CHANCE, Dr. Graham Wilfrid, MB, ChB, DCH, FRCPC, FRCP (Lond) – Passed peacefully at Alexandra Marine Hospital on Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018 with his wife by his side. He was born in Birmingham England in 1933 to Wilfrid and Edith Chance. Beloved husband of his wife Mary of 57 years. Devoted father to Valerie Stark (Santa Cruz), Andrea and Vince Stark (West Palm Beach), Christine and Murray Nethery (Kitchener). Loving Grandfather to Graham and Sarah, Caden, Grace and Callum. Brother to Valerie Bayliss and Uncle to Gael and Ian, Richard, Rob and Clare. Graham was an avid gardener, loved to travel with the family and could fix anything to perfection. He was driven by hard work, guided by his faith and had a passion to care for others. He will be dearly missed for his endless compassion and dedication to his profession. The family will receive visitors at the McCallum & Palla Funeral Home (11 Cambria Road North, Goderich) on Thursday, November 1st, 2018 from 12:30-1:30 PM. A Service of Celebration for the Life of Graham will take place at St. George’s Anglican Church (87 North Street, Goderich) on Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 2 PM. Refreshments to follow in the church hall at St Georges. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to St. George Church, Goderich and The Children’s Health Foundation for the Graham and Mary Research Scholarship.
Shared by Victor Han
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Rita & Peter Cliff
We just learned about the loss of dear Dr. Chance. Our deepest condolences to all his family. We remember Dr. Chance as a genuinely kind, caring and empathetic man and Doctor. He showed compassion at all times and that is what I remember most about him.
My husband and I first met Dr. Chance in 1989 at St. Joseph’s NICU. Our daughter Athena was born prematurely at 26 weeks and spent almost a year in NICU/PICU. Dr. Chance and Dr. Han both accompanied Athena via air ambulance when she was transferred from St. Joseph’s Hospital in London to the Foothills Hospital in Calgary. I remember their arrival like it was yesterday and will never forget all the care and kindness we were shown.
There are no words that one can say to take away the pain that the loss of such a wonderful person leaves. Dr. Chance lives on in many hearts. We hope the memories you have bring comfort when needed most.
Kathy & Paul Geraghty
Our deepest condolences are extended to Dr Chance’s wife Mary & Family. Dr. Chance was the leader in saving our daughters life in 1988 at the NICU at St Jos’s.( She was one of the youngest at the time of 24 weeks premature) Dr. Chance made a decision one day to remove her breathing tube. We got very anxious and questioned him, when he assured us the time was right and she would do it fine all on her own, and he was right!! His team worked tirelessly to save her. Thank You So Much. Today she is a healthy 33 year old nurse giving back the love and caring toward patients that he showed towards her. Without Dr. Chance’s amazing skills and expertise our lives would have turned out alot different. Thank you Dr. Chance. We will always remember what you did for our family. Kathy & Paul
Val Enright
I remember Graham as a dedicated physician and inspiring teacher. My sympathies go to his family.
Val Pusey MD
Laura Robinson
In the early 80’s I had the distinct pleasure of working with Dr. Chance at Victoria Hospital when he had city call. What a delightful, inspirational, humane physician. He showed us that “we couldn’t save everyone” but we would try our best. I stood by when he spoke to families of their loved ones dire condition, with compassion and grace. My fondest memory of his deep caring nature was when he intertwined the baby’s fingers as if in prayer,after death before the parents came to hold their loved one.
Vince Stark
Thank you all for coming to Dad’s viewing and funeral. I thought as far as funerals goes it was wonderful.
He loved Mary the way a Man is supposed to Love his wife. He loved, taught and cared for his daughters the way a man is supposed to Love his daughters.
He is everything a Man could ever possibly hope to be. He taught me so much about being a Man, Husband and Father. I will never forget his wisdom.
The best thing I can do too remember Dr. Chance, is to teach my children to be more like him. He was truly one of the great ones.
Thank you all for coming and sharing your remembrances of Dad. I will pray that you all get home safely and live a loved filled life like He and Mary had.
