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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
O'CONNOR, John Frederick - Age 80, of Dartmouth, passed away March 21, 2023 in the Halifax Infirmary, QEII. Born in Halifax on January 9, 1943, he was the son of John Francis and Alice (Mielke) O’Connor. He attended school in Halifax and graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in 1960 where he was Head Boy and played as quarterback on the football team in his junior year. He paddled for the Saint Mary’s Boat Club and very much enjoyed the opportunities that growing up on peninsular Halifax provided him. He put himself through university with the University Naval Training Division program where he graduated from St. Mary’s University, and then Dalhousie University Medical School Class of 1969. He served as a physician in the Royal Canadian Navy (Lieutenant) until he began his medical practice at the Dartmouth Medical Center. He served the community as a dedicated and distinguished Family Physician for over four decades. He was honored by the Canadian College of Family Physicians as the Canadian Family Physician of the Year in 1996. He was instrumental in establishing the Dartmouth General Hospital, supporting its fundraising throughout his life. He served as the Chief of Staff of the hospital as well as the Head of the Emergency Department. He was the Editor-in-Chief of the Nova Scotia Medical Journal and served as the Director of the Halifax Regional Health Authority over the course of his medical career. He lived with his wife and family on Lake Charles in Dartmouth for over 50 years where he enjoyed walking the trails and swimming in the lakes along the Shubenacadie Canal. This was his sanctuary. He loved where he lived and highly valued his community. He served as the Chairman of the Shubenacadie Canal Commission where he raised funds to develop the park and share his love of the area. He enjoyed golf and always looked forward to his weekly game with his colleagues at Brightwood Golf and Country Club. He and his wife, Barbara, enjoyed the friendships and time they shared with their Friday night group, very much appreciating their company and support. He had many lifelong friendships that he greatly treasured. His enjoyment of canoeing, camping, and skiing was shared with his family and friends with many fond adventures. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann O’Connor (Hatcher); daughter, Jennifer (Patrick) Johnson, Roanoke, Va.; sons, Matthew (Colleen), Winooski, Vt.; Jamie, Hong Kong; sisters, Judy Connolly (Dennis), Chester; Catherine Kilvert, Halifax; and Mary Alice Hayes, Toronto; sister-in-law, Karen Hatcher; grandchildren, Matthew, Connor, Katie, Finnegan and Jonah; nieces and nephews, Christopher, Stephen, Catherine Mary, Sean, Robert, Elizabeth, Keith and Sarah. He was predeceased by parents, John and Alice O'Connor; aunts and uncles, Victor and Madeleine O'Connor, Mary O'Connor, Edward O'Connor, Jim O'Connor; and brother-in-law, Robert Kilvert. Arrangements are entrusted to Atlantic Funeral Home and Dartmouth Memorial Gardens. A Memorial Service and Celebration of his Life will follow later on August 5th at 1 p.m. in Atlantic Funeral Home, 771 Main St., Dartmouth. More details may be found on this page closer to the day. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, Canadian Heart Association, or to the Shubenacadie Canal Commission.
Ships served in: HMCS SCOTIAN - Served in SCOTIAN in 1960 for UNTD
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