Obituary: John M. Elder, MD

He is survived by his wife, Janet, and children Matthew (Jane Baker), Katharine (James Deacon) and Stephen (Josée Maurice), and son-in-law David Powell, and eight grandchildren. His daughter Judith died in 2002.

John represented the third generation of physicians in the Elder family, all of whom were educated at McGill University, and prominent staff members of the university’s teaching hospitals. He served in the Royal Canadian Artillery in northwest Europe during the Second World War. After the war, John returned to McGill, entering the Medical School in 1947. He married Janet Dixon on Dec. 27, 1949. He graduated from McGill Medical School in 1951 and, after specializing in Pediatrics, entered private practice in 1956.

Among his many positions and achievements, John was medical director of the Mackay Centre (handicapped children), founding director of the Montreal Children’s Hospital Adolescent Clinic, director of the Montreal General Hospital Newborn Nursery, a board member of Camp Amy Molson and on the staff of the Children’s Service Centre. He is a past president of the Canadian Paediatric Society. His dedication to youth extended to the educational community, and he served several years as a commissioner for the Westmount Protestant School Board. John retired in 1997, but remained beloved by his former patients, some of whom would greet him on his frequent walks in his neighbourhood. His non-professional interests over the years included reading, golf, sailing and, above all, tending to the trees and shrubs at his beloved property at Lake Manitou. He was a dinnertime raconteur who loved the company of all age groups, even the youngest -- not surprising, given his chosen profession.

The funeral will take place Friday. November 17, 2006, at 2:00 pm at the chapel of Wray Walton Wray, 5610 Sherbrooke St. West, Montreal (corner Marcil Ave.). Visitation at the funeral home on Thursday, Nov. 16 , from 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation or charities connected with the above-mentioned organizations would be most appreciated.