William “Stuart” Huestis
1932-2022
Retired Halifax
Neurosurgeon Dies
Huestis, William “Stuart” –
89, of Kentville died peacefully in Valley Regional Hospital,
Kentville on Monday, May 23, 2022 surrounded by his much loved family.
Born in Saint John, NB, he was the only son of the late Ralph and
Gertrude (Belding) Huestis. Stu grew up in the small fishing village
of Chance Harbour, NB attending a one room schoolhouse. He advanced
through his grades quickly and graduated from Saint John High School
at age 16. His only desire was to become a Doctor and he enrolled at
Dalhousie University. After two years of undergrad studies, he was
accepted into Dal Medical School. He obtained his M.D. in 1956 and
spent the first year as a G.P. in Fredericton, NB. He then decided his
call was to Neurosurgery. He began his training at the MNI in
Montreal, but did residency in Toronto and Halifax before receiving
his fellowship of Neurosurgery in Canada in 1961 and two years later
in the American College of Surgeons. He was awarded the McLaughlin
Travelling Fellowship in 1964 and spent time in Neuro Centers in
Europe and North America. He then returned to set up his practice in
Halifax where he worked for over 30 years. He was Professor and Head
of Department of Neurosurgery Dalhousie University from 1974-1982. He
was instrumental in setting up the Neuro Pediatric Unit at the IWK.
His accolades were many, but that was not what he aspired to. He was
there for his patients and his aim to make them better. Apart from
being skilled technically, he had a caring bedside manner and was
always available to referring family doctors. The Neuro Unit on the
2nd floor of the V.G. Centennial Building was
like a family, all working together as a team! After health issues
forced him to retire early, he and Marg moved to the country home in
Kentville, where gardening and golf took up his time, as well as
travelling to Florida for several months in the winter. But never a
day went by without wishing he was back working in the O.R. Stuart is
survived by his wife and best friend of 49 years, Margaret
(Ward); children, Gordon (Suzanne), David (Susan) Leigh (Tait Graves);
all of Kentville; James, B.C.; and Kelly (Christopher Moss), U.K.;
grandchildren, Kristi (Ryan), Matthew (Michaela), Jason, Andrew,
Gabriel and Maggie Graves, and Molly and Ruby Moss (UK); and an
expected great-grandchild in August; sisters, Alfreta (Stuart)
Schwartzberg (USA) and children, Bruce, Jordan and Heidi; cousins, Ron
(Anne) Huestis, Bedford; and Eric (Bev) Thompson, NB. Predeceased by
his parents, daughter Leslie at birth; and former wife, Corine, the
mother of his four eldest children. Special thanks to Dr. Robert Gunn,
Dr. Ken Rockwood, Senior Homecare by Angels, Diane MacPherson,
paramedics, staff of Med B. VRH and Dr. M. Keough. In lieu of flowers,
donations in Stuart’s memory would be greatly appreciated by
charities close to your heart or to the Valley Regional Hospital
Foundation, Valley Hospice or the Alzheimer
Society. A private family service will take place. A video
webcast of the service will be available on Wednesday, July 20 at
11:00 a.m. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted
to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services,
Kentville.
“Remember
that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing you have
received – only what you have given: a full heart enriched
by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.” –
Saint Francis of Assisi
“Gone, but never
forgotten.”
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William Stuart Huestis 19322022..
Death notice for the town of: Kentville, Province: Nova Scotia