Orthopedic surgeon
On Jan. 3, 2026, at age 90, Dr. Ian James Harrington passed away at Sunnybrook Hospital after a brief medical illness. Ian was born in Ottawa at the Salvation Army Grace Hospital on Sept. 11, 1935, to William and Annie (Martin) Harrington. Ian was the beloved husband of Jeanne (Hunter) for 60 years. In his own words, “I have a beautiful wife, Jeanne, with a good sense of humour who has spoiled me.” He is survived by his sister, Mary (Barry) Campbell, of Cobourg. Proud father of John (Leanne), Robert (Donna), Kristine and Karen (Mike), Ian was blessed with and loved by nine grandchildren; Matthew, Luke (Hillary), Andrew, Elizabeth, Kendra, Cynthia, Danielle, Sophie and Gabriel.
After graduating from Fisher Park High School in 1954, he attended civil engineering at the University of Toronto. Completing studies in 1958, he worked for the Department of Highways as a field engineer for two years, working on projects near London, Ont., including sections of Highway 22 and the Highway 401 near Woodstock. Stricken with polio at age two, Ian had, however, grown up with a dream of being a doctor. He was accepted into medical school at the University of Western Ontario in 1961, graduating in 1965. He completed a rotating internship at Toronto Western Hospital in 1966, followed by a year of pathology residency in London before starting orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Toronto, passing his Royal College examinations in 1971. Ian then worked with Dr. Ed Simmons at Toronto East General Hospital as a clinical and research fellow, where he earned an M.S. from U of T on “design of a total knee prosthesis,” a relatively new concept at the time. The following year was spent in Glasgow, Scotland, at the University of Strathclyde working toward an M.Sc. on the biomechanics of normal and pathological gait. In 1973, Ian started orthopedic practice at Toronto East General Hospital, where he practised continuously until 2020.
He held many roles at TEGH, including chief of staff, chief of surgery and chief of orthopedics. He also worked at Hugh MacMillan Rehabilitation Centre and West Park Hospital. As an assistant professor at U of T, Ian actively participated in training many orthopedic residents and fellows, which he enjoyed immensely, winning the Robert Salter Award for teaching excellence in 1996. In 2018, Ian was inducted into the University of Toronto, Orthopedic Surgery, Hall of Fame, an honour that he was extremely proud of.
Ian loved oil painting, music, reading, military history, bicycling and swimming. He also had a passion for photography and loved to attend sporting events, taking action shots of the grandchildren at play. He spent many summers at the family cottage near Tobermory painting landscapes, relaxing and creating lasting memories for all who knew and loved him.