Dr. William Ward Kendrick passed away peacefully on August 13th, 2013 in Victoria, B.C.
Bill was born on November 13th, 1924, in Toronto.
He earned a degree in Medicine from the University of Toronto in 1949, and a fellowship in Urology in 1956.
Dad met our mother Joan Macfarlane, an operating room nurse, while working in Regina. They married in 1958 and relocated to Victoria in 1962.
Bill’s medical practice can best be summed up by the parade of patients who would drop by every Christmas to bring him presents. Fixing urological problems always came with a steady mix of anecdotes, humor and advice that endeared him to patients and the medical community alike. Once, when asked why so many of his patients remembered him Bill replied, “you never forget the man who helps you pee again.”
Bill had a ‘retirement’ in 1994, but worked as a surgical assistant until he was 80 years old.
Bill was a veteran of WW2, serving with the RCAF as the flight engineer of a Lancaster bomber. He walked away from a plane crash during training.
When the war ended he entered medical school and promptly broke his neck playing football. After spending a year in a body cast, he resumed his studies.
As a father he was a welcome source of sage wisdom and quick wit. No conversation with Bill was complete without at least one joke woven into the narrative. Above all he was a gentle and generous man, sincerely amazed that he’d raised four children and not one of them had done prison time.
He was Mom’s best friend and they enjoyed 55 years of a happy marriage described by her as “never a dull moment”.
Bill’s favorite hours were spent salmon fishing, tending his roses, doing needlepoint, playing poker, writing emails to his children and grandchildren, and socializing with his longtime circle of friends.
Bill was pre-deceased by his parents William and Elizabeth (Bess) Kendrick of Ottawa and Victoria; first wife Mildred Hogan of Montreal and their infant.
Bill is survived by his wife Joan; four children, Kathleen (Dan Holte) and Victoria (Gary Bugeaud), of Calgary; Robert, of Columbus, OH; Michael (Eliza Coblentz), of Portland, OR. He is also survived by five granddaughters; Rachel, Zoe, Parkes, Rennie and Lucy; two step-grandsons Tyler and Chase; and former daughter-in-law Kealy Wilkinson of Victoria.
Many thanks and gratitude from the entire Kendrick family to those who provided care and support during Dad’s last year of life.
At Bill’s request, no funeral has been planned. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Victoria Hospice Foundation. www.victoriahospice.org. Condolences for the family may be offered below.
25 Responses
On behalf of the Barootes family, I extend our heart felt prayers and thoughts to you Mrs. Kendrick, Kathy, Vicky, Bob and Michael.
Dr. K was larger than life in his dedication to friends, patients and family. He was ever young in spirit, energy and humour.
We were blessed with the gift of his and Mrs. Kendrick’s lasting friendship as a result of the years he practiced with our father in Regina. We will remember him with a smile and chuckle…his sharp wit, his storytelling and his gentle way.
May you find comfort in knowing and seeing that his character, humour, his zest for life and compassion lives on within each of you, as children, and in his grandchildren.
Most sincerely
The Barootes “kids” – Barbara, Barrie, Bryan, Brent and Brenda
Our sincere sympathy to Joan and family. We have memories of a neighbor, who would often stop and chat as he passed. Those moments we will miss, along with many pleasant memories of tennis at the Racquet Club and the conversation that followed.
My heartfelt condolence to Joan and family – Bill certainly will be missed by all.
When introduced to my friends for the first time and asked what was his line of work he would say Plumber, and would get to see them all again sooner or later.
We always enjoyed his good humour.
Living overseas for the past 25 years my opportunities of seeing both Bill & Joan have been rare during this time. However, during my teenage years, as a regular member of the Kendrick household, I have a multitude of happy memories and shared moments. I remember Bill as a kind, humorous, warm and charismatic man, always able to find the funny point in a situation and to provide excellent advice.
My thoughts are with Joan and family during this difficult time, I know he will be greatly missed.
Bill always “brightened ” my day. One of my most cherished colleagues.
DEAR FAMILY…
We would like to acknowledge that we owe a great debt of gratitude to Dr. Bill Kendrick for making it possible for us to have another child! He treated me (man) with his great expertise & his contagious good humour, reassuring me that good results would come about in good time! Indeed, soon after his painless treatment, my wife let me know quickly that she was pregnant! She gave birth to an 11 pound boy (natural birth) whom we named “NOAH JOSEPH “. He is the younger brother of “Christophe Antoine “… They are now 2 good strong men, healthy & happy to have been born! We are for ever GRATEFUL!
Our most heartfelt sentiments to you all!
Hanne & Jean baptiste Quillévéré
Our history with Bill and Joan go back a very long way…further than our exodus from Regina in 1962. We considered both, part of the family.
We sorrow for the loss of this good friend, but we are left with wonderful memories. We are richer from having him in our life.
Condolences to Joan, Kathy. Vicki, Bob and Mike….you are in our hearts and prayers.
Deepest condolences to Joan and family. I am very sorry to hear of Bills passing.. I always enjoyed his wit and humour.
I want to offer the family of Dr.Kendrick my sincere condolences.As Executive Director of St.Joseph Hospital(renamed Victoria General Hospital) I valued this colleague as a dedicated, caring and skillful specialist. He will be very much missed. The Hospital, its staff and the patients will remain grateful for his work. I will remember him in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely Embert Van Tilburg
Bill was a wonderful colleague and I always enjoyed his sense of humour. He had unique stories and quips which were funny and quotable. I still tell some of his lines. Bill was also a gracious man who gave complements and honoured others. He will be missed by all of us who knew him and I’m sure your family feel sad he is gone but as Bill would say, “none of us are getting out of this alive”.