Physician and surgeon
Born at Regina, Saskatchewan on 9 September 1917, son of John Edgar McGoey and Katherine Hanlon, he skipped Grades 1, 8, and 11 in his early school years, graduated from the University of Manitoba with a BA (1937). He then ran a survey crew for the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA).
As his survey work wound down, he gave thought to a career in medicine. His BA degree had not provided him with science credits, and at that time, only the University of Michigan and University of Manitoba would allow a student to take first- and second-year pre-med chemistry and physics in one year. He subsequently enrolled at the University of Manitoba, where he excelled and graduated from medicine in 1948. In 1950, he married Ernestine Mary Dohan (1918-1977) at Victoria, British Columbia, and they went on to have two sons.
After practicing medicine at Outlook, Saskatchewan for two years, he enrolled in the ear, nose and throat program at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. He and his family moved back to Winnipeg in 1955 and he commenced his practice of medicine at the Manitoba Clinic and the Winnipeg General Hospital, Children’s Hospital, and Deer Lodge Hospital. Over his career he was the original chief medical officer for the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association and served on the medical staff of the Blue Bombers, for a time as Director, for many years. He attended Bomber games for over 30 years. Along with several of his colleagues, he was an original funder of the indoor hockey arena at River Heights Community Club.
He retired from surgery at the age of 65 and from practice at age 80. Over his many years of practice, he served his patients with devotion, and strove to share his knowledge and experiences with young interns and residents.
He died at Winnipeg on 11 September 2009 and was buried in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Birth registration [John Edgar McJoey], Saskatchewan Vital Statistics.
Obituary [Mary E. McGoey], Winnipeg Free Press, 24 February 1977, page 46.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 14 September 2009.
“John Edgar McGoey,” Canada, Newspapers.com, Marriage Index, 1800’s-current.
This page was prepared by Lois Braun.
Page revised: 9 April 2025
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