David Alexander Ian Grewar

1921 – 2015

It is with great sadness that the family of David Grewar announces his peaceful passing on Thursday, April 30, 2015, at the age of 93.

As a stoic Scot and a wise and respected member of the medical profession David delivered the most accurate diagnosis of his own condition in his final days: “I’m just old.”

David leaves a large clan to cherish his memory: daughters Susan Moore, Fiona (Frank) Cantafio, and Katrina (Bruce) Montgomery; sons Colin (Lisa), Neil (Anne), Bruce (Cheryl), Ruairdh, and Peter (Lisa); grandchildren Nigel (Susan), Jill (Tyler), Miles (Kim), Leanne (Craig), Dean (Elicia), Amy (Paul), Carla (Chris), Emma, Chelsey, Shona, Paul, Tory and Ben; and great-grandchildren Olivia, Ira, and Henrik. He was predeceased by his wife, Dr. Margaret Joyce Grewar, and sister Betty (Elizabeth) Grewar.

David was born in Dundee, Scotland on July 4, 1921. He obtained his medical degree from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where he also met and married fellow medical student Joyce Davies.

In 1953 David came to Winnipeg to do a six month residency in pediatric medicine at Children’s Hospital. The opportunity to perform ground-breaking work with Drs. Bruce Chown and Harry Medovy on RH disease in newborn babies convinced David that Winnipeg was where he wanted to stay, and in 1955 Joyce and their three daughters traveled from London, England to join him.

David went on to practice as a pediatrician for more than 50 years, serving through Children’s Hospital, the Shriner’s Hospital, and St. Boniface Hospital, where he was chief of pediatrics. David also enjoyed teaching in the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Medicine.

Perhaps the area of his practice that brought him the most joy was his service in the North. David had a passion for the North, and he was happiest working long hours delivering care to Aboriginal and Inuit families in communities like Berens River, Little Grand Rapids, Baker Lake, and Repulse Bay.

In 2010 David was made a member of the Order of Manitoba, the highest honour in the province of Manitoba, for his “exceptional contribution to northern health care, particularly among the Aboriginal and Inuit children of northern Manitoba and Nunavut.” It was one of many honours he received over his career, including the Manitoba Medical Association’s Distinguished Service Award.

David enjoyed the rare privilege of working for more than 50 years but never really considering it work at all. He loved what he did. He dedicated his life to his patients and their families, and his colleague doctors and nurses. He was available to them 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year until the day he retired at the age of 85. He brought caring, compassion, encouragement, comfort, hope and healing to thousands of families throughout Manitoba and the North who all have their own special memories of “Dr. Grewar”.

Time with his own family was precious. David leaves his children with many happy memories of summer afternoons at the cottage at Lac du Bonnet, long drives across the prairies to the mountains in the Volkswagon camper, Saturday visits to Mary Scorer Books, winter Sunday afternoons at the University swimming pool, debates around the dinner table and many evenings spent savouring a wee dram of malt and listening to recordings of Kenneth McKellar and Andy Stewart.

David made sure his kids had tickets to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Manitoba Theatre Centre and Rainbow Stage, inspiring in them all a lifelong love for music, dance, theatre and literature – especially if it was Scottish!

He was a humble man who valued family, thrift, a healthy diet, exercise, and education. Through the example he set, David taught his children that what is truly important in life is not what can be bought, but what can be learned.

For many years David has joined a group of fellow St. Boniface doctors at “the Norwood” on Friday afternoons. In keeping with this longstanding tradition, please join the family for a celebration of David’s life and achievements at the Norwood Hotel, 112 Marion St, on Friday, May 8, 2015 at 4:00 pm.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Dr. Coates and the nurses and staff at St. Boniface hospital who cared for him in his final days.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, Dr. David Grewar Lectureship Northern Medicine, CE501-840 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3A 1S1 Ph. 204-787-4000.