DR. JOHN G. WADE

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DR. JOHN G. WADE

O.C., Bsc, FRCP (c)

The family of Dr. John G. Wade celebrates a life well lived and shares the peaceful passing of John on July 17, 2025, at the age of 91.

Surrounded by his devoted family at Riverview Health Centre, John left this world with the same grace and dignity that defined his life.

He will be profoundly missed by his beloved wife of 66 years, Marilyn, and their children, Marianne (Davey Jensen) and Frank (Carmela). His grandchildren, Dr. Emily Doroshenko (Dustin) and Jonathan (Alexia), and great-grandchildren, Blake and Lina, brought him immense pride and joy. John is also lovingly remembered by his sister Judy Wade, nephews, William and Dr. Michael Falk, sister-in-law Carol Irving (Gerry), niece Dr. Heather Irving (Owen Clune) and their sons, Matthew and James and extended family. He was predeceased by his sister Jill Wade and his parents, Frank and Amy Wade.

Born in Winnipeg on April 11, 1934, John grew up in Norwood, where his father owned the Norbridge Pharmacy. A gifted athlete and lifelong sports enthusiast, he earned a hockey scholarship to the University of North Dakota, where he played from 1953 to 1956 and earned his B.Sc. He went on to receive his M.D. from the University of Manitoba in 1960, beginning a remarkable medical career that would span six decades.

John met the love of his life, Marilyn Armstrong, at the Norwood Community Centre in 1953, and they married in 1959, beginning a partnership that spanned nearly seven decades. They lived in the Lennox Bell House where their daughter Marianne was born in 1961. In 1962 John and Marilyn moved from Winnipeg to Taber, Alberta, where son Frank was born and where John practiced as a general practitioner before returning to Manitoba to specialize in Internal Medicine and later Anesthesia. His career took him from San Francisco to Copenhagen and back to Winnipeg, where he became a leading figure in medicine, education, and health policy. His many leadership roles - including Dean of Medicine at the University of Manitoba, Deputy Minister of Health for Manitoba, and founding Chair of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute - left a lasting mark on healthcare across Canada. In 2019, his lifetime of dedication was recognized with the Order of Canada, honouring his trailblazing work in patient safety.

Beyond his professional life, John found deep peace and joy at his beloved cottage in Minaki, Ontario. It was his sanctuary - a place for canoeing, hiking, golf, skiing, and simply being surrounded by family and nature. Winters spent in Phoenix, Arizona, offered John and Marilyn sunshine, friendship, and time together on the tennis court or golf course.

John will be remembered for his kindness, humility, and thoughtfulness - a man whose quiet strength and wisdom inspired all who knew him. A passionate reader and lover of Canadian history, he never stopped learning, reflecting, and giving of himself. His life was a testament to compassion, curiosity, and purpose.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff of Victoria General Hospital and Riverview Health Centre for their exceptional care, and to Dr. Heather Irving, Dr. Marvin Slutchuk, Dr. Robert Brown, and Dr. Sharon MacDonald for their constant support.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at Buffalo Crossing, 2505 McGillivray Blvd., with a live stream available here:

https://vimeo.com/event/5802564/

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In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. John Wade Memorial Fund, in honour of his lifelong dedication to patient safety you can donate by going to this link In memory of Dr. John G Wade OC FRCPC - CanadaHelps 

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/in-memory-of-dr-john-g-wade-oc-frcpc/

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 04, 2026