Visitation:
Saturday, January 21, 2023 from 9:45 AM – 10:20 AM
St. Mark’s Church
5935 Iona Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 2L2
Funeral Mass:
Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 10:30 AM
St. Mark’s Church
5935 Iona Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 2L2
Reception:
Sage Bistro (formerly UBC Faculty Club) at 11:30 AM
6331 Crescent Road
With family at his side, Henry passed away peacefully at 90 years of age after a full and deeply satisfying life. He died at the Purdy Pavilion Extended Care home at UBC in Vancouver, only steps away from where he had practiced and taught for many years. Henry joins his beloved wife Barbara who passed away at Purdy 10 years earlier.
Henry was born in Montreal on November 28, 1932 to Louis and Marie Mizgala. He had four brothers: Edward, John, Charles, and Frank. The boys were very close growing up as they supported each other, celebrated together, and enjoyed playing practical jokes. Henry was predeceased by Edward (who died as an infant), his parents, John, and Frank.
Henry’s draw to a life in medicine started early. Educated by Jesuits, he attended Loyola High School and then Loyola College in Montreal where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude in 1953. He attended medical school at McGill University and graduated with an MDCM in 1957, and was elected for membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. While completing his medical degree, Henry met and married Barbara Delaney. As they were starting a family, Henry did his internship at St. Mary’s Hospital with residencies at St. Mary’s Hospital and Royal Victoria Hospital. In 1960 he and his young family ventured south to New York City where he trained at Mount Sinai Hospital under two prestigious fellowships in Cardiology. In 1962 he returned to Montreal as a Cardiologist at the Montreal General Hospital and Lachine General Hospital, then as Director of the Cardiac Care Unit at the Montreal Heart Institute. In 1980 the family moved to Vancouver where Henry was named Head of the UBC Division of Cardiology and worked at the Vancouver General Hospital, the B.C. Cancer Agency, and UBC Hospital. During his career, he was a professor at McGill University, the University of Montreal, and UBC. Henry was named a Professor Emeritus of Medicine at UBC in 1998 for his service and contributions. He was also recognized by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society with an achievement award in 2001.
Henry’s five children were a major point of pride and joy. Ski trips, summers at Lake Memphremagog, and family dinners were sacred times to Henry. His children and their families will miss him, and will cherish the time they spent together. Henry is survived by Paul (Lisa), Cynthia, Liane (William), Melanie, and Nancy (Stephen); grandchildren Christian, Delaney, Harrison, Joy, Sydney, Bennett, William, Fay, Chloé, Louis, and Billy; and great-grandchild Lukah. Just two weeks before his passing, the family gathered in Vancouver to celebrate his 90th birthday.
A brilliant mind with an insatiable interest in learning, Henry enjoyed golfing, fishing, a good discussion, story-telling, and laughter. At the age of 85, he added biking to his regimen. Henry saw the lighter side of life and knew how to instruct a student, comfort and heal a patient, and console a friend. He was important to so many and will also be missed by colleagues, friends, sisters and brothers in law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Purdy Pavilion and UBC Hospital for their kindness and compassion as Henry lived out his final years with Alzheimer’s disease. His daughters also want to recognize their brother Paul and his wife Lisa for the loving care and attention they provided Henry. Donations can be made in Henry’s memory to the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, 855 West 12th Avenue, Unit 190, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9.
Visitation will be held at 9:45 AM with Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at St. Mark’s Church at 5935 Iona Drive, Vancouver. A reception will follow at 11:30am at Sage Bistro (formerly UBC Faculty Club) at 6331 Crescent Road. Interment and memorial will be held later in 2023 in Montreal.
November 28 1932 – December 11 2022
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de HENRY FRANK MIZGALA MD FRCPC FACC FAHA November 28 1932 – December 11 2022 et espérons que leur souvenir pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.
Décès pour la Ville:Vancouver, Province: Colombie britanique