Dr. Michael Tibbetts, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away at Victoria General Hospital on September 8th, 2017 survived by his wife Jean of 56 years, daughter Peta, grandchildren Liam and Regan, son Stephen and daughter-in-law Susan.
Mike was born in the Black Country, the industrial area south of Birmingham, in England. Both his father and grandfather had been general practitioners in this region.
He went away to boarding school before his sixth birthday and by the time he was eight years old, he knew he wanted to be a doctor. After boarding school, he went to Cheltenham College and then, at the age of 16, he went on to King’s College, London to commence his medical training. He qualified M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. before his 23rd birthday and subsequently obtained his M.B., B.S. and diplomas in both obstetrics and anaesthesia.
After qualifying, he went into the army and did his National Service in Kenya, Aden and Cyprus, in which countries he was the Regimental Medical Officer attached to several units that were engaged in fighting different terrorist organisations; he was awarded the Kenya and Cyprus medals. Returning to England in 1956, he did additional training in obstetrics and anaesthesia before entering general practice in Stourport, Worcestershire in 1958. There he remained for eight years, combining his practice with anaesthesia at Kidderminster Hospital.
In 1960, he had the extraordinary good fortune to meet Jean Powell and they were married in 1961. They had two children, Peta and Stephen and in 1966, the family immigrated to Canada, where after further training in anaesthesia in Edmonton he went into practice in Leduc, Alberta. He continued to combine his general practice with anaesthesia and he also obtained the L.M.C.C. which was the Canadian qualifying exam. The Tibbetts family moved to Victoria in 1974, where Mike continued to work as a G.P/anaesthetist at the newly completed Saanich Peninsula Hospital. He incorporated hypnotherapy into his practice and was a member of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and used hypnotherapy in his practice for many years. He retired from his general practice in 1996.
He retired from hospital anaesthetics in 1991 and commenced a new line of work which was procedural sedation in dental offices in the vicinity of Victoria, and he would continue this work until 2011. He was well respected by his peers in the medical community of Victoria and loved all aspects of his work.
Mike loved, above all, his wife, his children and his grandchildren. He was very active physically all his life playing rugby as a young man and moving on to tennis and squash in later years. After the age of 60, he swam on a regular basis.
We would like to thank all the nurses and doctors at the Victoria General Hospital in the Emergency Room, ICU and 6 South who looked after him so beautifully.
Mike’s Celebration of Life will be on Wednesday, 11th October, 2017 at 1:00 pm in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, Royal Oak, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria.
No flowers please – donations to The MS Society of Victoria.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Holly Horne
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Janet and Charles Simpson Dear Jean and family ,
Charles and I were very sad to hear of Mike’s death .
We shall remember him particularly by our pool-side,afternoons in the sun and his great story telling.
I always admired him taking jazz piano lessons too !
Our sincere sympathy to you and the family , Janet
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Jan Saunders Dear Jean & Family,
My deepest condolences on the passing of Dr. T. I found him to be a warm and compassionate practitioner and a most respectful employer.
Kindest regards,
Jan
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Cheryle Watson Dear Jean
So sorry to read about Mike but such a wonderful tribute to his very full life. You and Mike were so kind meeting for many lunches when Doug was ill. Doug had high praise for Mike when he made dental appointments calmer for several patients. I will remember Mike’s wonderful sense of humour. He will be missed. Thinking of you at this sad time.
Hugs,
Cheryle Watson
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Jim and Liz Morris Dear Jean and family
We were sorry to read of Mike’s passing.
I first met Mike at the start of his new venture into sedation of apprehensive dental patients.He came to my office on a regular basis for many years dispensing calm assurance to a succession of my most apprehensive patients.
When I myself became ill, he showed great kindness towards my wife and I for which we will be eternally grateful.
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Sharon Aune Dear Jean and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Dr .Tibbetts was an extraordinary ,caring,compassionate Doctor for us and even made house calls when our boys were little. Even after he retired his practise every yr at Xmas he would come to the lodge I work at and wish myself and my family a merry Xmas and ask how we were doing. He will be deeply missed by many. Our deepest condolences at this most difficult time. Sharon and Dale Aune
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michael rooksby My wife, at the time, and I were some of the first Victoria patients of Dr Tibbetts, and my son, born in October 1974, was, I believe, his first ‘delivery’. He and Jean came to the wedding, 25 years later at the Ocean Pointe Inn. He was a lovely man with a lovely manner and so very knowledgeable in all matters. Thank you, family, for sharing him with the rest of us, and bless you all as you deal with your loss.
Michael Rooksby
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Myrtle Smyth Jean, so sorry to hear of your loss. I have many memories of your time in Leduc. I know how much Mike loved you and the Children. If you ever come this way I hope that you will come and visit me. Hugs, Myrtle.
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Gwendolyn Margetson Thinking of you all and the times spent with your family. A very accomplished man with a wonderful family, what more can one wish for. Love to you all.
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Helen Douglas I was so sorry to read that Dr. Tibbetts has passed away. He was my doctor in the 70’s and I shall never forget his kindness during my difficult period.
I have often thought about him and how patient he was with my situation.
He would say: “Okay, let’s have a go, shall we?” when I came to see him.
My deep condolences to the family.
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Martin Wilkinson To the whole family..to my close friend Peta..i send thoughts and hugs to you all..Dr. Tibbets was a great man..a strong father figure..a great husband and a caring human. Prayers to you all. Martin
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Katie Such a wonderful and talented gentleman Uncle Mike was. My thoughts are with you all.
With love,
Katie, Tom and Charlie Humphreys x
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Elena Livingston Dearest Stephen and Susan, Mike and I are so very sorry for the loss of your father. He had a life that only a few get to enjoy. Great achievements and a Wonderful family. I’m sure his legacy will live forever and your memories of him will keep you warm. May he Rest In Peace. Love to you and your mom!
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Debbie Geaghan Dear Steve & Susan & Family
Our most heartfelt condolences to you both and the rest of the family. His life holds much worth. Memories will hold him near & dear.
With love, Debbie & David
Dear Mrs. Tibbetts and Family,
I was saddened to read of the passing of your dear Michael. I have very fond memories of him, as do my parents, Les & Rose Vivian, as did my dear grandmother, Maude Mair, who were all lucky enough to have him as their family doctor for many, many years. I, also, had the pleasure of knowing “Dr.T”, while working as a dental assistant for Dr. David Ward DDS, where Dr. Tibbetts would come in regularly to do IV sedations. He was always so kind, gentle and professional with our patients, and just lovely to work with, and chat with while in our office. He always spoke of his family with much love and pride. We’ll all remember Dr. Tibbetts as a brilliant doctor and a true gentleman.
Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this most difficult time.
With Sincere Sympathy, Holly Horne (nee Vivian), & Les & Rose Vivian