DR. MORLEY ASQUITH SIRETT

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DR. MORLEY ASQUITH SIRETT March 16, 1915 - November 7, 2013 Morley Sirett was born in Minnedosa, Manitoba on March 16, 1915. After graduating from high school he embarked on a career as a beekeeper, but this was short lived because of the war. Morley enlisted and served with the Royal Canadian Artillery, and later the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corp, going overseas with the Number 4 General Hospital where he was stationed in Farnborough, England. After the war Morley enrolled at the University of Manitoba, where he took two years of agriculture before being accepted into medicine. While in medical school Morley met classmate Nancy Green and, after a romantic courtship conducted mainly in the pathology lab, they were married while in third year. Prior to graduation Morley and Nan had the first two (Bill and Katharine) of their seven children. After graduating in 1952, Morley and Nan moved to Erickson, Manitoba where they established a medical practice. Moving to Erickson was like going home for Morley because the community formed a large part of his father Will's veterinary practice and he had accompanied his dad on many calls in the area by horse team and Model T Ford. While contending with a very busy practice, Nan and Morley somehow found time to add five more children to the family (in succession, Janice, Susan, Duncan, Robin and Jennifer). After 13 years in Erickson, Nan and Morley returned to Winnipeg so the children could attend university. Morley gave up active medical practice for a position with the Manitoba Hospital Commission, where he held a succession of appointments, namely Director of Hospital Services, Chief Medical Consultant and Provincial Emergency Health Officer and Provincial Ambulance Officer. While at the Commission Morley was awarded the Order of St. John by the Governor General of Canada. Morley retired after 18 years with the Commission but, not wanting to stop work, took a position with the Department of Health and the Department of Community Services for suburban Winnipeg, and with the Preventive Medical Services Directorate. Morley's other activities included church work at St. Mary's and All Saints Anglican churches in Winnipeg, representing rural interests as an executive of the Manitoba Medical Association, president of the Erickson branch of The Royal Canadian Legion, and an instructor with the Canadian Power Squadron. Morley and Nan enjoyed many weekends and summers at their cottage near Kenora and boating on the west coast of British Columbia. Morley was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Nancy, and his sister, Wilma Brown. He is survived by his children Bill (Mary), Katharine (Tom), Janice, Susan, Duncan (Jo-Anne), Robin (Kathy) and Jennifer (Bruce); grandchildren Chris (Erin), Carmen (Chris), David, Andrew (Michelle), Carolyn (Jesse), Paddy, Nikki, Nick and Colina; and great-grandchild Collin. Morley's family thanks the medical and nursing staff who gave him such great care over the last few months, especially the nursing staff on 3 North at Grace Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the All Saints Anglican Church Endowment Fund, Broadway and Osborne, Winnipeg. As Morley requested, a private family service was held at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre on Tuesday, November 12, 2013. "Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea." Alfred Lord Tennyson NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 13, 2013