Gary Edward John Steinhoff died on February 26, 2022 at home, in the arms of his loving wife, Carolann.
Gary was born in Kitchener, Ontario, on April 6th , 1949 to Leighton and Lorraine Steinhoff. While still completing his surgical residency in Ottawa, he travelled to Victoria to visit his lifelong friend, Doug, and fell in love with the sea. He decided to set up his practice in Victoria and soon afterward commissioned the building of a new C&C 40 sailing yacht at Niagara-on-the-Lake. He moved aboard soon after Gleneagle arrived in Victoria and spent many happy years living aboard and sailing the west coast whenever he was not in the office or operating room. He met Carolann and they were engaged after three dates and married a few months later in 1984. They travelled the world together, on land, visiting pretty well every country on the planet, and at sea, chartering sailboats and sailing the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, New Zealand and the coast of Turkey. Eight years ago, they decided to have their dream boat built in England, an Oyster 475, which they named Aquilina (Sea Eagle).
Gary was a dedicated and respected urologist with a practice that spanned 34 years serving the Victoria community and beyond. He was a deeply caring and compassionate physician to his patients and their families. He was a member of the Medical Advisory Board, Canadian Interstitial Cystitis Society, Chairman of Urology Quality Assurance Committee, Vancouver Island Health Authority, Member, Credential Committee for Canadian Urology Research Consortium, Consultant, Victoria Fertility Center, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery at the University of British Columbia, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Urologic Sciences at the University of British Columbia, Urology Surgical Tumour Group Chair, Surgical Oncology Network Tumour Group at BC Cancer Agency & served as Chief of Urology, Vancouver Island Health Authority, for 24 years. In addition to chairing many other medical boards too numerous to include herein, he was Principal Investigator for over 87 clinical research trials.
In 2000, Gary and Dr. Charles Ludgate together founded the Island Prostate Center in Victoria in order to provide much needed support and education and care to prostate cancer patients and their families. The IPC is still thriving today.
In addition to Carolann, Gary is survived by his sister Debbie (Tsuyoshi Hasegawa),many nieces, nephews and cousins. Special thanks to close friends Doug and Lars, for their constant companionship and support during his illness.
A gathering to pay tribute to this wonderful man will be scheduled at a later date at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.
I really don’t know why it is that all of us are so committed to the sea, except I think it’s because in addition to the fact that the sea changes, and the light changes, and ships change, it’s because we all came from the sea. And it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea – whether it is to sail or to watch it – we are going back from whence we came. –John F. Kennedy.
When he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun. -William Shakespeare.
Memorial Service
Thursday, April 6th, 2023
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Royal Victoria Yacht Club
3475 Ripon Road
Victoria, BC
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
http://www.mccallgardens.com
50 Responses
I have lost a dear friend, the community has lost a superb and caring physician, And our dear friend Carolann has lost her husband, and the light of her life. I wish there was something useful that we could say or do to try to assuage these losses. With our love and respect. Adaani and Wadi
Mrs. Steinhoff, family, friends, and colleagues
I was a patient of Dr.Steinhoff for 4 years and I will be eternally grateful and thankful for his kind and attentive care. I was referred by my family physician when my PSA results spiked dramatically. My wife Joan and I were alarmed – terrified actually – which of course Gary instinctively sensed, and he immediately offered the empathy, reassurance, and confidence that he provided constantly throughout the management of my prostate cancer. We were shocked to learn of his illness, with the ultimate irony that while he saved me he now would have to save himself.
The excellent state of my health is a continual reminder that Gary was instrumental in my care. He was vigilant but took the opportunity to educate us on the complexities of a disease that was unknown to us. I didn’t enjoy the routine biopsies but I still smile recalling his personal comfort to me and his good humour during what could have been solemn and stressful procedures.
My wife and I offer our most sincere condolences and assurance that he will be remembered forever.
Dear Carolann,
I am so sorry for your loss. Gary was an incredible gentleman, urologist. He will be missed.
Carolann, I learnt of Gary’s death reading the ” Globe” obituary today, March 12th. My heart goes out to you and I wish you immense strength and courage as you move forward without your life partner. Accept any & all offers of support in whatsoever form and take as much time as you need to grieve. Tears will pass and happy memories will remain. With my best, Richard Hicks
Carolann and family.
Ross and I were sorry to learn of Gary’s passing. He was such a kind and gentle man. We have fond memories of the past. Our condolences. I am sure you have many many treasured memories as tribute to your life together.
Cec and Ross Waters
Dear Carolann,
Fred and I were deeply saddened to hear of your dear Gary’s passing. You give much of yourself to others so it is reasonable to assume Gary gave much to you. May you be comforted by the many wonderful memories you shared on your journey together.
Our kindest thoughts go to you,
Andrea and Fred
I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Steinhoff’s death. He was my Urologist in 1997 and performed a number of procedures on me until his retirement. He was a lovely man, compassionate, caring and always most supportive. My condolences to his wife, family, friends and patients who like me, would be so pleased with his expertise and care. And in addition to his professionalism, he had a great sense of humour! The world has lost a great man and an excellent doctor.
My deepest condolences. Dr. Steinhoff was my doctor for many years. He was so kind, caring and knowledgeable.
Working as an RN in RJH ER, I found Gary to be kind, quiet, compassionate, calm and connected-taking time to listen to nurses, imparting interest in his patients and instilling trust. He later performed a surgery on me, that he hadn’t done in 8 years. My husband also knew him. He was our contemporary in age and although we think we have seen and done many things on this earth, Gary was a man who overflowed with accomplishments to fill even more than one lifetime. He was a gentle gentleman. Our heart-felt sympathy to Carolina and his family. At some quiet moment, read “The Parable of Immortality” about a ship and the sea, by Henry Van Dyke–it will add to JFK’s words. Remembering a fine man, Garry and Barbara Zielinski
This is a beautifully written tribute to one of God’s best people. I remember Glen Eagle and the inaugural sail, I remember the kindness of his soul. My deepest Condolences to Carolann and family.
There are no words, I will keep the best of my memories of this man front and center in my heart forever.