Faculty of Medicine
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Phillip Simms grew up and was educated in St. John's. He graduated from Memorial's medical school in 1976 and practised rural family medicine in Northern Ontario for 18 years. He took pride in his work and his Newfoundland heritage.
During those turbulent years between rowdy adolescence and staid adulthood, Philip Simms and I were the best of buddies. We played the guitar together most every day for five years. We became close musically as well as emotionally.
Being two years ahead in med school, I was able to "explain" anatomy, physiology and the like; something we did...once... late one night in 1972. By 1976 I had finished a residency in family medicine and was off to practise in Carbonear, while Phil and his wife Leslie headed to the Northern Ontario town of New Lyskard.
Phil was always a most sensible chap. Early on in his practice he became seriously ill and had to take medication. Once recovered, he formulated a plan to prevent a recurrence by restricting his hours and taking time off after an on-call day. His plan worked, and he led a fulfilling and happy life as he and Leslie raised their three children: Matthew, Jonathan and Carolyn.
Phil loved to "play out" -- a term he used to describe our public, musical performances with his brothers Colin and Doug, as well as an assortment of other musical types (like Willie Arsenault, Class of 1975 and Harold Crewe, Class of 1976). In New Liskeard, he was still "playing out" for his church, family and friends. He and Leslie would lead community and private sing-a-longs so often that they developed a file containing dozens and songs with 20 copies each.
Almost everybody knows the chorus and a line or two of some songs, but few people know all the words to all the songs. So Phil would show up with the music, chords and words to keep the fun going. Through his music, he helped love grow within whatever group was lucky enough to have him.
When I visited Phil last March at the cancer treatment centre in Sudbury, he was still at it: leading the nightly sing-a-long for his fellow patients and their families. Despite not being able to play his guitar because of his weakened right side, he remained forever the trouper, strumming Leslie's auto harp and encouraging all hands to join in. What a sight!
Despite out distant locales, we kept in touch. We met in Toronto a couple of times, and got together whenever he'd return to St. John's for a visit. We exchanged Christmas cards and talked on the phone.
I feel a deep regret that I was not of more help to him in his last months and days. But regrets are the minor chords of grief and we can all join in that chorus. Regrets are inevitable and will diminish with time and talk and tears.
Phil faced his last months with a strength that is inspiring. He never complained or railed out against his fate. He took what was put in front of him, spending his final energies to prepare his family for what he knew was his future and his end. He left them with instructions for his care, including prudent advice and guidance on which to reflect after he had played his last. He left these instructions early on in his illness because he knew he would not be able to do so as the end approached.
He was a good doctor, a fine father and husband, and -- for me -- a friend. We miss him.
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Dr. Gordon Thomas, former executive director of the International Grenfell Association, died Oct. 17 in Halifax at the age of 76.
Dr. Thomas was well known for his contribution to the health of the people of this province through his work with the Grenfell Association, but he was also a former clinical professor of surgery at Memorial University, and an honorary graduate.
Dr. Thomas was born in Ottawa and educated at McGill University. He came to St. Anthony in 1946 as medical officer and surgeon for the Grenfell Association. He was appointed executive director and surgeon-in-chief of the International Grenfell Association in 1960 -- positions he held until 1977. From 1977-95 he was honorary chairman of the board of the International Grenfell Association.
Dr. Thomas will be remembered for his commitment to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador; among the many initiatives he spearheaded was the introduction of the first complete regional hospital service in St. Anthony.
In the oration written for Dr. Thomas when he received an honorary D.Sc. at Memorial in 1977, Dr. William Pryse-Phillips described him as "a man of iron will who has insisted in his every action that the meanness of the land has generated the majesty of its people and who has, in response, provided, both for now and for later, [a] system of medical care of national standard which is theirs by right and not by privilege. "
In addition to being a member of the Memorial University community, Dr. Thomas held an associate professorship at Dalhousie University, and received honorary degrees from Dalhousie and Acadia University. He was also an officer of the Order of Canada, officer of the Order of St. John, and a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.
At the time of his death, Dr. Thomas lived in Mabou, N.S., and was honorary chairman of the Grenfell Regional Health Services Board. He is survived by his wife Patricia (Lister) Thomas, two daughters and one son, 10 grandchildren, and many other relatives, friends and colleagues.
Last updated 18 Jun 1997 by 