John Senn

After a courageous battle with cancer during his last months, John Sloan Senn went to his Lord peacefully on August 12th, 2006 at Sunnybrook Hospital at the age of 77. John Senn, Catholic, son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and doctor, was an inspiration to countless people for his love, faithfulness, compassion and hope. Born to Dr. John and Peggy Senn, and brother of Nancy Cowling, he graduated from Medical School at the University of Toronto in 1953 and specialized in Internal Medicine and Clinical Haematology, leading Sunnybrook Hospital's Clinical Haematology department for nearly 40 years. In 1954 he married his love and lifelong wife Jean McAdam White. Professionally, John shone as a clinician, researcher, professor, ethicist, and bedside physician, being sought by many for his skill, compassion and character. He specialized in leukemia and bone marrow cancer research, working at the Princess Margaret Hospital and Sunnybrook Hospital, in addition to evaluating cancer research initiatives across the United States. During the latter part of his career, John was the first physician to start ethics programs in hospitals across Toronto. He served on several boards, including that of L'Arche, an ecumenical community for mentally handicapped adults. John and his wife Jean have three children, Kevin, Heather, and Cameron, as well as five grandchildren, Alexander, Martin, Charlotte, Josephine, and Juliana. He loved his family, long walks in the country, and his cottage on Little Lake Joseph in Muskoka. Friends may call on Monday August 14 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.S. Kane Funeral Home (6150 Yonge Street, at Goulding, south of Steeles). A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday August 15, 2006 at 11 a.m. at Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church (3220 Bayview Avenue). Interment to follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.