PERRY, PAUL E MD, D Psych, FRCPC
September 29, 1935 to January 14, 2016
Paul died peacefully on his own terms after living with lymphoma for 20 years.
Born in Toronto, and raised in southern Ontario, Paul was the second child and first son of Ernest V Perry and his wife Florence (Ibbotson). Paul graduated in medicine from the University of Toronto in 1958 and completed his training in psychiatry in 1965. He practised psychiatry in Newmarket, Ontario, for 11 years before coming to Fredericton in 1976 at the inception of the Dr Everett Chalmers Hospital, as its first head of the Department of Psychiatry and Chief Psychiatrist, in which position he remained until retiring in 2000 on account of his chronic illness.
In addition to his practice, Paul participated in numerous conferences, task forces and professional associations, serving a term as president of the New Brunswick Psychiatric Association. Among numerous awards, Paul was elected a Life Member of the New Brunswick Medical Society in 2003.
Paul was predeceased by his loving partner and wife of more than four decades, Margo; survived by sons, Rev C Mark Perry (Barbara), the Ven Alan T Perry (Noel); daughters, Lisa F (Perry) Quaiattini (Michael) and Sara M Perry, all from an earlier marriage; stepson, Dr Timothy G Snell (Margie); stepdaughters, Jennifer G (Snell) Duguay (Mitchell) and Carolyn L Snell (Chris Wilby), all from Margo’s earlier marriage; and his and Margo’s daughter, Katharine "Kate" J Perry (Kyle Rostad). His beloved grandchildren, all of whom survive him, are Christina Perry (Mark), Emily and Nicola Perry (Alan), Mitchell and Hannah Duguay, Jonathan and Matthew Snell (Tim), Abigail and Nicholas Campbell (Carolyn), and Jenna Im (Sara). Also survived by sister, Ruth (Perry) Marshall (the late Jack) and by brother, Dave Perry (Maxine), as well as several nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews and numerous cousins.
All eight of his children and five of his ten grandchildren were present with Paul on his last day of life.
Paul was well respected by all. He sought opportunities to make the world a better place. Paul lived a life of integrity and dedication. He was dedicated to his family, to his patients, to his profession and to improving the system by which mental health care is delivered in New Brunswick and throughout Canada. He was a loving father and stepfather, and a devoted husband. Paul enjoyed skiing and golf, and sailing his boat at the cottage at Yoho Lake. He enjoyed reading, history and keeping abreast of current events. He loved the beauty found in nature, music and the arts. He had a quick wit, a keen sense of humour, and enjoyed wordplay and groan-worthy puns until the day he died. Most of all, Paul enjoyed people. He had numerous friends and loved entertaining. Paul delighted in his children and grandchildren, and never tired of hearing or sharing their stories and accomplishments.
Paul was devoted to his wife, Margo, and lovingly cared for her in her final years even as he was living with his lymphoma.
Paul’s family would like to acknowledge the thoughtfulness and caring of all Shannex Parkland staff over the past five years and as well to thank the staff of 4 SE at Dr Everett Chalmers Hospital for the excellent care they provided during the last days of Paul’s life. Among the many physicians and medical personnel who cared for Paul over the years, we would like to acknowledge Dr Steve Hart, Dr Ann Collins, Dr Claus Schaus, Dr Tom Peters and Dr Saleem Raza. Many others, too numerous to mention, were invaluable in helping Paul to enjoy a good quality of life.
A memorial gathering in honour of Paul’s life will be held in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul's memory may be made to Doctors Without Borders or to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Personal condolences to the family can be sent via www.mcadamsfh.com.