Born Aug 1, 1940, Cookstown, Northern Ireland
Died July 12, 2023, Victoria, British Columbia
John McCaw grew up in England, and graduated from Westminster Hospital Medical School. He met his wife, Jean (Gray) when they were both medical residents in Portsmouth. The couple answered a magazine ad for doctor jobs in Canada, married in 1968, and emigrated later that year. John fell in love with British Columbia’s landscape from the start, and always felt lucky to live here. John and Jean first settled in Vanderhoof, B.C., and then moved to Victoria, where John worked as a family physician for the rest of his career. He served as president of the Victoria Medical Society and as a board member of the British Columbia Medical Association.
He was a kind and gentle person. Animals and small children were quick to trust him. He was a devoted dad: easy to talk to and playful. When reading aloud he would add sound effects, including a hissing and rattling steam engine for the Thomas the Tank Engine stories. He loved spending evenings in conversation. He told very funny stories. He treasured the family cabin on Salt Spring Island. During summers he loved to explore the coves and islands, either on his 1930s wooden sailboat or an open skiff. He was fascinated by water in motion. During family road trips, he would insist on stopping to stare at rivers, and during winter gales he would take the kids down to the sea front to watch the waves crash in.
Even in his last years, when dementia took away his words, he greeted people with warmth, and delighted in
listening to music and taking walks by the sea.
He leaves his wife Jean, children Fiona (Aubrey), Catherine, and Andrew (Mercedes), grandchildren Jedediah and Harriet, and siblings Robert (Madeleine), Charles (Julie), and Jane. His sister Rosemary died earlier this year.
Thanks to help from many people, John was able to live through his illness in comfort and dignity. The McCaw family would like to thank the staff of the second floor of James Bay Care Centre, along with Mary Thompson, Duane Lecky, Murray Harris, Camilla Cyr, John Fox, Laura Wood, Charlie Simpson, Mary de Zwager, Murcia Mears, Frank Fish, Kelly Rauch, Sue Donaldson, Joan Wilson, Cory Herrera, and the congregation of St. Matthias Anglican Church. Apologies to those we have left off the list. We thank you all.
All are welcome to a Funeral Service at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at St. Matthias Anglican Church, 600 Richmond Ave., Victoria, BC.
A Video recording of the service followed by a memorial slideshow can be viewed by clicking play on the video below.
A digital version of the service folder can be viewed by clicking on the following link for those who wish to use it to follow along with the service recording.
John Boyd McCaw Service Folder
Donations welcome to Doctors without Borders/Medicins sans Frontieres.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Patricia Altham
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Carol Robson John was the kindest and sweetest man. He was truly a gentle soul, but had a wicked sense of humour. After 20 years of working for him, he was the best boss anyone could ever hope for. He was also the most caring and compassionate doctor! All who knew him felt privileged to be in his company. My deepest condolences go out to Jean and the rest of his family.
With very fond love to my dear cousin Jean, and Fiona, Catherine, Andrew and families.
Although we couldn’t see very much of dear John (being thousands of mile apart for most of the time),
we fully recognised his fine qualities, and were much saddened by his death. Clearly he was much loved and respected by many people.
From Patsy (formerly Gray) and Jimmy