Gordon Thomas Dickinson

Gordon Thomas Dickinson, MD, FRCP, born August 27, 1932. Passed away suddenly at home on August 4, 2015. Beloved father of Andrea Dickinson (Mark Sherman), Phil Dickinson (Therese Lennert) and Thea Dickinson (Dustin Smith). Proud grandfather of Max Dickinson and Maurice Dickinson. Will be dearly missed by family including Joanne Sulman (mother of Thea), Mary Lou Dickinson (mother of Andrea and Phil), sister Joan Cockhill (predeceased by Brian Cockhill), brother and sister-in-law Jack and Barb Dickinson, and friends John Shepherd, Jerry Tostevin and Walter Wasylko. Gord’s great intellect, diverse interests and exceptional talent led to an extensive education and impressive career. He earned his medical degree at McGill University in 1958 and a Master of Philosophy from the University of Toronto in 1962. He served the medical profession as Editor of the Canadian Medical Association Journal for 10 years (1960 to 1969) – six as Associate Editor and four as Editor. In his tenure with the CMAJ, Dr. Dickinson contributed significantly to improving its scientific standards and to enhancing its stature nationally and internationally, as expressed in the May 17th 1969 (Vol. 100) editorial of the CMAJ:

Here indeed was a caretaker fit to tend one of the important resources of Canadian medicine, the Journal of The Canadian Medical Association… A man with an encyclopedic memory, he is intimately aware of all the fields of medical research in which active work is being pursued not only in Canada but elsewhere. His keenly analytic mind can discern unerringly the merits and shortcomings of a piece of investigation, an ethical viewpoint, or a solution to an administrative difficulty.

After leaving the CMAJ, Gord explored technical analysis, became a certified stock broker and worked at Merrill Lynch for 2 years. Following this hiatus, Gord returned to medicine. He simultaneously earned a Fellowship in Psychiatry and Certification as a Psychoanalyst, entering private practice in Toronto. An avid athlete, in his early years Gord enjoyed ice hockey and tennis, later taking up squash and maintaining an active lifestyle. He also had a gift for appreciating the small things in life. He enjoyed upcoming boxing matches and last night’s hockey game as much as reading, writing and discussing philosophy. In his retirement, he wrote and self-published a book called Drawing Conclusions: A Self-Help Manual for Thinkers (ISBN 0-9736175-0-0). Gord remained true to his convictions, was principled, kind and honest. He deeply valued his independence as well as all the people he loved. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of his life on August 15, 2015 at 1:00 p.m., with a funeral service and interment at St. John’s Norway Anglican Church, 470 Woodbine Ave., Toronto, and a reception following. Donations appreciated to The Hospital for Sick Children, McGill University, University of Toronto or any charity of your choice.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there, I did not die