BLANCHETTE, DR. VICTOR S. Victor died peacefully, after a courageous journey with cancer on April 26, 2024. Born in Barbados on April 12, 1945, he was the son of the late Sir Stanley and Pearl, Lady Blanchette; and treasured brother of Monica Ward and Richard Blanchette (Margaret). Beloved husband of Yvonne; and cherished father to Anne-Marie, Michael-Lisle, Nicholas (Karen), Andrew (Kelly) and Phillip (Ana Maria). Treasured "Grandad" to Sophia, Lauren, Caitlin, Ava, Morgan, and Louis.
Victor graduated from Harrison's College in Barbados before studying medicine, his life's passion, at Pembroke College, Cambridge University. He did postgraduate training at St. Bartholemew's in London, before a Pediatric Residency at John Hopkin's University in Baltimore and a Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at McMaster in Hamilton. His first staff position was at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa and in 1983 Victor joined the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto to lead the Hemophilia Program.
Victor was a relentless advocate for children and families impacted by hemophilia. He believed that there were always better therapies through scientific advance and research which could improve the effectiveness, safety and quality of life for his patients. He had an uncanny ability to make his patients and families feel heard and respected, and they benefited from his boundless energy and infectious smile.
From 1998 to 2010, Victor was the Chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Sick Kids. As Chief, he was instrumental in expanding many programs and collaborating with hospitals across Canada and across the world to improve care for children with cancer and bleeding disorders. After 2010, Victor's focus and passion was the creation of the SickKids-Caribbean Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Initiative (SCI) which linked Sick Kids and hospitals and health programs throughout the Caribbean to train new generations of Caribbean medical professionals. Victor wanted to give back to the island of his roots and was deeply honoured to be given the Silver Cross of Merit by his island of Barbados in 2017 in recognition of his work.
Victor's career was defined by compassion, collegiality and respect for everyone he collaborated with, and he gained so much happiness from the successes of his colleagues, nurses, research teams, fellows and students. He was a cherished mentor, friend and father figure to many. Victor loved his childhood sweetheart and wife of 52 years, Yvonne; his four sons; and his six grandchildren. Victor will also be warmly remembered by a network of family and friends across the world.
He loved travel, a nice walk to Lake Ontario, duck or scallops at a good restaurant, and a fine scotch. Victor was a great lover of the sport of kings, horse racing, from his childhood watching races at the Garrison track in Barbados. He was thrilled to have been an owner of a race winning horse at Woodbine, and to have taken his sons to see the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and above all, to see American Pharoah win the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes in 2015. While he also came to love his chosen home of Canada (especially the Toronto sports teams), Victor always loved his birthplace of Barbados. He enjoyed walking the beach at Carlisle Bay or Cattlewash, a good ham cutter, and the rum punch at the Barbados Yacht Club. "You can take the boy out of Barbados, you cannot take Barbados out of the boy."
The Blanchette family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to Drs. Keith McIntyre, Peter Stotland, Paul Karanicolas, Anthony Braide, Patrick Cheung and Lynne Benjamin, and all of Victor's nursing and support teams at Sunnybrook, North York, St. Michael's and Credit Valley Hospitals. Special thanks to Dr. Yoo-Joung Ko, for being Victor's "Captain" through his cancer journey, and Dr. Maurana Brush, who was his invaluable guide through palliative care. Everyone treated Victor and his family with tremendous grace and respect.
Victor's family is deeply grateful to the entire palliative care team and volunteers at Ian Anderson House in Oakville, who made Victor's final days ones of calm and peace, and allowed his family invaluable moments with him.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations may be made to the Ian Anderson House. Messages or condolences can be made at: blanchettebrothers@gmail.com. The family would love to hear from all those who have a warm memory or photo of Victor they would like to share.