The University of Alberta banner flies at half-mast in remembrance of Brian J. Sproule, Professor Emeritus of the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry.
Brian Jessup Sproule passed away peacefully on April 15, 2017 at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife Marnie, his 2 sisters Dorothy and Margaret, 4 children Tim, Shannon, John (Coralie) and Erin (Dave), and 7 grandchildren, Scott, Erin, Brian, Liam, Sara, Connor, and Jack.
Born on Halloween in Calgary in 1925, he grew up in Edmonton, attended Strathcona High School and graduated from the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine in 1951. He married Marnie MacKay in 1955 and during his Fellowship training in Dallas Texas, they had their 4 children. Upon returning to Alberta he contributed greatly to the medical profession but his focus was love of his family and community service.
Brian was a proud recipient in 2002 of the Order of Canada, recognizing his contributions to pulmonary medicine in Canada, and his ongoing commitment to world peace. He loved to swim, swing a golf club, and hike trails worldwide with Marnie and their longstanding hiking group and children. His most enjoyable treks were in his beloved Western Canada. Good natured, curious, and famously adventurous, he never turned down an offer to participate in any activity, whether live theatre, concerts, festivals, classes, or wherever people came together to learn or celebrate.
A Celebration of his rich and remarkable life will be held at 2 p.m., May 8, 2017 at Connelly & McKinley Funeral Home.
The family would like to express deep thanks to the staff at the University of Alberta Hospital (where Brian had spent so much of his professional life) for their excellent, kind and compassionate care.
Originally published, with photo, in the Edmonton Journal.Edmonton Journal.
