Dr. Rory Henry Grattan Fisher passed away, at his home on Jan. 7, 2024. Born May 29, 1936, the only son of Dr. Harry Fisher and Jennie Fisher (nee Gallagher) of Brighton, Sussex, England, and formerly of Dublin, Ireland. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Maeve (nee McNamara); and is survived by his daughter, Clare (Paul); son, Gavin (Pauline); and grandchildren, Liam, Alannah and Aidan.
Rory was educated at Downside School, Somerset, England. He studied medicine at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, where he also received a BA in English literature and Irish history and remained an avid reader all his life. He boxed for Trinity College and played rugby for Sir Patrick Duns Hospital. Rory was a keen sailor, and in later years, a keen lawn bowler at the RCYC. Rory practiced geriatric medicine in England before moving to Canada in 1971, becoming head of the Department of Extended Care, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre in 1973. At Sunnybrook, he introduced innovative programs aimed at maintaining veterans in the community and led a comprehensive approach to palliative care.
Rory was able to combine his and Maeve's love of travel with work by attending and speaking at international conferences, Brazil and Japan were among their favourites. Maeve and Rory enjoyed entertaining guests at their home and took pleasure in displaying hospitality to their many friends.
Dr. Fisher was a Fellow of both the Royal Colleges of Physicians of Edinburgh and Canada. He was a professor emeritus Department of Medicine, University of Toronto. He has been president of both the Canadian Geriatric Society and the Canadian Association on Gerontology. He was director of the Interdepartmental Division of Geriatrics at, University of Toronto, and director of the Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto. He was also chair of the Regional Geriatric Programs of Ontario and a member of the board of the Pan American North American Council. He was on the Advisory Council and the board of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute. He has been president of the Toronto Catholic Doctors Guild. Dr. Fisher was a member of the Board of the Canadian Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and had served as chair of the Membership and Recruitment Committee. He was a Knight of Magistral Grace and awarded the Cross pro Melitensi Merito. In 2012, Rory was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and was invested with the Order of Ontario in 2013.
Rory's family would like to thank his many colleagues at Sunnybrook, Dr. Melnitzer of the Temmy Latner Palliative Care Program, and his PSWs, Rebecca, Eva and Daisy, for their excellent care.