Obituaries

Dr. John Donovan Brown, late of Regina, SK passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at the age of 90 years.

Donovan was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the middle sibling of older sister Gillian, and younger brother Peter. Donovan’s father decided the family needed a doctor and such would be Donovan’s destiny. He applied himself and qualified with the degrees of M.B., B.Ch., and B.A.O. from Queen’s University of Belfast in 1956.

His life and career took him to three diverse continents. N. Ireland during the ‘troubles’, Kenya with its vast wildlife and scenic landscapes, and finally, the prairies of Canada. He flourished in all three. His curiosity, adventurous spirit and passion for living was evident in his active life filled with music, art, fine cuisine and travel.

He was a founding doctor of Avon Medical Centre in 1965, where he built a thriving family practice with a dedicated group who were more family than staff. He received his Fellowship from the College of Family Physicians of Canada in 2010. Finally, he retired in 2018. He was known for his noon hour runs out of the YMCA around Wascana Park in all weather. He was community minded and involved in B’nai Brith, Ducks Unlimited, Molson marathons, Canada Summer games and every Buffalothon. He had his pilot’s license, loved hunting and fishing, and belonged to the Regina Ski Club. For over 25 years he volunteered as the team doctor for the Thom Trojans. After a brief stint with the Rams, in 1982, he became the team doctor for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, until the end of the 2007 season, where he proudly earned two Grey Cup rings, and made lifelong friends.

He was predeceased by his mother Margurite “Rita” (nee Cochrane), father John “Jack”, his siblings and his son Jonathon Daimien. He is survived by his wife of 40 years Lee Ann; son John Conor (Lisa), their children John Travis, Shelby Barber (Robbie), Madison Ottaviano (Jamie); his daughter Nicola Siobhan Brown, her children Spencer Burridge (Sarah), Shayleen Burridge (Jared). He is also survived by brother-in-law Greg Hebert (Cecile) and sister-in-law Ann Finch, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and his beloved 22 year old parrot Wally.

The family would like to thank Dr. Lourens Blignaut for his compassionate care ensuring Dad’s peaceful exit. His last 11 days on earth were spent at his ‘second home’ the Pasqua (Grey Nun’s) Hospital where he spent over 60 years of his career tending to his patients and delivering babies. Special thanks also to the ICU staff and to Nurse Ashley in Palliative Care.

Flowers gratefully declined. Donations can be made to the Pasqua Hospital Palliative Care Unit in Donovan’s name. As per Donovan's wishes there will be no service. A “Come and Go” Irish wake will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in St. Mary’s Parish Hall, 2020 Winnipeg Street, Regina, SK. To ensure we have adequate space and refreshments for all those wishing to join us in this Celebration of Life, please RSVP your attendance numbers to donovanswake@gmail.com.