Surgeon, professor emeritus and private pilot, Dr. Neil McKenzie died March 25, 2024, in London, surrounded by his wife, Maureen and loved ones.
Neil was born in Wetherby, England on June 13, 1944. He studied medicine at the University of Aberdeen and did post-doctoral work in Sweden before emigrating from Scotland to Canada in 1974. Together with other leading physicians, Neil built a world-class team that did pioneering surgeries, including performing the first Canadian heart-lung transplant (1983). He took great pride in his UWO Professor role, in addition to mentoring the team as chief and chairman of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at UWO from 1984 to 1997. Neil retired in 2018 after an extraordinary 44 years at University Hospital. Dr. McKenzie's profound impact on the field of cardiac surgery and his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others will be remembered and cherished by colleagues, patients, and the community alike.
In the hospital setting, Neil's dexterity with surgical instruments was only exceeded by his ability to care for his patients pre- and post-surgery. His bedside manner, which included a healthy dose of self-deprecating humour in his mild Scottish brogue, always made the patient feel at ease.
While Neil travelled the world extensively for work and leisure and the simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to him. A voracious reader, a classical guitar and piano player, he loved an afternoon with friends and family, especially in Port Stanley.
Neil received exceptional care from St. Joseph's Hospice, Parkwood Hospital and University Hospital. We are tremendously grateful for all the efforts that these teams put forward to care for Neil through his end of life.
Neil is survived by his wife, Maureen; his two sons from his former wife, Edward and Anders (Anjanette; children, Liam, Lars, and Annika); Neil's younger sister Sheena (Richard) and older brother, Seaton (deceased).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph's Hospice London or the Neil McKenzie Chair in Cardiac Care at Western University.