Betty Steer
I would like to express my condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Chance. I had the pleasure of working with him in the NICU at St. Joseph’s for many years. Dr. Chance helped to bring patient and family centred care into the neonatal setting by teaching us all the important role the families had in their infants journey through the NICU. He would take the time to speak with families, to ensure they understood how their baby was doing, what care was being provided and to ask how they were coping. He had the same approach to all members of the care team in the NICU. He encouraged us to do our best and to make improvements that would benefit our patients and families. He transformed how babies in our region were ensured the best possible outcomes by teaching “the mother is always the best incubator”. It was best to transfer mothers to a Level 3 centre to deliver to ensure the best for the baby. He was passionate about ensuring our regional partners were prepared to care for these patients should they deliver in their hospital. Dr. Chance is still present in our NICU as many staff continue to follow his model of care delivery. Rest peacefully and continue to watch over all of us.
Sandy, Peter & Shannon Lochead
Dear Mrs. Chance and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Dr. Chance will always hold a special place in our hearts. He attended to our daughter, Shannon almost 25 years ago when she was born in the NICU as St. Joseph’s. Dr. Chance’s compassion helped make our journey with Shannon so much easier. We will always be thankful for the care she received to become a healthy thriving young woman. I know that we are only one of hundreds of families that he helped over his long and distinguished career.
Michael Marrin
On behalf of the neonatal physicians at McMaster Children’s Hospital I wish to extend our sympathy at the loss of Graham.
Personally, I have never forgotten the generous time and advice he gave me when I was starting my career and working through how to set up a regional neonatal education program.
It is wonderful to see parents of his little patients express their thanks. We should keep in mind, also, that Graham did more than anyone to raise awareness in Canadian hospitals about being prepared to support depressed infants at birth. In that respect, his impact on the well-being of Canadian children and families extends far beyond those he touched in his nursery. We should all hope to have such a legacy.
Eugene Outerbridge
Dear Mary: Sylvia joins me in expression of our deepest sympathy to yourself, Valerie, Andrea and Christine and their families on the death of Graham. As you will know , while we never worked together in the same NICU we did work together on National Committees of the CPS, the Royal College and the CICH for close to twenty years. He was my closest friend in medicine. He brought to the national scene all the qualities others have written about recognizing n him, an exceptional knowledge of paediatrics, an unusual sensitivity and caring about other human beings, families especially, and babies. The principles of those important things indeed got incorporated into National Professional Guidelines through his tireless advocacy for children.
the CPS Policy statement “Support for Parents experiencing Perinatal Loss” Health Canada Guidelines “Family Centered Maternity and Newborn Care”1st edition The Royal College guidelines for accreditation of neonatal-perinatal training programs are but three examples
I hope that with time the good memories of this very special man will come to predominate over the current deep sense of loss and so have that recede
Alan Bocking
When I started my faculty position at Western and St. Joseph’s Hospital in the mid-1980’s, Graham was already a national leader in neonatal-perinatal medicine. I recall that in addition to being a superb, empathetic and compassionate physician/teacher, he was also very much a leader in forging new paths and approaches to the care of pregnant women, families and their newborns. One example of this was the establishment of a Perinatal Loss Committee at St. Joseph’s Hospital, which was one of the first such Committees, to my knowledge, in Canada. The Committee created new models of care and protocols for caring for women and families, who had experienced a pregnancy loss or the loss of a newborn. Many of the approaches that Graham proposed and put in place, which we now take for granted, but at that time, were extremely novel and were a reflection of his deep appreciation for the “human” side of healthcare. Graham was also a passionate and effective advocate for children in Canada – he led the Canadian Institute of Child Health, which was charged with promoting and protecting the health and well-being and rights of all children and youth in Canada, and authored a number of books with guidelines on best practices for maternal and child health care. Barb and I were fortunate to see Graham and Mary in Goderich in the summer for a brief period, and my regret is that we were not able to spend more time reminiscing about “old times “.
Elaine Orrbine
So very sorry to learn of Graham’s passing. Graham was admired, loved and respected by many across the country. I was so happy to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Graham over the years and to be in touch with him on a very special project this past spring.
He will be greatly missed and always remembered. My deepest sympathies to Mrs. Chance and the family.
Elaine Orrbine
Marnie Wegman
Thanks to Dr. Chance we have 2 very healthy daughters who came through the NICU @ St Jos back in the 80’s. His caring manner, expertise and encouragement guided us through the most traumatic times in all of our lives. He was certainly a guardian angel to countless babies very the years…..thank you Dr. chance!
