Dr. John Roger Jeffery MD FRCP
1942-2020
It is with deep sadness that the family announces the death
of John Roger Jeffery on October 16, 2020 at the Saint John Regional
Hospital. Born in Chaddesden, Derby, England, he was the son
of the late Jack and Caroline Jeffery.
John is survived by his loving wife Heather.
Children: John of Winnipeg, MB, and Anne (Todd) of Calgary,
AB; his precious granddaughters Makayla and Elizabeth; sister Joy
Stebbings (Dennis), and their children Charles (Anna) and
Caroline. Heather’s stepfamily also mourns his
loss (Dr. Greg Hammond, Susie Hammond, Mary Jane Hammond, and Dianne
Robertson and their families).
Born in England in 1942 John spent a year in Brazil and then
emigrated to New Brunswick in 1958. He graduated from
Fredericton High School in 1960 and then completed Grade 13 at Saint
John High in 1961. He was always appreciative of the support
and encouragement of the teachers at that school. In 1961 he entered
McGill University as a National Scholar. After receiving his B.Sc.
with Great Distinction in 1964, he graduated from Medicine in 1968 and
then pursued further education in Internal Medicine (FRCP 1973),
Nephrology and kidney transplantation at McGill and the Royal Victoria
Hospital.
In 1971 he married Heather Downes and their son John was born
in 1973. The family moved to Winnipeg in 1975 where their daughter
Anne was born. John worked as Head of the Manitoba Kidney Transplant
Program at the Health Sciences Centre and the University of Manitoba
for almost 30 years. During this time, he served terms as President of
the Canadian Transplant Society, Chairman of The Kidney Foundation
Medical Advisory Board, Chairman of the Canadian Organ Replacement
Register, and Head of the Section of Nephrology. He co-authored over
100 scientific papers. In 1987 he became Professor of Medicine at the
U of M. He was the recipient of numerous awards for his services. Over
1,000 kidney transplant patients came under his care.
John loved to cycle and in 1989 he took his bike to
Vancouver, BC and made the long and exciting trip all the way to Saint
John in just over 6 weeks. Two years later he repeated the
trip from Vancouver to Winnipeg with his son. Retirement was
always going to be in Canmore, AB but on a trip back to Saint John in
2003 he and Heather took a tour into Hampton and fell in love with a
house with a million-dollar view. Ten days later he made
plans for his retirement for 2005 and he was able to commute to
Winnipeg every other month. A raspberry patch began and that was the
start of lots of wonderful jams and pies that were John’s
favourite. Travelling allowed them to see many countries in
Europe as well as numerous restorative four week vacations in
Portugal. The people they met on those trips are still part of their
circle of friends.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff in
Oncology and especially Dr. Sean Dolan for their excellent
care. Also, thanks to Dr. Jane Ashfield, his family
physician.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Reid’s Funeral
Home (506-832-5541), 1063 Main Street, Hampton, NB. A
Celebration of Life will be held later due to Covid-19
restrictions. Donations in memory of John may be made to the
Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation – Oncology
Department, McGill University – Alumni, or the charity of
your choice. Personal condolences to the family as well as
donations to charities may be made through
ReidsFH.com.
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19422020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Dr John Roger Jeffery MD FRCP 19422020..
Décès pour la Ville: Hampton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick