Dr. Victor George Lawson (born Lewonuk), MD, FRCS(C), FACS board-certified otolaryngologist and surgeon, passed away at Liberty Ridge Memory Care at the age of 89 on June 5, 2025 in Lexington, Ky.
Vic will be remembered as classy, outstandingly well-dressed (Mr. GQ), and an elegant Renaissance man. His generosity to all was appreciated. He was a brilliant, kind, reserved, private, and yet passionate man. All of us who knew Victor Lawson had the rare opportunity of encountering a human being of immense qualities, a man of incredible energy and intellect, and an extraordinary individual whom we will always continue to love and admire.
An avid runner and member of Joe’s Joggers at the Granite Club, he ran the New York City, Washington Marine Corps, Ottawa and Bermuda marathons. He delighted in classic cars, having owned a Porsche 911, Maserati Ghibli, Jaguar, Panther Turbo Lima, a Lincoln, Fiat Cabriolets, BMWs, and a Peugeot. His favourite readings included Hemmings Motor News and Classic Car as well as daily newspapers from front-to-back.
Vic enjoyed the finer things in life and beautiful objects. One of his passions included collecting antiques and artwork. He accumulated numerous original paintings of Corbett barns, Louis Taylor pencil sketches of Victorian houses, and original paintings by Ted Harrison. He had an appreciation for glassware and crystal (Cranberry glass, champagne flutes, depression and pressed glass, Moser, Steuben, Lalique, Baccarat), and fine English porcelain. For his entire adult life, he could be found with a cat in his lap. James Bond, Florence, and Ivana ranked as his favourites.
Victor is survived by the love of his life Joanne Chesney of 32 years whom he cherished, his two sons David and Andrew (Jennifer Stewart), his daughter Susie, his daughter-in-law Lori, his grandchildren Adam, Kaitlyn, Rebecca, Alexander and Isla, the mother of his children, Sandy, and Karen Campney, and her son Nicholas.
He leaves behind nieces and nephews Carol Malinas (Robert Hastings), Kathy (Val) Steffan, Jennifer Brooy, Lorri Brooy, Karen Kristine (Stephen Graham), Robert Rennick (Adrienne Trent), and Lianne Rennick (Tom Barker), and 16 great-nieces and nephews and 13 great-great nieces/nephews. His goddaughter Jessica Gilmore and great-nephew Drew Pahapill held a special place in his heart. Additionally, he is also survived by his cousins Steve Solowayko of Toronto, Susan (Matt) Kairis of Dallas, and John (Heidi) Remchick of Olmsted Falls, Ohio, and their families, as well as his in-laws Victoria and John (deceased 2015) Chesney, Carolyn Chesney (Robert Drost) and Veronica Chesney.
He was predeceased by his parents Christina (Nikolaychuk) and Onufry Lewonuk, who immigrated to Canada from Poland, his sisters Patricia (Walter) Brooy, and Alexandra (Walter) Rennick, tragically his beloved son Geoffrey in an automobile accident at the age of 33 (2001), his great-niece Nicole Steffan of breast cancer at the age of 38 (2023), his nephew Kent Rennick of cancer (2024) and his beloved cousin Thomas Remchick (2016) of Columbus, Ohio.
Vic, as he was referred to by his sisters and extended family, was born in Toronto (the only person to be so in his family) and grew up on Bathurst Street. He was adored by his older sisters, learned to play the accordion, and loved listening in on conversations his dad had with friends about politics. Vic cherished the family road trips to visit aunts, uncles and cousins in the United States. He greatly enjoyed sharing stories with his nieces and nephews about his world travels and his various work and personal meetings with celebrities and politicians.
Vic attended Harbord Collegiate, where he was part of a tight-knit group of boys who played hockey and football, many of whom would eventually go to the University of Toronto together. He had an appreciation for the raw beauty of Canada, which he shared with his children at both the cottage on Balsam Lake and nearby Northridge farm (Glenarm) with its many animals, including his beloved donkey Carmen, trout ponds, flock of Muscovy ducks, and huge vegetable garden. Flying on Bearskin Airways to Big Trout Lake was a fond memory. Like many Torontonians, he was an avid Blue Jays fan, an affliction he passed onto his children and grandchildren, attending many a cold, wet spring game with family and friends at Exhibition Stadium and relishing in the Jays' later success as world champions following their move to the SkyDome.
Dr. Lawson completed his medical degree at the University of Toronto and was one of the youngest in his class. He furthered his studies with a residency in otolaryngology and fellowship in head and neck surgery at the University of Toronto, and a post-doctoral fellowship in otology at UCLA in the division of head and neck surgery. He later became the chief of otolaryngology and chief of staff at Toronto Western Hospital.
