Dr. Warren A.S. Davidson

1945-2017

Dr. Warren Arthur Stephen Davidson of Elgin, aged 71 years, passed away at the Moncton Hospital on Thursday, August 10th in the presence of his heartbroken family.

Warren moved from his native Manitoba with his wife and children in 1984 to begin his tenure as Chief of Geriatric Medicine at the Moncton City Hospital. His work and vision became a hallmark of excellence for care of the elderly in Canada. He regarded public education as key, and was an early proponent of home care and a holistic team approach to evaluating patients’ needs. In 2002, he opened the Davidson Memory Clinic and became a principal investigator for medical research into cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Early on, he taught gerontology at the Universite de Moncton, and from 1989 to 1995, was a lecturer at St. Thomas University. All the while, he traveled the province advocating for enlightened attitudes to aging.

From his early days as a naval cadet in Selkirk and at Naden, through his medical training in Calgary, Winnipeg and London, England to his later years in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve, Warren was dedicated to the idea of service. In the summer of 1994, he volunteered with 2 Field Ambulance for Operation Passage, Rwanda as a medical officer. It was a defining experience in his life, a sometimes tragic dividing line between before and after. Warren fought valiantly to keep his zest for life while ultimately losing his health. Because he was so unswerving in his love of family, he will forever have our devotion and loyalty to his memory.

We’ll never forget his birthday party performances as a magician, his joy in Hallowe’en and Easter, and playing at Santa any time of year; his unabashed delight in spoiling his children and watching them develop into the accomplished and caring people they’ve become. Furthermore, Warren doted on his three grandchildren, and was not above colouring place mats with them at restaurants or "gobbling" their toy trucks. He enjoyed reading, photography, watching the Toronto Blue Jays with Karen -- and cats, sleek as Tinker, or fluffy as Jo.

Warren was an exacting and creative chef, following in his mom Irene’s culinary footsteps. He loved nothing more than tackling the most difficult and delicious of recipes, often checked out and suggested long-distance by his sister Lillian. He prided himself on a spotless kitchen, guided by the mantra, "Clean as you go!"

Cherishing memories of our dear Warren are Karen, his wife of forty-six years; children, Ainsley (Shawn Rowe) of Hammonds Plains, NS, Stefan (Amy Garbes) of Hatchet Lake, NS and Patrick of Elgin NB; grandchildren Ryan, Aaron and Claire; sister Lillian (Ken Allan) of Winnipeg, and brother Keith of Winnipeg; sisters-in-law Colleen Ridgeway of Winnipeg, Donna Drysdale (Doug) of Cochrane, AB and Peggy Tollefson (Neil) of Camrose, AB as well as many beloved nieces and nephews, and honorary aunt to the kids, Audrey Waytiuk. Warren was predeceased by his parents, Kjartan (Kenny) and Irene, and by his older brother, Kenneth Roy.

Thank you to Dr. John Li for calm and compassion in the midst of sorrow, to Pastor James Hannah, and to Dr. Rachel Mallais and nursing staff in ICU.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held in Manitoba in October. If so desired, donations in Warren’s memory can be made to the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada or the Canadian Red Cross or the Salvation Army.

Arrangements are in the care of Salisbury Funeral Home & Crematorium 3350 Route 106, Salisbury N.B. (506-372-4800).