CHARMAN, DR. JOHN - Dr. John "Jack" H. Charman, F.R.C.S. (C), of Smith’s Cove and Halifax, NS, died on December 3, 2014. Jack was born in Wallace, NS. He is a son of Nova Scotia; educated there and a life-long resident. He earned his medical degree at Dalhousie University in 1943. He spent the next two years as a medical officer with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps serving in the European theatre, largely in Holland and France. After the war, Jack resumed medical training and ultimately was rewarded with a fellowship in the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada. Over the next few years, Dr. Charman practiced as a consultant and surgeon in several Halifax area hospitals, including Stadacona Naval Hospital, the IWK Children’s Hospital, Camp Hill Hospital, Halifax Infirmary, and the Victoria General Hospital. In time, though, he narrowed his practice to the VG Hospital, where he headed the Surgery B service for a quarter century. He was also an Associate Professor of Surgery at Dalhousie University. During his career, Dr. Charman chaired several medical society committees, including those of ethics, finance, and fees. He served as president of the Halifax Medical Society, chairman of the NS Medical Society, and was for more than 15 years a member of the Canadian Medical Protective Association. He also served on the board of the YMCA, the United Appeal, and the Dalhousie University Fund Drive. Notwithstanding these significant contributions, Dr. Charman will be remembered most for both his superb surgical feats and his respectful, caring manner in dealing with patients and their families. After this retirement, Jack and his wife Dev, indulged full-time in their passions for gardening and golf, spending summers in the Digby area, and until recent years, winters in Sarasota, Florida. He was very involved with the Maritime Seniors Golf Association, serving on the board and later as president. At the time of his death, he was residing at Parkland at the Gardens in Halifax. He was predeceased by his parents Mel and Mabel Charman and his cousin Millard Charman. He is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Mabel de Varennes, and his children from his first marriage; son, David (Doreen) Halifax and a daughter, Judy MacLellan (Peter), Smith’s Cove; grandchildren from Dave’s family are John (Lori), Bridgewater, Kevin (Line) Anagance, NB, Sam (Jackie) Halifax, Caitlin, St. John’s NL. Children from Judy’s family are Scott (Ryoko), NY, Jamie (Claudia), Dartmouth and Allison (Jeff Garber), Bedford. Jack is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren. Jack will be missed terribly by his wife and family who loved him dearly.
By request there will be no visitation. Family memorial service will be held at a later date with burial in the spring in Wallace, NS. There will be a reception for friends and family in the Great Hall, Parkland at the Gardens, 5732 College Street / All Saints Cathedral on Saturday, December 13, 2014 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. To leave an online condolence please visit www.jasnowfuneralhome.com