He actively pursued continued learning and growth throughout his life, and in the latter part of his career was on the forefront of the introduction and broad acceptance of the harmonic scalpel and LandmarX image guidance system for sinus surgery. He was a consummate professional who held firm to accurate disease diagnosis, definitive treatment, and consistent skill. He was not tolerant of joviality, slipshod standards or training, or inattention to detail in the operating room. As much as Dr. Lawson enjoyed learning, his real passion was in teaching others. Dr. Lawson was delighted when his students acknowledged his contribution to their learning and success.
He was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He was a diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and a fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Society for Head & Neck Surgery, as well as a Member of the Royal Society of Medicine (U.K.).
He presented at international symposiums in Japan, Hong Kong and Pakistan and was a visiting professor pro tempore at the Cleveland Clinic. He was interviewed by CNN for Health Watch in 1982 and was featured on the front page of the Toronto Star that year under the headline "Surgery restores cancer victim’s face” (1982). Dr. Lawson was proud to be invited to lecture and teach in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Better yet, he was recognized by a former student in Las Vegas who respectfully recalled every lecture Dr. Lawson had given almost 30 years earlier. Dr. Lawson produced a steady research output between 1976 and 1992, advancing surgical techniques. Through his published work, he acquired and maintained international recognition over nearly as long a period. In the sense that this can be said of only a small fraction of medical researchers (and of a yet smaller fraction of practicing physicians), Dr. Lawson occupied an unusually high position of recognition and accomplishment in the field of otolaryngology.
Dr. Lawson later practised throughout central Kentucky including Lexington, Cynthiana, Flemingsburg, Paris, Georgetown, Owenton, Versailles, Richmond, Pineville and Manchester. He was a very proud Kentucky Colonel. At an OperaLex fundraising auction, Vic successfully bid to be “a minor character in an upcoming book” to be written by local Lexington author Judy Higgins. In 2023, Higgins released a fictional mystery novel, “A Reckoning of Wolves,” and Dr. Victor Lawson was the book’s main character! In Higgins’ words, “the main character is calm, reflective, naïve, adventurous, respectful and loyal with a strong drive to help." It moved Vic deeply when the book was so well received. Upon his retirement in 2021, he received countless cards, gifts and calls from appreciative patients. He was overwhelmed with the expressions of gratitude for his outstanding and respectful care.
Professionally he relished in the support and loyalty he received from Kathy Sowder, who worked with him from 1999 until his retirement, Nancy Curtis (transcriptionist), Sharon MacLean (Nova Scotia) and colleagues Dr. Shane Gainey, Dr. Don (Jeanne) McDaniels, Dr. Dana and Angel Edwards, Dr. Gerry (Cassie) Harpel, Dr. Bill Moran, Jeff Taylor CNRA, Dr. Glenn Womack, Dr. Doug Crutcher, Dr. Sanford Archer and Dr. Sandra Bouzaglou, Dr. Bill Dymon (Toronto), and Dr. Jeffrey Weinberger (Israel).
His Griffin Gate neighbours (both current and former) were lovely. Special thanks to Mary and Lee Partin, Sharon and Gary Stewart, Robin and Mike Owens, Donna and John Delpont, Glenda and David Huff, Becky and Larry Stull, Jamie and Dr. Greg Fox, Dr. Laura Hummel, Bernadine Witchey, and Chris McCarron. Also, Susan and Dr. Norman Plovnick, and Mary and Phil (deceased 2019) Puddington.
Victor always appreciated the friendship and generosity of Vickie and Lennie (deceased 2015) House. The sudden passing of his close friend Dr. David Ison (Tracy) in 2020 was a profound loss.
Sincere thanks to Dr. John Ross (University Health Network in Toronto), Dr. Justin Penticuff of Central Baptist Urology, and Dr. John Richard of Bluegrass Extended Care, who were brilliant in their care of Vic. As Vic struggled with advanced memory loss, we were blessed to have Marie Smart, formerly of the University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, as an outstanding resource and guide. Additionally, Meredith Plant, of the Lexington chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and Amber Lakyn and Carla Guthrie of Silver Lexington. The staff at Liberty Ridge foster an environment of compassion and fun. Words cannot convey the profound gratitude for the care by Paula D., Paula L., Martasha, Samantha, Darla, Cathy Swain (manager) and Suzanne Schroerlucke (administrator).
Our real shining light was Sandy Carlton, who was Victor’s amazing caregiver prior to Liberty Ridge. It takes a village to support not only the person with a memory disease, but also the spouse. Joanne deeply appreciated the texts and calls of encouragement, support, and check-ins on Victor from her sister Carolyn Chesney, and Vic’s family Jennifer Brooy, Jessica Gilmore, Lori Lawson, Dr. Kaitlyn Lawson, and Lianne Rennick. Additionally, Kathy Sowder, Cassie & Dr. Gerry Harpel, Angel & Dr. Dana Edwards, Robin Dahl Owens, Sharon Stewart, Tracy Ison, and Wesley Wood.
Should you desire, the family would be grateful for donations to the University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. Cremation has taken place. View and sign the guest book at Ware Funeral Home.