Obituary of John Price

It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of John Price, age 92, surrounded by love, on September 20, 2024.

John (predeceased by his wife, Ann) leaves behind a family he treasured: his children, Neil (Indra), Shaun (Shari), Maura, and Brian (Gwyneth); his grandchildren, Elizabeth (Mike), Cailean (Taylor), Miriam (Ryan), Siobhan (Max), Alexander, Lauren, Carolyn, Jena and Neve; and great-grandchildren, Lowen and James.

Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1932 to John Price and Barbara Hamilton, John spent his early years exploring Europe with the Scouts and practicing his golf craft, activities that inspired his life-long love of the outdoors and sports. Armed with his first driver at aged 7, he managed to hit himself in the head during practice, requiring a quick trip to the hospital for stitches. His golf swing and game improved so that by age 86 he had scored less than his own age on a few occasions and almost always outplayed his children. He had many fine memories of his annual golf trip with friends to Cape Cod. He was a Distinguished Member of the Fredericton Golf Club.

During his medical training at Queen’s University, Belfast, John met the love of his life, Ann Martin, at a medical school dance. Their sense of adventure, strong Irish roots, and devotion to family united them as soulmates for the next 65 years until Ann’s sudden death in 2023. After receiving his medical degree in 1955, John joined the Merchant Navy as ship’s doctor travelling to Singapore and China with stops and adventures in between. In 1957, he immigrated to Canada with Ann to complete an anaesthesia residency in Montreal and then joined the staff at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital as the first anesthesia specialist. It was a hectic time for John who was on-call 24 hours a day for the first few years until a second anesthesiologist was recruited, but he managed the load thanks to Ann’s support. He kept a tight schedule in the OR, surgeons would be paged overhead ‘Stat’ to the OR, expecting an emergency, but facing only John, smiling and tapping on his watch. During his successful 49-year career he received many accolades: President of the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society, Chief of Staff of the DECH, and Life Member of the Canadian Medical Society, to name a few. He was especially proud to receive the Order of Merit from the New Brunswick Medical Society and later the Clinical Practitioner of the Year Award from the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society in recognition of dedicated service to patients, community and the medical profession.

John was dedicated to his work but also to his family and together with Ann, they raised four wonderful children and instilled their strong values of the love of family and the importance of sharing home-cooked meals together. Together they integrated themselves in Fredericton in activities that aligned with their hobbies and their values of making the world a better place for all. In an adventurous private life, John and Ann were a wonderful team. They devoured current events and community service. They traveled, suitcases packed with cameras, hiking boots and evening wear. John and Ann loved to entertain and found as many opportunities as possible to host and celebrate the milestones of their children and anything else that popped up. John had a wonderful sense of celebration. Living independently after Ann passed away, John treated himself to scallops and steak, cookies and Mrs. Warrington’s pies. He will know that rejoining Ann, he will face consequences for the abundance of confections.

John had a love of gardening and bridge, fly fishing, rugby and skiing - he skied at Crabbe Mountain well into his 70’s. He was a long-standing member of the Garrison Club and was president of the New Brunswick Whiskey Society. He craved knowledge; meetings with the Golden Club and Probus Canada. His subscription to the Economist ensured that he had not only an opinion, but a balanced one, always favouring forward progress and civility. Of all his contributions, John identified his work with Hospice Fredericton as one of his most satisfying. He served as a member of the board from 2008-2017 and president from 2016 - 2017.

To his last days, John reveled in events and birthdays, treasuring everything from the invitations to the goodbyes. His family invites you to join us on Wednesday, September 25th at 2 pm at the Wilmot United Church, 473 King Street to celebrate his life. The family would like to thank Hospice staff for the wonderful care they provided to John as he neared the end of his life. For those unable to attend the celebration, a live stream will be available at the following link:https://www.youtube.com/@WilmotUnitedChurch/streams

In lieu of flowers, donations in John's name to Hospice House Fredericton or the Wilmot United Church would be appreciated.

Please accept our apologies for the confusion about the service time. The celebration will be at 2:00 pm at Wilmot United Church.