In Celebration of

Dr. H. Bruce Williams

September 20, 1929 -  March 24, 2017

Dr. H. Bruce Williams C.M., B.A., M.D.C.M., F.R.C.S.(C), F.A.C.S.
1929-2017

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Bruce Williams on March 24th, 2017 at the age of 87 after a brief illness. He was predeceased, in 1997, by Dorothy, his loving wife of 40 years. He will be greatly missed by his sons Bruce (Beatrijs) and David (Bethany), his grandsons Martijn, Patrick, Ryan, Andrew and Jason, and his loyal four-legged companion Daisy.

He will also be fondly remembered by his sister Violet Fellows, sister-in-law Edith Williams, and many relatives, friends, colleagues, students and patients. He was predeceased by his siblings James, Betty, Sidney and Fraser, and in-laws Robert, Margaret, Mary, Jack, Corum and Thomas from Harrisburg, North Carolina.

Born in Barney’s River Nova Scotia, he completed his BA at Acadia University and graduated from Medical School at McGill University in 1955. Known especially for his work repairing congenital deformities and facial injuries in children, he also pioneered microvascular surgical techniques that have improved the lives of thousands of patients.
Emeritus Professor of Surgery at McGill University, he was the Chairman of McGill’s Division of Plastic Surgery and Director of its Residency Program, and founded the burn unit at the Montreal General Hospital. He led numerous national and international medical organizations, and served as Surgeon-in-Chief of The Montreal Children's Hospital for 14 years. The recipient of many awards and distinctions, he was inducted into the Order of Canada in 2014.
An avid golfer, he was a member of the Royal Montreal Golf Club, Royal Poinciana (Naples, FL) and the Abenakee Club (Biddeford Pool, ME) and thoroughly enjoyed playing rounds with his family and friends. Among other philanthropic endeavors, he co-founded the very successful Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Annual Golf Tournament in 1997 that supports research and excellence in pediatric care by attracting and retaining the best and brightest medical talent.
Family will receive condolences on Friday, April 21st, 2017 from 5pm to 7pm at the

Mount Royal Funeral Complex,
1297 Chemin de la Foret,
Outremont, Quebec
H2V 2P9
(514) 279-6540
(www.mountroyalcem.com)

A service will take place on Saturday, April 22nd, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, where he was a Ruling Elder.

St. Andrew & St. Paul Church
3415 Redpath Street,
Montreal, Quebec
H3G 2G2
(514) 842-3431

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation would be greatly appreciated.

Guestbook 

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Debra Chatfield (patient)

Entered April 1, 2017 from Lachine

Dr. Williams was the kindest, gentlest Doctor anyone could ever meet. We think of him often. When visiting a cousin in Naples, Florida, her neighbour told us he interned under Dr. Bruce and he thought he was such a fine man. Deepest sympathies to the family

Lina Feliziani (former employee)

Entered April 2, 2017 from Montreal

Bruce Jr. and David, I am so sad to hear this. I will always have great respect for your father and for your departed beloved mom Dorothy. I worked with him for 10 yrs at the MCH and till not too long ago still had the pleasure to cross him in elevators and hallways at the hospital. My condolences to all of you.

Marian and John MacFarlane (Former student and colleague MGH)

Entered April 2, 2017 from Vancouver

Sad to hear the news. We will miss our friend greatly and send our love to the boys and their families. Marian and John

William Scutt (Former Patient)

Entered April 19, 2017 from Montreal

It seems I have been around Dr Williams all my life, he performed the first surgery on me not long after I was born with a hairlip and cleft palate. over the next 17 years there was many more surgeries and he was always kind and new how to calm a child down. I then stated to work at the MGH and saw him quite often and he was always willing to talk and ask about how things were going. About 12 years ago my son need surgery on his hand from a cut glass and I specifically asked for him and he was more than willing to do it. I remembered in the recovery room after the surgery I asked the nurse if he would be coming in and she said I don't think so he rarely does, the next thing you know he was walking in and talking to myself and my wife the expression on the nurses face was priceless, he knew what to say when to say it and made you always feel very assured that he would be doing his best to take care of the situation. The plastic surgery world has lost a great doctor and his former patients have lost a caring friend.

Thanks

William Scutt

Davinia Withington (colleague)

Entered April 21, 2017 from Westmount

Please accept my sincere sympathies for the loss of Dr Williams. I worked with him at MCH as anesthesiologist since 1991 and always enjoyed my days with him. He was a gentle calm presence, an excellent teacher and kindness itself to his little patients. Families and children were reassured by him and all benefitted from his skills and long experience. Doing a job well is good, enjoying it takes things to a different level and with Bruce Williams his delight in working with children ensured that the whole team had a great day.

Photos 

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