Dr. Hugh H. Macartney, M.B., CH.B, FRCP

1926 – 2015

Born in Belfast, N. Ireland on May 25, 1926, Dr. Hugh H. Macartney passed away in Victoria, B.C. Canada on October 15, 2015 after a full and adventurous life. He will be remembered lovingly by his immediate family, relatives and legions of friends from all corners of the world.

Following graduation from the Faculty of Medicine of Queen’s University, Belfast and a subsequent general practice there, he moved to Vancouver, B.C., his mother’s birthplace and a city he was keen to return to after an earlier family visit.  He took up a position at the Vancouver General Hospital and in 1953 married Jean Willox, together with whom he raised five children.  The family moved to Victoria, B.C. in 1965 when he was invited to join the Anaesthetic Staff of St. Joseph’s Hospital (now Victoria General), where he helped set up the Intensive Care Unit and Pain Clinic. In the 1970’s, he left hospital work but continued to do private anaesthesia for oral surgery and organized his own Pain Clinic, until he retired in 1996 at the age of 70.  While many fondly remember being regaled with his trademark wit over a gin and tonic in the magnificent garden he and Jean created at their Oak Bay home, he was also a passionate, life-long sailor, guiding the “Mermaid” through the Gulf Islands and up the coast with family and friends.  Together with Jean, he was an inveterate traveller, particularly enjoying Sweden, and sailing holidays there, and attending international conferences, making numerous overseas friends.  A man of science and great curiosity, he collected old clocks, watches and cameras and enjoyed genealogical research, cooking, food and sharing recipes.  In the last decade of his life, he developed renal failure and for many years underwent home peritoneal dialysis, in respect of which the family are grateful for the expert care given by Dr. Kevin Horgan, the wonderful staff at the Home Dialysis Clinic, all the lovely nurses of the Royal Jubilee’s renal ward and Dr. Charles Medhurst. Even when illness prevented him from venturing far afield, he remained closely connected to friends and family through his iPad, always at his side (as were his beloved dogs).

He leaves his wife Jean, his four sons: Dr. Donal Macartney (Renee) Kingston, Ontario; Dr. Malcolm Macartney (Margaret) Victoria, B.C.; Ambassador Kenneth Macartney (Susan), Stockholm, Sweden; Colin Macartney (Debbie), Calgary, AB; and his daughter, Shelagh Macartney of Victoria, B.C. who was his primary and devoted caregiver during his final years. He also leaves nine grandchildren: Natalie, Ian, Thomas, Julia, Michael, Andrew, Emma, Sean and Liam, his sister Carol Macartney of Crawfordsburn, N. Ireland, his sister-in-law Eve Willox of Edmonton, AB and numerous nieces and nephews and their families, all of whom meant so much to him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. So for now, Hugh, we’ll hoist a gin and tonic in your honour – you and that Irish twinkle in your eye will be sorely missed.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com

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