Please note: All links that begin with “Read more” link to obituaries on external websites.

Fredrick Harry Oleniuk, MD, FRCSC, died on April 24, 2023, in Saskatoon, Sask., at age 71. Dr. Oleniuk was certified by the Royal College in General Surgery in 1983. He worked at Saskatoon City Hospital and later held a practice in the city. Dr. Oleniuk was also appointed to the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, where he was a clinical professor. A dedicated Royal College volunteer, he is remembered as a well-respected surgeon and a humanitarian who always went above and beyond. Read more about Dr. Oleniuk.

Annie Rousseau, MD, FRCPC, died on April 21, 2023, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., at age 54. Dr. Rousseau was certified by the Royal College in Internal Medicine (1999) and Gastroenterology (2000). She obtained her medical degree at Laval University in 1995. For over 20 years, she practised at the Hôpital du Haut-Richelieu in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, where she was beloved by colleagues and patients alike. Read more about Dr. Rousseau.

Francis Engel, MD, FRCSC, died on April 18, 2023, in Montreal, Que., at age 66. Dr. Engel was certified by the Royal College in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1985. He obtained his medical degree in 1979 from Laval University. For more than three decades, Dr. Engel practised in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at LaSalle Hospital in Lasalle, Que. He was greatly admired by friends and colleagues and will be missed. Read more about Dr. Engel. 

Matthew Schubert, MD, FRCSC, died on March 21, 2023, in Saskatoon, Sask., at age 64. Dr. Schubert was certified by the Royal College in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1994. Born in Haifa, Israel, Dr. Schubert was committed to equity in gynecologic care; he was Saskatoon Area department lead of Gynecology and helped found the Saskatoon Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic. A devoted teacher and program director, Dr. Schubert was recognized for his excellence in residency and clinical teaching. He was also a dedicated Royal College volunteer, sharing his expertise and knowledge for several years. Read more about Dr. Schubert.

Claude A. Gagné, MD, FRCSC, died on August 29, 2022, in Lévis, Que., at age 90. Dr. Gagné was certified by the Royal College in Ophthalmology in 1967. He obtained his medical degree from Laval University in 1959. As a physician, Dr. Gagné was well-respected and particularly known for his empathy, his listening ability and his kindness. He will be greatly missed by family and friends. Read more about Dr. Gagné. 

Frederick William Baker, MD, FRCPC, died on May 11, 2022, in Canmore, Alta., at age 90. Dr. Baker was certified by the Royal College in Pediatrics in 1962. His career spanned over 40 years and four provinces, including Saskatchewan, where he served as chief of Pediatrics at the Regina General Hospital, and Ontario, where he was medical director of the Metro Toronto Children’s Aid Society (now Children’s Aid Society of Toronto). He assumed presidency of the Canadian Paediatric Society in 1984-85. Dr. Baker was also a Royal College volunteer, serving as a committee member on the Pediatrics Examination Board. Read more about Dr. Baker.

Charles Kybett Davies, MBChB, FRCPC, died on April 1, 2022, in Calgary, Alta., at age 90. Dr. Davies was certified by the Royal College in Anesthesiology in 1978. Born in Birmingham, England, he received his medical degree from Oxford University before training at the John Radcliffe Hospital. He served 24 years with the British Royal Army Medical Corps. After emigrating to Canada, he practised in both Manitoba and Alberta, including at the Rockyview General Hospital in Calgary, where he was chief of anesthesia for 10 years. Read more about Dr. Davies. 

Rajaram Mathu Patil, MBBS, FRCSC, died on April 1, 2022, in Belton, Texas, at age 90. Dr. Patil was certified by the Royal College in General Surgery in 1969. Born in Maharashtra, India, he obtained his medical degree at Agra University before completing his residency in England. Dr. Patil resided in Canada for eight years and would go on to practise as a general surgeon in Silsbee, Texas, for over three decades. He will be remembered for his gentleness, kindness and optimism. Read more about Dr. Patil. 

Zakaria Effendi, MD, FRCSC, died on November 25, 2021, in Edmundston, N.B., at age 89. Dr. Effendi was certified by the Royal College in General Surgery in 1969. Born in Aleppo, Syria, he received his medical degree from the University of Montpellier in France before emigrating to Canada in 1962. He held a practice in Edmundston for over 20 years. Dr. Effendi is remembered for the great care he took with his patients, the pride he took in his work and the love he held for his community. Read more about Dr. Effendi.

Abolhassan Sherkat, MD, FRCPC, died on November 17, 2021, in North Vancouver, B.C., at age 89. Dr. Sherkat was certified by the Royal College in Diagnostic Radiology in 1963. He was born in Esfahan, Iran, and obtained his medical degree at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences. In a medical career that spanned over 50 years, he would go on to practise at the Winnipeg General Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver and a private medical imaging practice in East Vancouver. Read more about Dr. Sherkat.

Pamela M. Fitzhardinge, MDCM, FRCPC, died on September 24, 2021, in Toronto, Ont., at age 89. Dr. Fitzhardinge was certified by the Royal College in Pediatrics in 1961. Her cutting-edge research on neonatal care helped countless babies over the years. Dr. Fitzhardinge practised at the Hospital for Sick Children and Mount Sinai Hospital and was a full professor at the University of Toronto. She is remembered as a passionate pediatrician and dedicated mentor. Read more about Dr. Fitzhardinge. 

Marilyn Jeanne Sonley, OOnt, MD, FRCPC, died on July 9, 2021, in Kirkfield, Ont., at age 90. Dr. Sonley was certified by the Royal College in Pediatrics in 1961. One of few women to pursue medicine at the time, Dr. Sonley would go on to lead a more than 30-year career, during which she would spearhead the creation of childhood cancer divisions at Princess Margaret Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children. She was awarded the Order of Ontario in 2021 in recognition of her outstanding contributions and achievements in medicine. Read more about Dr. Sonley. 

Charles Fun Awen, MD, FRCPC, died on April 30, 2021, in Oconto, Wis., at age 89. Dr. Awen was certified by the Royal College in General Pathology in 1966. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Dr. Awen completed his residency at the University of Saskatchewan, where he was also an assistant professor. He practised at Regina Grey Nuns’ Hospital, then at Bellin Health and the Bay Area Medical Center in Wisconsin. He is remembered as a wonderful colleague with a great sense of humour. Read more about Dr. Awen.

Franco M. Nichini, MD, FRCPC, died on March 23, 2021, in Glen Mills, Pa., at age 88. Dr. Nichini was certified by the Royal College in Therapeutic Radiology in 1965. Born in London, England, Dr. Nichini completed medical service in the British Army. He then went on to complete his residency at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. Dr. Nichini founded the first freestanding radiation oncology treatment facility in the United States and was recognized by the Pennsylvania Medical Society for 50 years of service. Read more about Dr. Nichini.