Obituary for Dr. David Bigelow Coulson
COULSON, Dr. David
The family of Dr. David Coulson sadly announces his death on December 29th in Kingston Ontario, with his stepdaughter Rosemary by his side. Born March 18, 1931 to Robert Berry McAllen Coulson and Florence May Bigelow, he attended local schools in Port Arthur and received his Medical Degree from Queen’s University in 1955. In 1952, he married his childhood sweetheart Patricia Ilau Tetley. Upon graduation, David and family returned to Port Arthur where he signed on to work at the Port Arthur Clinic as one of the early partners. David practiced there for many years. They had four children, Anne, Jane, Mary, and Susan.
David had many varied interests that he pursued in his limited non-work hours. He was an avid skier, proud of the fact that he skied Mount Baldy prior to the lift being installed. He was also a golfer and curler. David was an active member of the Canadian Naval Reserve and rose to the rank of Captain(Navy). He served as the Senior Naval Reserve Medical Advisor and was the Canadian Representative to the NATO committee of the Interallied Conference of Reserve Medical Officers. In this capacity, he travelled extensively to conferences throughout the world which provided an opportunity for interesting travel with his wife, Pat. An important milestone in his career was his appointment as Commanding Officer of HMCS Griffon, the first Medical Officer to hold that honour. Known throughout the Naval Reserve as “Doc”, he was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration with clasp and was inducted as an Officer in the Knights of Lazarus.
In his medical career, David held positions on the Board of St Joseph’s Hospital, as Chief of Staff of St Joseph’s Hospital and board member for Bethammi, St. Joseph’s Heritage. He also served as President of the Thunder Bay Medical Association and was an active member of the Naval Officers Association of Canada.
David and Pat had a special place in their heart for their property at Two Island Lake and it served as a peaceful retreat from his busy medical practice. Summers spent at “camp” created lifelong memories for family as well as extended family and friends. David was actively involved in the Two Island Lake Campers Association, acting as Mayor numerous years.
The passing of Pat in January, 1992 was a sad time. While learning to live with his loss, he was reacquainted with his school friend Beverley Wilson. They married in September, 1992 and spent the next thirty years having adventures and watching their families grow. David and Beverley moved to St. Anthony, Newfoundland where they both worked at the Curtis Memorial Hospital. They spent interesting years there before moving on to Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia, Kingston, Ontario and finally returning to Thunder Bay with David practicing in Primary Care in each location. He retired in 2012 at the age of 81. In total, David practiced medicine for 57 years.
David and Beverley shared many happy times at Amethyst Beach. Earning the moniker ‘The Lawn Ranger’, he loved to work outdoors to make space for fun with family and friends.
David was predeceased by his parents, first wife Pat, and his daughter Jane. He is survived by his wife Beverley, daughters Anne (Ray) Zuliani, Mary (John) Gardam, Rev. Susan (Peter) Ivany, son-in-law Frank Edgson, stepchildren Dr. Rosemary Wilson (Jim Colquhoun), George Wilson (Kerri Harris) and a large extended family. Left to mourn are 15 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
The family extends a sincere thank you to the following for care provided to David: The staff of Montreal 4, Providence Manor and Hildegard Day Care, KFLA Home and Community Care Services, Dr. Jane Glassco, Dr. Chris Frank, The Royal Canadian Legion (Ontario Command) and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
A celebration of David’s life will take place later this year, with more information to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations in David’s memory may be made to The St. John’s (Portsmouth) Anglican Church Foodbank in Kingston ,41 Church St, Kingston, ON K7M 1H2, The Thunder Bay Food Bank or the charity of your choice.
The family of Dr. David Coulson sadly announces his death on December 29th in Kingston Ontario, with his stepdaughter Rosemary by his side. Born March 18, 1931 to Robert Berry McAllen Coulson and Florence May Bigelow, he attended local schools in Port Arthur and received his Medical Degree from Queen’s University in 1955. In 1952, he married his childhood sweetheart Patricia Ilau Tetley. Upon graduation, David and family returned to Port Arthur where he signed on to work at the Port Arthur Clinic as one of the early partners. David practiced there for many years. They had four children, Anne, Jane, Mary, and Susan.
David had many varied interests that he pursued in his limited non-work hours. He was an avid skier, proud of the fact that he skied Mount Baldy prior to the lift being installed. He was also a golfer and curler. David was an active member of the Canadian Naval Reserve and rose to the rank of Captain(Navy). He served as the Senior Naval Reserve Medical Advisor and was the Canadian Representative to the NATO committee of the Interallied Conference of Reserve Medical Officers. In this capacity, he travelled extensively to conferences throughout the world which provided an opportunity for interesting travel with his wife, Pat. An important milestone in his career was his appointment as Commanding Officer of HMCS Griffon, the first Medical Officer to hold that honour. Known throughout the Naval Reserve as “Doc”, he was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration with clasp and was inducted as an Officer in the Knights of Lazarus.
In his medical career, David held positions on the Board of St Joseph’s Hospital, as Chief of Staff of St Joseph’s Hospital and board member for Bethammi, St. Joseph’s Heritage. He also served as President of the Thunder Bay Medical Association and was an active member of the Naval Officers Association of Canada.
David and Pat had a special place in their heart for their property at Two Island Lake and it served as a peaceful retreat from his busy medical practice. Summers spent at “camp” created lifelong memories for family as well as extended family and friends. David was actively involved in the Two Island Lake Campers Association, acting as Mayor numerous years.
The passing of Pat in January, 1992 was a sad time. While learning to live with his loss, he was reacquainted with his school friend Beverley Wilson. They married in September, 1992 and spent the next thirty years having adventures and watching their families grow. David and Beverley moved to St. Anthony, Newfoundland where they both worked at the Curtis Memorial Hospital. They spent interesting years there before moving on to Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia, Kingston, Ontario and finally returning to Thunder Bay with David practicing in Primary Care in each location. He retired in 2012 at the age of 81. In total, David practiced medicine for 57 years.
David and Beverley shared many happy times at Amethyst Beach. Earning the moniker ‘The Lawn Ranger’, he loved to work outdoors to make space for fun with family and friends.
David was predeceased by his parents, first wife Pat, and his daughter Jane. He is survived by his wife Beverley, daughters Anne (Ray) Zuliani, Mary (John) Gardam, Rev. Susan (Peter) Ivany, son-in-law Frank Edgson, stepchildren Dr. Rosemary Wilson (Jim Colquhoun), George Wilson (Kerri Harris) and a large extended family. Left to mourn are 15 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
The family extends a sincere thank you to the following for care provided to David: The staff of Montreal 4, Providence Manor and Hildegard Day Care, KFLA Home and Community Care Services, Dr. Jane Glassco, Dr. Chris Frank, The Royal Canadian Legion (Ontario Command) and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
A celebration of David’s life will take place later this year, with more information to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations in David’s memory may be made to The St. John’s (Portsmouth) Anglican Church Foodbank in Kingston ,41 Church St, Kingston, ON K7M 1H2, The Thunder Bay Food Bank or the charity of your choice.