September 25, 1923 – September 6, 2016

Alex McDougall died on September 6, 2016. Alex was born on September 25, 1923 and grew up in Haney, British Columbia. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Honors English and History from the University of B.C. in 1944. He then served with the Canadian Number One Special Wireless Signal Corp in the South West Pacific from 1944 to 1946, and received the Pacific Star medal of honor for his war service efforts. On his return from the war he undertook his medical training at the University of Toronto, graduating in 1951. Alex interned at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, where he met his soul mate and wife of 62 years, Marguerita MacRae. He practiced family medicine in Williams Lake (1952 to 1953 and then Kamloops (1953 to 1975). He was a superb diagnostician and a compassionate and caring family physician. He was elected and served as the Chief of Medical Staff of the Royal Inland Hospital from 1969 to 1975. He was awarded the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 for his outstanding dedication to his country and community in the advancement of medical services. In 1975 he was appointed as the Medical Officer to the Kamloops Workers Compensation Board office and in 1978 was transferred to the head office in Richmond as the Assistant Medical Director. He subsequently served as the Executive Director of Medical Services of the Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia from 1981 to 1988. From the time of his retirement from full time service with the WCB to his stroke in May 2001, he continued to provide consultative medical service for the WCB and part time work for Criminal Injuries by doing their medical assessments.

Alex was active in the College of Family Physicians of Canada and held both the Certification and Fellowship with this accrediting body. He helped develop, and was in the first group of physicians to receive, the CFPC Fellowship designation. He was President of the B.C. Chapter of the College of Family Physicians from 1970 to 1971. He loved and respected his wife and two daughters and encouraged them all in their own educational paths and career aspirations. Following his stroke in May 2001 he tackled his rehabilitation and recovery with his usual quiet determination and achieved remarkable improvements which allowed him to return to his home in Kamloops for more than 13 years.

Alex is predeceased by his loving wife Marguerita and by his father and mother, Colin and Lillian McDougall, four brothers, Campbell, Stewart, Dougald and Murray and three sisters, Beulah Christensen (Anker), Helen Legge (Victor) and Islay. He is survived by his 2 daughters, Elspeth, Kamloops, B.C. and Jennifer (Patrick Egan), Mississauga, Ont. He also is survived by three treasured grandchildren, Curran, Brenna and Gwyneth Egan.

Alex wishes were no funeral, memorial or service, but for everyone to celebrate his life in their own way. Below is a poem Alex selected for his obituary. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation or the Canadian Wildlife Foundation in Alex’s name. The family extends sincere gratitude to Dr. Shirley Sze, Dr. Chip Bantock and all the Pine Grove staff for their compassionate and kind care and attention over the years. Also, thanks to the many care providers, friends and health professionals that facilitated the more than a decade of his final years comfortably in his own home.

When I come to the end of the road and the sun has set for me,

I want no rites in the gloom-filled room,

Why cry for a soul set free,

Miss me a little, but not too long,

and not with head bowed low,

Remember the love that we once shared, miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey we must all

take and each must go alone,

It’s part of the Master’s plan, a step on the road to home.

So when you are lonely, sick at heart, go to the friends

we know

And bury your sorrows in doing

good deeds,

miss me – but let me go.

Anonymous

Condolences may be expressed at www.myalternatives.com

• Date : 2016-09-06
• Location : Kamloops, B.C.