MD, FRCP, Paediatrics
February 9, 1920 - August 5, 2015
Died peacefully at the Caribou Memorial Veteran's Pavilion Douglas Charles Simms, MD of St. John's at the age of 95. Predeceased by his parents, Robert Simms and Ethel Fox, his wife Dorothy McKay Simms (2007) and son Philip Gary Simms MD (1996), grandson Michael, son-in-law Brian Adams, MD (1988), brother Dr. Bob Simms (2011) of St. John's and sister Elizabeth (Betty) McClure (2002), ON. Remaining are his children Judy Simms (John) of Prince George, BC, Greg (Mary) of Aurora, ON, Richard (Diana) of Alliston, ON, Doug (Melva) of Corner Brook, NL and Colin (Susan) and Andrea of St. John's, NL as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues. "Dr. Doug" as he was known, practiced general medicine and pediatrics for many years in Newfoundland, notably at #31 Queen's Road in St. John's from 1953 - 1989 with his brother Dr. Bob Simms. He lived on Victoria and Gower Streets, St. John's with his family and was schooled at St. Bonaventure's College from 1925 - 1937 where he excelled academically and athletically. Following premedical studies at Memorial College, Parade Street, Doug graduated from Dalhousie Medical School in 1943 at the age of 23 and immediately joined the Canadian Army as a WW2 medical officer, training in Barrie and Borden, Ontario and later Victoria, British Columbia, achieving the rank of Captain. On November 25 of that year he married Dorothy McKay of Halifax in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Doug served overseas from 1944 - 1946 in the war effort and was stationed in Holland, England and Germany while Dorothy remained in Halifax with the first of their seven children, Judy. Our Dad tells the tale of his voyage on the great ship SS Isle de France (retrofitted for war use) leaving from Halifax, February 14, 1944 and carrying thousands of Canadian soldiers and supplies. He said they "zig-zagged all the way across the Atlantic to Greenock, Scotland to avoid those menacing German U boats." Following the end of WW2 Doug returned to Halifax from active medical duty and accepted a position as family doctor with Dominion Iron and Steel Company in Aguathuna on the Port-au-Port Peninsula. Doug, Dorothy and their three children remained there from 1947 - 1949. In 1949, Doug and family left Newfoundland for Montréal where he began his residency in pediatrics at the Montréal Memorial Children's Hospital. While his work and studies were rigorous, he and Dorothy enjoyed immensely the post-war excitement and character of that city. In 1951, they returned to St. John's. Doug practiced briefly in Millertown as a family doctor serving the local community and logging company. Soon after he accepted a staff position as pediatrician at St. Clare's Mercy Hospital, The Salvation Army Grace General Hospital and later the Dr. Charles A. Janeway Children's Hospital. He established his office at #24 and later (1953) at #31 Queen's Road, Downtown, St. John's. Throughout that period Doug had the pleasure of practicing pediatrics on Queen's Road with his brother Dr. Bob Simms, Dr. Jim Ryan, Dr. Pat Whelan and Dr. Tolson Smith. Doug and Dorothy enjoyed travelling locally and abroad, often in search of fine weather. In the summer of 1967 Doug and Dorothy with their children moved to British Columbia. He opened his office in Richmond after accepting a replacement position. In the latter part of 1968 the family returned to St. John's and Doug resumed his practice at #31 Queens's Road. While family and his medical practice were Doug's priorities he was an avid outdoorsman spending vacation with his boys and brother Bob on the island in search of trout and in the Fall hunting rabbits, sea ducks and partridge. He had fond memories of many friend and patients throughout Newfoundland with whom he hunted and fished: The Molloy's of St. Shotts, Mr. Rodway of Baine Hr., Jack Beck of Swift Current, Frank Corbett, Allan Martin, Jack Kearsey and John Gibson of St. John's. Our Dad will be greatly missed. May he now be at peace. As Dad wished, cremation has taken place. Resting at Caul?s Funeral Home, LeMarchant Road. Visitation will be on Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, August 10 at 9:30 a.m. from St. Pius X Church. Inurnment to follow at Belvedere Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada.