I think of my dear cousin every day of the year (the photo below lives in a prominent position in my sitting room), but especially on this day May 10th; the day on which he was murdered, in 1977.
My cousin Stephen was not just a 'doctor'; he was an exceptional one. His diagnostic abilities for 'internal medicine' were second to none.
As a young 'houseman' at Liverpool's Royal University Hospital, he was head-hunted by the Australian Health Service as a 'Flying Doctor'. His possession of a pilot's licence made him highly sought-after.
Regardless, he decided to go to Canada, and it was there where his life sadly came to a sudden end at the hands of some young scumbag next-door neighbour who was looking for drugs (I believe).
He'd been an advisor to the Canadian Government, as well as having his services often sought by the Canadian Mounties. He was a lovely man, and had been a huge asset to society.
He died aged 35, leaving a wife and three young daughters; one of whom witnessed his murder.
He should have had at least another 30 years to offer to the world of medicine. What a terrible waste of a precious life.
RIP Stephen. It pains me, knowing that he's no longer here. xx
Your cousin's death is a great loss to your family and to the world, that is good you are telling us about him. Imagine all the good he would have done in future years if he hadn't been murdered. Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteHe did so much in his short time with us, he certainly would have gone on to greater things. All senseless loss of life is a tragedy, but his even more so.
DeleteHow tragic and indeed ironic that such a clever and compassionate young man - with so much to give back to the world - should have his life taken by a useless nobody without reason.
ReplyDeleteI found this link to The Prince George "Citizen". You can enlarge the front page with the slide in the top left hand corner:
Deletehttp://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1977-05-09/-/Prince%20George%20Citizen%20-%20May%2009,%201977
Gosh, I've never seen that. Thank you for finding it, I'll get my son to print it for me.
DeleteMy cousin was someone for whom the word 'genius' was invented. He could read the most complex medical books and memorise every word, he passed all his exams first time round which is almost unheard of. Such a terrible waste of life; he was also a very nice person.
p.s. I did try to find the name of his killer, and what sentence he received, but to no avail. Such details are not given to the public.
DeleteHis killer was just sixteen so I guess his identity was protected for that reason.
DeleteCorrect. He would have been tried as a "young offender". Their identities are protected and often their sentences are ridiculously light. A murderer is often released after three years. Today, young offender sentences are a total joke and if the offender is from a First Nation they are often tried under a different form of judicial sentence. I'm not saying anything more because I will only get ranted on by certain individuals.
Delete50, what you have said certainly happens here in the UK. Sadly, these days, many killers are between 13 and 15, and are from specific communities. It's as if they simply don't care!
DeleteWhat a terrible tragedy.
ReplyDeleteIt really was. He was an exceptional doctor, and all his knowledge was taken away by some idiot.
DeleteHow awful. Thank you for sharing his story.
ReplyDeleteHe was the nearest thing I had to a brother, and I miss him every day.
DeleteWhat a tragic waste of a life of a wonderful person. It is just beyond words.
ReplyDeleteI was the greatest shock of my life, I still can hardly believe it.
DeleteThank you for sharing and remembering.
ReplyDeleteI wish I didn't have to remember him, but there's no going back.
DeleteWhat an awful story and how terrifying for his young daughter to witness. What became of them? Did they return to the UK? Do they have happy lives?
ReplyDeleteThey are still in Canada and happily married.
DeleteSenseless acts like the taking of your brilliant cousin's life are heartbreaking. As a talented doctor, he had so much to give to the world. The ills of society are never ending. I am truly sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteOne never imagines that such things happen in one's own family, but occasionally they do.
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