Allan Frederick Pyesmany

Allan Frederick Pyesmany was born May 6, 1939, in Radway, Alberta to Fred and Pauline (Zadunayski). Allan began his education in a two-room schoolhouse, taught by his aunt and uncle, until he moved to Edmonton to attend St. Anthony’s College and later pursued his Bachelor of Science. He attended the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Alberta, receiving his M.D. in 1961 at the age of 22. He completed residencies in Edmonton and Montreal before his fellowship in Pediatric Hematology Oncology in Los Angeles. Allan then began his career at the IWK Children’s Hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia in the summer of 1968, where he met a nurse named Ann Johnson, and remained until his retirement in 2002.

Allan began his career at a time when most children died of their cancer, and he worked tirelessly with families with hope, dignity, and empathy. Allan was one of the first visionaries, networking with colleagues and working within the rigour of research trials to advance the understanding and improve the outcome of childhood cancer. His legacy includes thousands of people living throughout the world as long-term cancer survivors. He was an educator and mentor to many young physicians, and his contributions to the field will continue to impact patients and families for years to come.

Allan was a founding member of the Board of Governors of the Halifax Ronald McDonald House (RMH), served on the Canadian and International boards of the RMH Charities, was on the IWK Board of Governors, and was President of the IWK Medical Staff. He was also Chair of the NS Medical Society Cancer Committee and was a member of the Board of Governors of the Canadian Cancer Society. He was a proud recipient of the D.A. Gillis Award and was an honourary life member of the IWK Health Centre.

Allan was a devoted husband to Ann, and together they loved to bird watch and garden, and enjoyed years of reunions with the “5 docs” and their wives, the residency group he trained with in Montreal. Annual family vacations on PEI were enjoyed with close family friends. Allan was a wonderful father, ever present for his girls and their friends, with a listening ear. He loved family dog walks, skiing, fishing, and weekly squash games. Allan and Ann always looked forward to time at their Cape John farmhouse, where they entertained family and friends, and he barbecued year-round. The farm was Papa’s happy place with his five grandchildren, where he was always up for a cribbage game, a trip to the beach to fly kites, or a musical parade around his rose gardens.

Allan is survived by Ann, his loving wife of 51 years, daughter Nora and her husband Charles Kennedy, daughter Beth; and grandchildren Molly, Janet, Ian, Ryan, and Alexa. He is also survived by his sister Betty Brand, as well as his sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Geoff Lewis. Allan was a very proud uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his brother Bob Pyesmany, sister-in-law Gwyneth Johnson, his parents, and his loved aunts and uncles.

Family and friends will always remember Allan as a dedicated and compassionate physician, warm and welcoming friend, and a fun and loving husband, dad, and Papa.

We would like to thank all the wonderful healthcare workers who worked with, and cared for, Allan. In lieu of flowers, donations to Ronald McDonald House Charities Atlantic, or the IWK Health Centre Foundation, are much appreciated.

A memorial service will take place on Monday April 3, 2023 at 11am in St. Andrew’s United Church, 6036 Coburg Road, Halifax, NS. The service will be livestreamed, the link will be on the funeral home website.