It is with very sad hearts that we announce the passing of David Guy Wills of Halifax, Nova Scotia on June 14, 2022 in his 88th year. He is survived by his loving daughters Catherine and Moira (William McIntosh) and his beloved grandson Theodore Ramharack. David is also survived by his sister Ardell Wills, brother in law Hardy McDonald (Nancy) and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his devoted and loving wife of sixty-one years, Heather Wills.
David was born in Saint John, NB on May 25, 1935. He was the son of the late Milton and Iris (Short) Wills. He graduated from Simonds Regional Highschool in 1953 and completed a pre-med course at Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB. David attended Dalhousie Medical School graduating in 1961. He practiced family medicine in Lunenburg, NS and Oromocto, NB for seven years before applying and being accepted to the University of Toronto’s Diploma Course in Anesthesiology. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1972 and practiced Anesthesiology at the Toronto East General and Orthopedic Hospital, Toronto, ON and from 1985, until retirement, at the Halifax Infirmary Hospital, the Camp Hill Medical Centre and the Q.E. II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, NS. He served as Acting Chief Anesthesiology at Camp Hill Hospital from 1987 to 1990. His medical career spanned a total of 44 years.
David had a lifelong interest in aviation; building and flying model airplanes from an early age. He was a member of the Simonds Regional High School Air Cadet Corps and in the summer of 1953 he earned a Royal Canadian Air Cadet exchange visit to Denmark. As a Mount Allison student he joined the Reserve Air Force (URTP), was selected for pilot training and completed the RCAF’s Flying Training Course over a period of four summers at RCAF Stations Centrailia, ON and Greenwood, NS. Now confronted with the choice of career in aviation or medicine, he chose medicine but never lost his interest in aviation. He found, as has been shown by several published studies , that there is a close relationship between the attributes required for the safe practice of Anesthesiology and safety in aviation.
In addition to his career successes, David excelled at his hobbies: auto mechanics, carpentry, reading about world politics and golf.
David spent his last year of life at Parkland At The Gardens in Halifax, NS. Here he received exceptional care and kindness. The family would like to offer special thanks to every member of the second floor staff who offered their professionalism and their hearts in making this past year so comfortable.
A Celebration of Life for both David and his beloved wife Heather will take place on Tuesday June 21, 2022 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Cruikshank’s Halifax Funeral Home, 2666 Windsor Street, Halifax, NS B3K 5C9
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Fort Massey United Church, Halifax or the senior’s residence of your choice.
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