In Memory – Dr. Paul Patey

2024-11-28

It’s with great sadness we share that Dr. Paul Patey, the CFPC President from 1984 to 1985, passed away on October 22, 2024.

Dr. Patey will be fondly remembered for his enduring belief in the power of love and healing. He often emphasized the importance of patients being the reason for caring, which then empowers care. Throughout his life, Dr. Patey tried “to help love grow” while also encouraging colleagues and students to maintain their capacity to care.

Since he was 12 years old, Dr. Patey dreamed of becoming a doctor. He earned his BSc at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) and an MD and MSc at McGill University, starting his career in medicine on The Rock in 1968. Dr. Patey loved being a family doctor but thought he could do more by teaching students. He began teaching at the MUN, passing his love of the profession to students and retiring in 2002 after more than 26 years at the university and in family medicine.

After his retirement, Dr. Patey did locums in rural Newfoundland including at the William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne where, in 2010, he saved the life of a young man using a drill.

Dr. Patey held many roles throughout his career including the Royal Commission, head of the Family Practice Department of the MUN Medical Faculty; and President of the CFPC, where he showed leadership by example including one phrase that is still spoken at the College today: “You have two ears and one mouth – use them accordingly.”

Throughout his retirement, he also wrote a column in the MUNMED newsletter, which lead to Dr. Patey publishing a book, Try to Help Love Grow.

Dr. Patey was the recipient of the Donald I Rice Award from the CFPC in 1992 and was awarded the Canadian Medical Association Honorary Life Membership in 2023.

Dr. Patey leaves behind his wife Shirley, and their four children as well as grandchildren, and great-grandchildren along with countless other family and friends, colleagues, and former students who have shared memories of a man who could move them to tears but also make them laugh out loud while he shared stories of compassion and kindness and offered gentle wisdom that has stuck with them over time.