Donald set out on his final voyage on 20 July 2019 after a long, interesting and fruitful life that began on 15 June 1924 in Kaifeng, China.
Predeceased by his wife Elizabeth in 2002 and his son Robin in 1998, Donald is lovingly remembered by his son Ian (Linda) and daughter Joy (Len) and his grandchildren Rohanna, Eli, Zoey, Stefanie and Nicole, and god-daughter Kathie (Chris).
Donald studied medicine and surgery in Canada and England, where he met and married Elizabeth, and where Ian was born in 1951. A surgical position at Mengo Hospital took the family to Kampala, Uganda, where twins Joy and Robin were born in 1953. Donald’s surgical career moved in 1959 into orthopedics at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. A second surgical assignment in Uganda with CIDA in 1969 also began a long association with the Leprosy Mission and the work of de-stigmatizing the disease. From 1977 until his retirement in 1989, Donald served as Medical Director of the Hugh MacMillan Medical Centre, serving disabled children and their families. Among other innovations, he supported early engineering efforts to build the many kinds of specialized wheelchairs we see today.
Praised by colleagues for some of the most skilled surgical hands they had ever seen, Donald used those hands for home building, large and small woodworking projects, and bonsai. As time permitted, he also enjoyed small boats and sailing on the lakes of Ontario. Donald and Elizabeth moved to BC in 1999 to be near family in Victoria, where Donald maintained his own home until his last year.
Donald cared deeply for his family and maintained strong friendships within his community and across the world. He retained a lifelong interest in organizations that were important to him and served as a Board member for several, including the International Christian Medical and Dental Association and, after his retirement, Friends of Mengo Hospital.
Donald impressed everyone he met with his observation and acknowledgement of them. Visitors always appreciated his well-furnished mind packed with interesting stories, his courtesy, and his gratitude for any kindness. Those closest to him saw his awe-inspiring focus, determination and commitment to his principles. Years of practice honed his ability to think clearly and make points concisely and to budget his time and energy as a situation required. These gifts he used until his last breath.
The wellspring that fed this remarkable life was a deep Christian faith. Donald looked to scripture and his Christian fellow travellers for support and inspiration, and often expressed his gratitude for God’s goodness. One of his disciplines was reading Daily Light, Bible readings for each morning and evening. The reading for the night he died begins: “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” [Neh 8:10]
Donald’s family is most grateful to the staff of Mt. Tolmie Hospital for the special care and kindness they showed to Donald in his last months.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday 1 August at 2 p.m. at Church of Our Lord, 626 Blanshard Street, Victoria.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully received for Friends of Mengo Hospital Canada.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
14 Responses
I was one of your Dad’s “sick kids” I came from a large family in northern Ontario. Your father’s kindness to my family was above his call of duty. Most of this generation just would not understand my surgeon, your father who felt sorry for my parents bringing their child to the city with extremely limited funds and a crippled child would help. Doctor Gibson gave my parents a room in his home whilst I had surgery. Your father was the kindest person our family ever encountered! He fixed my feet so I could walk, and gave a small-town family the chance to stay together during a very difficult time. I’ve been thinking of your father and thought – I’ll google him, and write him a letter and thank him for his generosity instead I find out that he’s passed on. My deepest sympathies to the Gibson family. May you Rest In Peace Doctor Gibson
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Gibson from his fellow CMDA Canada members. We are offering up prayers of thanksgiving for his long service and faithful witness. May those who are mourning be comforted by the sure knowledge that today he is with his Lord.
As a fellow children’s orthopaedic surgeon who also spent time living in in Uganda and working at Mengo Hospital, Donald became a very important and valued mentor and friend to me and my family. He visited us in 1996 when we were in Uganda, and it was such a special pleasure and privilege to have him come to Victoria to retire so we could be close to him again. When Ugandan colleagues visited Victoria I introduced them to Donald and they were so impressed at his retained fluency in Luganda, the Ugandan national language. His uprightness, humility, positive outlook, and rock solid commitment to his Christian faith have been a real inspiration. We shall miss him greatly, but honour his legacy. We offer our sincere condolences to the family and hope you take comfort in knowing that he was a great man who made a real difference in this world.
Dear Joy and Ian
My wife and I are deeply saddened to learn today of the death of your father Donald Gibson. We send our prayer of condolence to you as well as prayers of Thanksgiving for one of God’s great servants.
When I served as Principal of Wycliffe College, Donald became a dear friend of both the college and well as myself. He was a gracious host during my visits in B.C. and encouraged the mission of the college in many ways.
Upon my appointment as Bishop of Ontario, Donald presented me with a simple olive wood cross which he had brought from the Holy Land. “Peter, wear this plain cross as a reminder of the special need bishops have of remaining humble!” I wear it nearly every Sunday and will remember him in a special way this coming Sunday.