Gwen Peterek
My deepest condolences are extended to Dr. Chance’s wife, Mary, and their family. I feel privileged to have known Dr. Chance as both a mentor and a friend for over 30 years. It was his vision, dedication and passion for the care of mothers and babies that led to the development of the Perinatal Outreach Program of Southwestern Ontario. Graham was a tireless advocate of family-centred care encouraging both physician and nursing colleagues alike to pursue evidence-based practice and to strive for excellence. Not only was he a wise and compassionate physician, he was a friend to many whose deep Christian faith was reflected in all that he did. A truly remarkable man whom I will always remember with great admiration. Graham will be dearly missed. I wish Mary and the family God’s peace and comfort.
Scott Fortnum
A kind and thoughtful gentleman and a wonderful supporter of Children’s Health Foundation. Thank you so very much. You will be missed and certainly remembered.
David and Joanne Olson
Joanne and I are both saddened about Graham’s unexpected passing. We remember him as a caring, kind man. He was an excellent physician and academic leader. He advocated for me and contributed to my first appointment in the Pediatrics Department in London. I have always been grateful for that. He demanded a lot from others, but at the same time, he demanded a lot from himself; he was that kind of leader.
Graham took time to remember and ask about others. At each opportunity he asked about Joanne or our daughters, Erica and Kristen. He was very generous, giving of his time to people and projects in which he believed. Graham was also a fun person, enjoyed a good joke and was always ready for a party, either hosting or attending them. A treat at each of these was Mary’s English Trifle. We’ve never tasted better.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary and her family. Graham will never leave our memories.
Alan Bocking
Victor Han and I were young faculty members when we started at Western and St. Joseph’s Hospital in the mid-1980’s, when Graham was already a national leader in neonatal-perinatal medicine. I recall that in addition to being a superb, empathetic and compassionate physician/teacher, he was also very much a leader in forging new paths and approaches to the care of pregnant women, families and their newborns. One example of this was the establishment of a Perinatal Loss Committee at St. Joseph’s Hospital, which was one of the first such Committees, to my knowledge, in Canada. The Committee created new models of care and protocols for caring for women and families, who had experienced a pregnancy loss or the loss of a newborn. Many of the approaches that Graham proposed and put in place, which we now take for granted, but at that time, were extremely novel and were a reflection of his deep appreciation for the “human” side of healthcare. Graham was also a passionate and effective advocate for children in Canada – he led the Canadian Institute of Child Health, which was charged with promoting and protecting the health and well-being and rights of all children and youth in Canada, and authored a number of books with guidelines on best practices for maternal and child health care. Barb and I were fortunate to see Graham and Mary in Goderich in the summer for a brief period, and my regret is that we were not able to spend more time reminiscing about “old times “.
Ann aarts
So many memories. He was the kind of man who left a lasting impression and a desire to emulate him. We are all better people and professionals for having worked, learned and even grieved with him. He had the patience to champion change and watch it happen. The patience of caring for a premature baby , the many exchange transfusions he sat through. He knew there would be a positive outcome even if it took hours or days. Thank-you Mary for sharing him with us. He changed us all. My condolences . Ann Aarts
John Biehn
I was at St. Josephs when you came on the scene and made a very significant impact. Your soft spoken and polite
manner as well as skills were always evident. Later We interacted at Diocesan functions and I saw another side of you
which I hadn’t realized.
Bryan Richardson
I was saddened to hear of Graham`s passing, but know he lived a full life and touched many of us along his way. As a trainee and subsequently a colleague, I very much benefited from his mentorship and friendship through the years in London. I am especially glad I had the opportunity to catch up with both he and Mary at the Whaley Fellowship get together this past summer, where Graham continued to be excited by the research presented.
Shoo and Sian Lee
Graham, you were kind, compassionate and giving, and such an example to all of us. You taught us not only how to heal the sick but more importanly, how to be good human beings and to love others as ourselves. Thank you for being our teacher, mentor and friend. We will always remember you fondly and with admiration.
Shoo and Sian Lee
Carol Kovacevic (Beaudoin)
My deepest sympathy Mary and to your family. Graham will always be remembered as a very kind individual, always willing to listen and support new ideas. He championed the Nurse Practitioner role in the NICU for which I will be forever grateful. He was always full of encouragement and support for nurses being able to do more. It was a time with few residents and Graham said why not have nurses fill this void given their expertise. As a result I went on to become the first NP in the NICU. Graham loved to teach and share his enthusiasm for newborn care. It was an honour to work with him.
