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
16 Responses
I am sorry to heat of Hugh’s departure but so glad that I knew him! he was a wonderful Physician who mentored me in an Anaesthetic residency at St. Joseph’s hospital many years ago.
He was a kindly man as well as a good Anaesthetist. I remember he also befriended Malcolm Muggeridge when he came to Victoria.
We shall miss Hugh, but always remember him kindly!
Thanks for sharing his life!
Ian Buckingham MB BS
Ken/ Shelagh & clan- very sorry to hear of the passing of H.H. I know you were very close to your dad and gave him much support & comfort in these last few years. My condolences to you, your brothers, & your mom Jean. We will raise a glass of G & T in his memory.
Much love, Dave & Sally
Hello Macartney Clan,
Sorry to hear of your dad’s passing – he was born 3 months before my dad, who passed away in 12/2004.
He was a positive influence on my teenage years as Donal and I went on bicycle adventures and Malcolm
tried to scare me by putting lizards on my shoulders…….always a smile and encouraging word.
If you have a public celebration of life, I would be pleased to be notified………all the best,
Tom
Jean, Shelagh & family,
Our thoughts are with you all at this time. Bill & I so enjoyed our times in that garden with the very best of neighbours!
With our condolences,
Bill & Helen Kay
Our thoughts are with you and your family, what a wonderful life and legacy to have. Our condolences to all.
Barb, Pedro, Miguel and Amanda Arrais
I have many great memories of your dad, playing in the yard, his old cars ( I remember the Peugeot and I think he had a really old Chevrolet from the 1940’s) and of course I remember his love of sailing.
Best to the whole family
Brian
Dear Shelagh Please accept our condolences for your loss. We know what a devoted caregiver you have been. With love from Anne and Claude
I was sad to hear of Hugh’s passing but he lived a long, full life. I had the pleasure of working with him at the oral surgery clinic and he always brightened my day! He was a joy to work with and I still enjoy some of his wonderful recipes he passed on to me.
My condolences to Jean, Terry and all the Macartney family.
I have lots of fond memories!
Sincerely, Gail (Nickells) Pohl
Very sorry to hear this bad news. I appreciated the time I worked with Dr Macartney at the old St. Joseph hospital
as a fourth class helper.
Malcolm and family. My sincere sympathy on the loss of your father. Bob