeur. Around the camp or the dinner table, we talked about art and books, people, the art of medicine, politics and other passions. Laughter, tears and music were a constant in family life. He never dominated, but always challenged. Paddy and Denis had the kind of marriage everyone looked for, but few found. Always a loving man, he didnt go quietly into the dark night of death, loathe to leave his beloved Patricia behind. He died as he lived, gracefully and with dignity, surrounded by his family. Funeral service was held at St. Marys Anglican Church in Virden, MB on May 28. If friends so desire donations may be made to Virden District Health Auxiliary Remembrance Fund, Virden, MB.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 25, 2003