We are deeply saddened to announce that on January 16th, 2023, Dr. Paul Fedoroff passed away peacefully in his home in Ottawa, Ontario, with his loving and devoted wife, Evelynn (Lind) Fedoroff, by his side. Paul is survived by his stepdaughter Brittany Walker (Lanre); brothers Andrey Fedoroff (Andrea McLellan); Michael Fedoroff (Kristi); and sister Marina Fedoroff (Jim Brooks); nephew, Paul Elliott Fedoroff (Willemien); nieces, Katherine Fedoroff, and Lucy Fedoroff; and his treasured auntie, Mary Jean Martin (Auntie Car). Paul was son-in-law to Shirley Bonner and John Lind; brother-in-law to Lyle Bonner, John David Lind and Sandra Hayes.
He will be deeply missed by many dear friends, including his best friend, Deborah Richards. He was predeceased by his wife, Beverley (Hill), (2015) and his parents, Sergey Fedoroff (2012) and Elaine Fedoroff (2014).
Paul was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He exhibited an intense curiosity and thirst for knowledge at a very early age. Encouraged by his parents, he threw himself into numerous activities in which he always excelled. Having Type 1 diabetes never held him back as he pursued judo, diving, tennis, acting, and the list goes on.
You name it, and Paul did it. But his true passion was education. He attended King Edward School, where he forged life-long friendships. In 1980, Paul graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology (advanced) at the University of Saskatchewan. He then went on to pursue medical school at the University of Saskatchewan, followed by a senior clinical fellow in neuropsychiatry and a clinical fellow in advanced psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institution from 1988–1990.
From 1990–2001, he returned to Canada and took a position at the University of Toronto as a clinical fellow in forensic psychiatry at the Clark Institute in Psychiatry (now known as the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health). Since 2001, he was the director of the Sexual Behaviours Clinic in the Royal’s Integrated Forensic Program at the Royal Hospital in Ottawa.
Dr. Fedoroff was a distinguished and valued physician and clinician with a brilliant mind and remarkable work ethic throughout his outstanding career. He was well known for never turning a patient away and had an exceptional interest in working with vulnerable people with intellectual disabilities.
Most recently, he was extremely proud of being awarded a large research grant that allowed him to continue his passionate work toward helping forensic patients around the world. Paul was a full professor of psychiatry at the University of Ottawa with cross-appointments to the faculties of criminology and the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law. He was head of the Division of Forensic Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa. He was also vice chair of the Royal Ottawa Research Ethics Committee. He was the past president of the Canadian Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (CAPL).
He was an appointed member of the Ontario Review Board (ORB). He was the first director of the Forensic Research Unit at the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR) and chair of the Sex Offender Committee of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL), where he was a counsellor.
In 2014 the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons honoured him as “Specialist of the Year” in Ontario and Nunavut. He was a past president of the International Academy of Sex Researchers (IASR). One of his many distinguished achievements was in 2015 when he was granted the Gold Award, the highest honour of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). He has published two books and over 100 papers and chapters. He has been an invited speaker locally, nationally, and internationally.
Paul lived his life to the fullest, whether it was organizing a fun gathering at home with friends and colleagues or travelling on a Seine River cruise through Normandy. He had an infectious smile, and a witty sense of humour and was an extraordinary storyteller. He was extremely well-travelled, never saying no to an opportunity to visit a new city or country. He was in his element dining at Le Cinq in Paris with Evelynn, the love of his life, or happy just simply ordering in KFC on a Friday evening.
Paul had many non-academic interests, including an eclectic taste in music: he attended countless memorable music concerts and his favourite was the blues. His knowledge of the genre was remarkable, and he treasured his time at many blues festivals. He loved a good suit, and everyone will remember his spectacular collection of ties that were, without a doubt, his signature.
He and Evelyn created a beautiful home together, and his library and book collection were an outstanding part of it. Most importantly, Paul will be remembered by his students as a treasured teacher, by his patients for his care and commitment, and by his colleagues for his insights and intelligence. He was an inspiration to all who knew him.
There will be a celebration of life for Paul on June 4th, 2023, at First Unitarian congregation Details to follow.
Donations in Paul’s memory to the Sexual Behaviour Clinic (SBC) at the Royal Hospital in Ottawa would be appreciated.