We share with heavy hearts and profound sadness, that our beloved Dad & PopPop, passed away Saturday January 9, 2021 after suffering a stroke. Born in Cardston, Alberta, Dad spent his early life in Waterton, Alberta before moving to the Westside of Vancouver. He attended Lord Byng High School and was known for his athletic ability setting records in track and field. It was at Lord Byng that he met his soulmate Janet Hill (1994). Dad and Mum were married almost 40 years and were sweethearts since grade 11. Their union saw the arrival of their first daughter Devon Lori Jane, and a year later their second daughter Nancy Lynn came along. As a family we enjoyed a wonderful life on the Westside and later in the University Endowment Lands. We have a treasured abundance of heartfelt memories from our lives together which included annual holidays in Hawaii, sledding at Foreshore Park, BBQ’s at Birch Bay, running through the sprinklers, all kinds of road trips, so many happy times to recall and for that we are forever grateful.
Dad practiced medicine for 58 years, it was his passion and his purpose in life. He was an incredible diagnostician who always wanted to know the diagnosis of a patient before referring to a specialist. Dad practiced “old school” medicine. He loved going on rounds at the hospital and equally loved house calls, getting to know his clients on a personal level and developing deep and long-lasting relationships. He was recognized for his attention to detail and accuracy throughout his career. In 1977 our family moved to Berkshire, UK where Dad began his studies at the Royal College of Physicians of London. This incredible journey resulted in Dad receiving a diploma in Industrial Health. Having returned to Vancouver, in 1982 Dad received a Certificate of Special Qualification from the Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine with Honors of the C.C.B.O.M During this part of his career he worked alongside his great friend and colleague Dr. L. Kornder in Occupational Medicine, serving the Canadian Government with unwavering commitment.
Being an extremely dedicated and committed physician Dad embarked on another educational journey when he decided to get his Masters in Business Administration. This degree proved to solidify how foolish his high school principal had been, as he had once told our Nana that “Craig ought to take up a trade as he’s a very poor student”. Dad went on to be the Medical Director at Grace Hospital, a job that was all consuming yet incredibly rewarding to him. When he retired from Grace he went and worked at various clinics on the North Shore and in downtown Vancouver. He also became an adjudicator for insurance companies as he could seemingly never retire and loved every minute of it. In 2001, Dad received the honor of becoming a Life Member of the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
His long-standing membership in the C.F.P.C and his contribution to Family Medicine were truly recognized with this significant acknowledgment. Dad was also extremely proud to be a member of the Honorary Medical Staff of the Vancouver General Hospital. Dad loved learning and never stopped. He was a student of life, intrigued by history, religion, science, politics, technology, and many other topics. He was also incredibly handy and could build and fix pretty much everything. He was a formidable gentleman knowing right from wrong, and never afraid to say so. He was a formal man with manners and chivalry and we will miss his example as our touchstone.
Dad is survived by his daughter Devon Lori Jane and husband Vincenzo, his daughter Nancy, grandson Jason, his wife Mary, and the twinkle in his eye, great granddaughter Addison McKenzie. Dad moved to the Vancouver Island last year and his family was so grateful to have had this time with him albeit challenging with the ongoing pandemic. We worked diligently to keep him safe in hopes of a vaccine and felt like happier times were just around the corner, then tragedy, but this is life.
We as a family were blessed to have Craig Low Thomson Galbraith for our Dad and PopPop. He will remain in our hearts and be part of our souls as we continue our journey knowing that he is in the embrace of his beloved once again. May he rest in eternal peace and love~
Sadly, we will be unable to have a memorial service for our cherished Dad as we all adjust to the new normal but will honor his memory within our family at a future date.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
Rick Schwartz
What a great remembrance for Pop-Pop. His dedication to his profession was unmatched. My condolences to the family, and all whose lives he touched.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Dr Craig Low Thomson Galbraith MD DIH FCFP MBA June 24 1931 January 9 2021..
mccall gardens funeral and cremation service
Décès pour la Ville: Victoria, Province: Colombie britanique