Dr. R. Clayton Eysteinn Eyjolfson passed away peacefully on April 29, 2023, with his family by his side at Hogarth Riverview Manor at the age of 79.
Clayton was born in Sudbury, Ont., on June 4, 1943, and grew up in the Icelandic community of Arborg, Man., before moving to Ignace and then Dryden during his teenage years. From a very young age, Clayton wanted to be a doctor so he could "help people." He graduated with a BSc from the University of Manitoba in 1966, followed by his M.D. in 1970. After completing his residency at the Winnipeg General Hospital, he began his medical career in Thunder Bay in July 1970. For over 40 years, Clayton was beloved by the patients in his family practice and a respected doctor in the community as he made house calls, delivered babies, worked shifts in the ER and assisted in the OR. His soft-spoken and kind nature will live on in our memories.
While medicine was his life's work, Clayton enjoyed spending his free time on family trips, camping, fishing, hunting, golfing and curling. He also spent many years helping to coach his son's soccer teams. He will be remembered as a "handyman" who could figure out how to fix just about anything. He appreciated woodworking and loved tinkering with cars.
Clayton instilled his hard work ethic into his children, teaching them to be strong and resilient. He was very proud of them and quick to share how proud he was of their accomplishments as they grew from children to adults.
Clayton was predeceased by his parents Steve and Una, and his brother Garnet. He is survived by his children Garth (Erin, Mikaela), Grant (Jennifer, Atticus, Vander) and Valerie Mertz (Lauren, Elliott, Lydia) and their mother Kathleen. Also survived by his brother Roy (Angela), sisters Lynne Wood (James) and Heather Hobson (Bob) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A sincere thank you to the staff on 1N (especially Jenny) and 2S of Hogarth Riverview Manor for their excellent care of Clayton over the past five years and for their compassion for his family during his finals days.
If friends and family so desire, the family would appreciate donations to the Alzheimer's Society. Online condolences may be expressed at Sargent & Son Funeral Chapel.