Victor Han
Winsome and I were very happy that Dr. Chance and Mary were able to join the celebration of our mutual good friend, Dr. Paul Harding, on his Distinguished Alumnus Award, at the recent Schulich Dean’s Gala on November 20th. The physical challenge of his less mobile hips did not prevent him from traveling to London from Goderich. As usual, he was bright and cheerful, and full of enthusiasm and energy. This is how I will remember Dr. Chance.
Dr. Chance brought me to Canada from UK in 1980 as the first clinical/research fellow of the Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Program at Western, and since then, he had been a mentor and a role model. He taught me to be a good and caring neonatologist, and a strong and supportive leader. Dr. Chance will continue to live through many of us, whom he mentored, for many years to come.
Debra Miller
My sincere condolences to Dr Chance’s family — You shared your husband and father with us as colleagues, and with all the wee babes and their parents. The world is a better place for his kindness, his incredible expertise, his wisdom, and his passion for showing everyone respect. All of the nurses in the St Joe’s NICU has a favourite story of Dr. Chance. We are all better nurses because of our ability to work with him! Blessings to his family.
Gregor Reid
A consummate professional whose calmness and brilliant medical knowledge helped us as our premature twins came into this world. He changed neonatal medicine in ways that have benefited so many children. His legacy lives on, and he will be fondly remembered as a dear man of hope. God bless his loved ones.
Michelle Angelini
The following is one of my best personal memories of Dr. Chance. Many years ago, I received a terrible news while at work in the NICU at St. Joe’s that I had some type of tumor, probably cancer. I couldn’t finish my shift, so I left the unit early and was waiting outside for my husband to pick me up. I was standing in front of the hospital crying my heart out when Dr. Chance came out of the hospital. As he passed by me, he realized I had been crying. Of course, he stopped and asked if I was OK and he offered me a lift to wherever I needed to go. Most importantly, he knew that I needed someone to talk to and it was not a time to be alone. So he stayed with me until my husband came. When I think back to that moment, I remember that he was rushing by me, but when he knew I was in distress, he stopped to talk and consoled me, and time had no matter.
I am sure that so many parents in their darkest hours have received such kindness and compassion, and the world is a better place because of Dr. Chance.
john challis
Graham was a wonderful example to us all in his passion and commitment, his advocacy, his hard work and scholarship. He set the bar very high.
His legacy is in all those who were influenced by him, scholars, physicians, and most of all the neonates for whom he cared so deeply
Bob Bourne
Donna and I would like to express our sadness on the passing of Graham, a truly great man. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mary, Andrea, Valerie and Chris. We wish that we could be with you, but are away on our annual Operation Walk medical mission to Guatemala. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Warmest personal regards,
Donna and Bob Bourne
Kathy Ayers
Fond memories of the neonatal unit and its staff associated with Dr. Chance. Seems like many years ago. I often laughed that we shared the same birth place Birmingham England. He was a well renowned neonatal physician. He will be sadly missed. Condolences to al his family. God Bless. Kathy Ayers
Pennie Jevnikar
My husband John and I met Dr. Chance almost 31 years ago when our second child was born very prematurely. He was such an integral part of our lives for her rather tumultuous initial three months of life and when, fourteen months later, we had another extremely premature baby it was a relief to find Dr. Chance still on duty! His knowledge and calming demeanour were so crucial to us as distressed parents and he was definitely the leader of the magnificent team in the NICU.
On October 20th I attended the Dean’s Gala associated with UWO’s Homecoming. Much to my great delight Dr. and Mrs. Chance were there and we had a fabulous visit. I shall always cherish the picture that I have of Dr. Chance with Dr. Victor Han and me.
Dear Chance Family: thank you so much for sharing your husband and father with we NICU families. We can never tell you all that Dr. Chance meant to us. As just one family I assure you that the Jevnikar’s are deeply grateful and consider our time with him to have been a blessing.
Bev Jackson
In memory of a great man whom I highly respected and was fortunate to have the priviledge and honour of working with for many years. Dr. Chance was a warm, caring physician and he valued every member of the NICU team. He cared deeply for the wee infants and their families. He will not be forgotten.
John Thompson
I was privileged to have been a colleague of Graham’s at St Joseph’s Hospital in London many years ago. I was in awe of his knowledge, energy, and insight into the needs of his little patients. I was also blessed with his friendship — we were never close but he always greeted me as if I were someone he was delighted to encounter again. He was the kind of person whose life makes a real difference in our world.
