COLIN CLIVE MERRY

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COLIN CLIVE MERRY It is with deep sorrow that we announce Colin passed away December 26, 2018 surrounded by local family, Stuart and Joshua. The family was impressed and relieved by the compassionate care he received at Riverwood Square, the Victoria General Hospital, and Misericordia Place and know that Colin did not suffer during his final years as his dementia progressed. Over the years the caregivers and nurses all shared accounts of his unique humour and sharp wit, as well as his steadfast sense of duty as a medical professional when he would indicate that one of his neighbours was in distress. Colin was predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Hazel, and his daughter Patricia (Trish); and he is survived by his sons, Andrew (Ming-Hui) and Stuart (Jiang Jing), son-in-law Michael (Trish), his grandchildren, Emma and Alec (Andrew), Joshua and Evan (Trish), and Siobhán and Iain (Stuart), and extended family and friends in England, Canada, France and elsewhere. Colin was born in Norwich, England February 24, 1935 to William (Billy) and Violet Merry. As sons of a Freeman of the City of Norwich, Colin and his elder brother, Brian grew up with a sense of civic responsibility, morality and ethics which were reinforced by the experience of growing up during the Second World War. After completing his medical training at King's College and Guy's Hospital, Colin entered Officer training as a part of National Service attaining the rank of Captain and Acting Major. Colin completed his service as Chief Medical Officer at Catterick Army Base where he supervised a large medical laboratory and romanced his love and future wife, Hazel. Colin married Hazel in 1961 and immigrated to Canada in 1964, initially to Regina, along with one of his colleagues from Guy's Hospital days as part of the British Invasion of the 1960s. He joined staff at the Grey Nuns Hospital in Regina as a Pathologist. In 1966 he was recruited to the Winnipeg General Hospital where he ultimately established the Haematopathology and Transfusion Medicine Laboratories in what has become the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. His time was split between caring for patients in the hospital and training up and coming doctors of the University of Manitoba Medical School. His knowledge and experience were a magnet for consults from across all Western Canada. Colin had a deep sense of community responsibility and charity, quietly taking treats to the Children's Hospital at Hallowe'en and Christmas and supporting all manner of charity organizations that came to the door. He had a special dedication for the work of Pregnancy Distress Service (now Thrive Community Support Circle). Colin had a unique family bonding ritual that involved camping and rain, and long road trips that will forever be remembered by his children. In his retirement Colin left all his professional duties behind and spent time with Hazel in the community and reconnecting with neighbours. After Hazel's passing, he became the neighbourhood's handyman for diagnosing problems with houses and cars, as well as expressing sympathy and giving detailed explanations for those going through the challenges of medical situations. Unannounced visits to "see what his grandchildren were up to", and Sunday dinners recounting stories of life growing up in Norwich with his brother Brian and the rest of his family were a source of joy to him along with his devotion to his and everyone else's cats. Dr C. C. Merry M.B., B.S., L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S. Freeman of the City of Norwich, Professor of Medicine (University of Manitoba) (Retired), Director of Hæmatopathology and Transfusion Medicine (Health Sciences Centre and Manitoba) (Retired), Dad and Grandfather, you will be missed by many. A memorial service for Colin will be held January 12, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery). The service will be webcast at www.neilbardalinc.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Winnipeg Humane Society (www.winnipeghumanesociety.ca). NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 05, 2019