W. BLAIR ORSER, MD, CD - Dr. W. Blair Orser, long-time physician and community builder, passed away in Fredericton, on January 21, 2015. He was 89. Blair, son of Arnold and Edna (Nicholson) Orser was born in Windsor, NB on April 16, 1925. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Anne (Oxley), their children, David (Cathy), Paul (Lynn), Carol Whetter (Ryan) and Beth Shea (John). He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Chris, Erika, Craig, Hugh, Eric, Cleo and Isaac Whetter and Erin Shea. After graduating from the Carleton County Grammar School in 1943, Blair received his BSc (UNB) in 1947, and MSc (University of Western Ontario) in 1949 and an MD (Dalhousie) in 1954. After a short time practicing medicine in Saint John, he and Anne moved to Bathurst in 1955 where he practiced family medicine until 1971 when he became the Medical Officer and later Medical Director at Brunswick Mining and Smelting, retiring in 1988. Very active in the community and medical fraternity, Blair served as Mayor of Bathurst from 1971-74. His administration implemented a number of major successful initiatives including a modernization of City governance and initiation of large investments in water and treatment facilities which resulted in putting Bathurst years ahead of its counterparts in that area. He was the first chairman of School District 4, a member of the Canadian Forces Militia, President of the New Brunswick Medical Society (1965) and held a number of posts with St. John Ambulance including the role of Provincial Commissioner from 1984 to 1988. Other community involvement included a very active role in the UNB Associated Alumni, he was a Knight in the Order of St. John, President of the Bathurst Rotary Club, Past President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and President of the Fredericton Branch of the United Empire Loyalists. In addition to professional and community participation and achievement, Anne and Blair had many close friends, entertained and traveled widely and they and their children enjoyed all the best the Bathurst area, and later Fredericton, offered.
Visitation will be held at McAdam’s Funeral Home, on Friday, January 23, 2015 from 6 to 8 pm. A service to celebrate his life will be held at the J. A. McAdam Memorial Chapel, on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 1:00 pm with a reception to follow. Online condolences can be left at www.mcadamsfh.com