“Life is Good,” as our father so often said when he gathered with family. He lived life with such force and humour. It is with great sadness that we announce Dr. Edward Napke's passing in his 100th year. (Jan. 21, 1924-Feb. 12, 2023) He was born in Lebanon to Elizabeth Frame and Nickolas Napke. The family immigrated to Canada when our father was six months of age.
Ed is predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Gunvor (Svanlund); and his two brothers, Emile Napke and Maurice Roufael. He is survived by his sister, Pauline Napke; his three children, Maria (Simon), Adam (Lariza) and Amanda; and his six grandchildren, Alexander and Adrianna, Leonardo and Alexandra Victoria, Lucas and Maia. His life's work centred on pharmacovigilance.
In 1963, he was asked to join the Canada Food and Drug Directorate to help implement new regulation following the thalidomide tragedy. His colour-coded paper-based “pigeon-hole” system allowed for the spotting of adverse effects and disproportionate incidences of harm. His work eventually gave rise to Canada's Poison Control and Drug Adverse Reaction Program. He represented Canada in a feasibility study to help organize the World Health Organization for a drug monitoring program. After retirement from Health Canada in 1990, he continued to be a volunteer honorary consultant to the Uppsala Monitoring Center, WHO Collaborating Centre for International Drug Monitoring. He continued this work well into his 90s. And in 2018, at the UMC's 40th anniversary, the centre honoured him for his work.
Our father was an activist at heart, and throughout his life he was involved in numerous causes. As president of the Non-smokers Association, he was able to get the first city by-law passed in Ottawa that prohibited smoking in some public places.
Family was very important to him and throughout his life, he supported and partook in our lives and later his grandchildren's lives attending whatever sports event or performance was taking place.
Our father also knew how to enjoy life. He had a passion for jazz, jitterbug dancing, theatre and travel. Social gatherings were a must, and he threw a memorable 90th birthday bash for 90 guests at the Canal Ritz.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, to the Canadian Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, Salvation Army, or the World Wildlife Fund would be greatly appreciated.