Don Bocking
Dr. Chance saved our first-born son Chris on September 25, 1982. Chris was born with meconium aspiration and needed immediate neo-natal care. Dr. Chance and his team worked tirelessly to save Chris and today Chris is a healthy 36 year old man. Without Dr. Chance’s amazing skills and knowledge our lives and Chris’ would have turned out very differently. We are sure there are thousands of stories like ours thanks to Dr. Chance. We will always remember what he did for Chris and our family. With thanks. Don and Anne
Joanne Roulston
I was very fortunate to work with Graham on the board of the Canadian Institute of Child Health in the late 1990s. Graham’s commitment to children and to health education was phenomenal, as was his big warm heart. He will be missed.
Gayle Purser
Dear Mrs. Chance and family.
I was so sad to hear of your loss of Dr. Chance.
I learned so much from him ,in my years as an Obstetrical Nurse in Goderich. Such a brilliant man, and a true gentleman.
It was my pleasure to get to know both of you, when you retired to Goderich, and chose The Goderich Medical a Centre, to serve your health needs.
Sincerely
Gayle Purser, retired RN
Dr. Benjamin Goldberg
It was a privilege to have known Dr. Chance. He was a pioneer in the prevention of developmental disabilities. His creation of the Neonatal Outreach Units, was a significant contribution to this effort. This will be his lasting memorial . It was a privilege to have known him. My sympathies to his family.
Denise Avard
It is with great sense of sadness that we wish our heartfelt sympathies to Mary and her family. However, this sadness can turn to joy knowing that Graham had a lifetime of caring and was a beacon as an advocate for Canada’s children while at the Canadian Institute of Child Health(CICH).Please accept our sincere condolences at this time and remain assured that the memory of Graham is and will remain deeply engraved in our mind. Most sincerely, Denise Avard and Eef Harmsen
John Sullivan
Praying for you Mary and your beautiful family. May God bring peace and comfort to you now and the days to come!! It is such a blessing to have someone by your side for 57 years. Love you!
Connie Tasker
I was so sorry to read of Dr. Chances passing. He was such an inspiration to me when my son was born 2 months early at St. Joes in London. He was so kind and concerned and had lots of time to talk to me and make me feel better. That was over 27 years ago. I had seen him a couple of times in Goderich and had a little chat. He has been such a mentor for a lot of new moms and I am sure you will miss him a lot. Wonderful man RIP
Marta Nuijten
Dear Mrs. Chance and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
I had the privilege of knowing Graham through the Canadian Institute of Child Health.He was a passionate and caring man who was very supportive of all the work done by the organization on behalf of Canadian Children and Youth.
Michael Rieder
Dr Chance was one of the most dedicated, focused and talented physicians that I have ever known. When I moved to London, having trained in the US, he extended the kindness of helping me prepare for my Canadian exams. He was a tough mentor who set high standards, and his guidance and wisdom were key elements in my qualifying to practice in Canada. Over the years I have highly valued his insightful perspective on children’s care, ethics and the role of the physician in a dynamic and changing system. His advocacy, hard work and passion for excellence created an outstanding tradition in London and beyond and he will be sorely missed.
Vince Stark
A God Loving man, who was the patriarch of our Family. He loved his wife more than anything in this world.
Denise Avard
It with great sense of sadness that we wish our heartfelt sympathies to Mary and the family. However, this sadness can turn to joy knowing that Graham had a lifetime of caring and was a beacon as an advocate for Canada’s children while at the Canadian Institute of Child Health (CICH).
Please accept our sincere condolences at this time and remain assured that the memory of Graham is and will remain deeply engraved in our mind. I cannot forget that I work very closely with Graham while at the CICH.
Most sincerely, Denise Avard and Eef Harmsen
nancy dodman
It was a pleasure and an honour to work with such an inspiring man. His influence continues to love on day by day in perinatal units around the region and country.
Rest in peace Graham.
Nancy Dodman
Sheila Johnston
Dr. Chance was the founder of the Perinatal Outreach Program (now Maternal Newborn Child and Youth Network) and retired a number of years ago. The staff and Physicians of the Program were privileged to have recently seen Dr. Chance and his lovely wife, Mary, when they attended the 31st Annual Perinatal Outreach Conference in Stratford a few weeks ago. He was inspiring to many who were in attendance and remained one of the most remarkably passionate advocates for newborn healthcare. We will miss his memories and stories about the early years in Neonatology, his smile and the twinkle in his eye. Our sympathies go out to Mary and the family and extended family.