Dr John Charles Cronhelm, MB BCh BAO, FRCP(C)
Obituary submitted by friend, John Price
John was born in Belfast and educated at Belfast Royal Academy. He went on to do Medicine at Queen’s, graduating in 1955. In 1957 he immigrated to St John’s, Newfoundland in Canada. He served as a resident in family medicine and surgery at St John’s General Hospital and then went to St Anthony to work for the Grenfell Mission.
He then changed his focus to anaesthesiology. He completed a residency in anaesthesiology over several years, and concluded his training at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal where he obtained his specialist certificate from the Canadian Royal college of Physicians and Surgeons.
It was while working in St Anthony, that John met Wendy, a nurse from England. They married in 1961 and raised four children together. John worked at the Grenfell Mission Hospital in St Anthony for over 35 years, both in anaesthesiology and in developing the critical care unit.
John was one of the pioneers in critical care medicine, both adult and paediatric, in Newfoundland. He was involved in Memorial University teaching medical residents and students and was instrumental in the establishment of acute and chronic pain clinics.
During his latter days in practise he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Memorial University for his services to Newfoundland medicine. He was also made a life member of the Newfoundland and Canadian Medical Associations in recognition of his dedication, compassion and service to the province, the easternmost of Canada.
John will be missed by his wife Wendy, his children Anthony, David, Heather, Susan, and five grandchildren.
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