Welford Hamilton Russell

Dr. Welford Hamilton Russell died at Toronto Apr. 21, 1975 at the age of 74.

Dr. Russell was born Oct. 30, 1900 at Neepawa, Man. He grew up in India, where his parents were missionaries, and attended Queen's University in Belfast for a year before enrolling at the University of Toronto. Upon graduation in medicine in 1925 he returned to India as a United Church missionary physician. He was in charge of a mission hospital in Ratlan in central India for 15 years prior to the outbreak of the Second World War.

He joined the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps in 1941 and served at No. 18 Canadian General Hospital in England with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

In 1945 he was appointed chief surgeon at the Lockwood Clinic in Toronto. He also acted as surgical consultant to Sunnybrook Hospital. A specialist in general and orthopedic surgery, he was a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the International College of Surgeons.

Following his retirement in 1969 he devoted much of his time to music. He was an accomplished musician and composer, performing as replacement organist at several Toronto churches and composing many songs, some of which are contained in the syllabus of the Ontario Conservatory of Music.

Dr. Russell is survived by his widow Ruth, daughters Margaret and Felicity and son Malcolm.

Source: CMA JOURNAL/SEPTEMBER 6, 1975/VOL. 113, pg 432