Obituary
Philip Harvey Reid, MD, husband, father, and physician, died at the Saint John Regional Hospital in Saint John, NB on 11 January 2022.
A proud Newfoundlander, he was born in Norris Point, NL in 1940. He was the son of the late Stanley and Alma (Laing) Reid.
He graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John’s, NL in 1963, where he met his wife, Charlene. They married in 1966. He received his MD from Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS in 1968. He then worked as a general physician in St. John’s, NL and Gander, NL, and as chief casualty officer at the St. John’s General Hospital in St. John’s, NL.
He pursued his specialty at Dalhousie University, Ohio State University, and The Rusk Institute at New York State University. At the latter, his work with countless veterans returning with severe injuries from the Vietnam War touched his life, and medical practice, forever.
He received his speciality in physiatry (physical medicine and rehabilitation) and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1976. In his 53 years of practicing medicine he has touched innumerable people in Atlantic Canada, especially in southern New Brunswick where he was Director of the Rehabilitation Unit at the West Saint John Community Hospital from 1977 to 1982 and subsequently Director of the Rehabilitation Unit at the Saint John Regional Hospital from when it opened in 1982 to 2002. Despite fighting cancer, he continued to be active in private practice until 2019, shortly after the death of his wife. Always the physician, he continued practicing, serving most recently in COVID-19 vaccination clinics until the summer of 2021.
Academic appointments included Assistant Professor of Medicine at Dalhousie University and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Memorial University of Newfoundland. He received many awards including Canadian Forces Decoration and Life Member of the New Brunswick Medical Society. However, he was most rewarded by seeing the lives of his patients improve at the Saint John Regional Hospital Rehabilitation Unit.
He also had a long career with the Canadian Armed Forces, starting with infantry training in 1957 and continuing up until his retirement from the military in 1992 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During that time he held many positions including commanding Medical Units in St. John’s, Halifax, and Saint John; Flight Surgeon; and Area Surgeon Atlantic.
He will be missed by his son Philip D. Reid (Chris); sisters Doreen (Howard) Parsons and Leona Read; Cousin Angela (Brian) Brown; and grand-dog Woodford. Aside from his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his sister, Jenny Reid; his aunt and uncle, Violet and Philip Henry Reid; and his dog, Jody.
“To Live in the Hearts of Those We Love is Not to Die.”
Arrangements are under the care of Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road, Saint John, NB (506-646-2424). Due to restrictions with the current pandemic, services will be held at a later date. Donations in Dr. Reid’s memory may be made to The Church of the Good Shepherd, Norris Point, NL.
To send flowers to Philip’s family, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Philip Harvey Reid July 14 1940 January 11 2022 (age 81)..
Death notice for the town of: Saint-John, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick