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
Dear Carolanne, I am so sorry to find out Gary has departed. I am very thankful that I got to see him for a few moments at your home when he came home last from the hospital. I do have some regrets. I should have had some tender words with him, and I should have given him a big hug and thanked him for being so kind to me. I do, and will miss him. Thank you for sharing him, he touched many people’s lives.
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Hope to see you again.
Adrien
Gary was very special to me. A genuinely kind soul. When I was a young physician finishing a terrible locum in Victoria, I met Gary on the steps of the Royal Jubilee Hospital. He told me about a practice which was coming available, and that he thought would fit my needs perfectly….that was 38 years ago now, and he was absolutely right. Rest in Peace, dear Gary. I’ll really miss you!
Sincerest condolences to all the Steinhoffs from the Ontario Corrigans.
Such sad news.
Gary will be missed.
Chuck & Teri Corrigan & family
Gary was a good friend of mine and the Finn family of Wellesley Ontario. His father Lee cut my hair and my 3 brothers- buzz cuts, from the time we were kids. My father, Dr. John “Bud” Finn was good friends with Leo, and I remember the barber shop at the 5 Points in Kitchener where Gary and Deb grew up. When I was a 2nd year medical student in Ottawa, I became quite dehydrated and didn’t know who to see or call. So I reached out to Gary, who was a urology resident at Ottawa U., and he came to our apartment off of Elgin St., hooked me up to an IV for fluids, and 2 litres later I was good to go! My wife Felicity and I attended Gary’s wedding and the reception at the Empresses Hotel with our 1 year old son Allen.
Gary was always so friendly and willing to help, and he enjoyed his career, marriage and sailing. We will miss him greatly. Dr. and Mrs. Brian Finn, Wellesley, Ont.
Carolann – we are so sorry for your loss and our deepest condolences to you.
Carolann, our hearts are with you. Charlie and I are so very sorry to read of Gary’s passing after such a brave battle. You are in our thoughts. Love and hugs.
Dear Carolann and Family
My most heartfelt condolences to you Carolann. Sometimes in our journey you are lucky to meet extraordinary people and Gary Steinhoff was “One of a Kind”, complimented by his loving partner, Carolann. May the love and memories surround you and bring you comfort in this saddest of times.
Dear Carolann,
I am sorry that Gary has died, and for your great loss.
Gary provided an exceptional level of care to his patients, particularly at the end of their lives.
He was a trusted colleague, and he acted with kindness and respect.
His memory will live on in our hearts.
With my sincere condolences,
Paul
The Mews knew Gary, both as a trusted friend, an excellent urologist and an excellent human being.
Two generations of Mews live better lives thanks to Gary’s excellence as a urologist and his compassion and support to so many Mew patients.
I especially recall fondly the days with Doug , Gil and others enjoying Whistler.
I am saddened to hear of his passing.
May Gary rest in peace.
My deepest condolences Carolann and the Steinhoff family.
Raymond Mew
Dear Carolann,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sending you hugs and love.
Love,
Alexa Callin Lindroos