Suddenly, at home, basically of old age. His body wore out, but not his joie de vivre. He went to bed looking forward to the last round of the Masters, but didn’t make it through the night. We hope that he has somehow rejoined his beloved Molly, who went before him in 2013.

Bill was the middle child of Henry and Julie Falk of Vancouver, BC. His brother Harry passed too soon, but his sister Mary is still with us. He helped out in his father’s pharmacy as a young man, and trained in radar operations for the Navy toward the end of the war. Although he never got overseas, the service helped him acquire his MD in Edmonton in 1949. As an added bonus, he found a soulmate to share almost 65 years of marriage.

He practiced medicine in Victoria for 25 years, in the days of house calls and midnight callouts to assist with deliveries, many of whom remember him to this day. He was an early proponent of family practice research in Canada, and received the Nuffield Foundation Travelling Fellowship, which took him around the world in 1965. In 1973, he was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners, an award handed to him by Prince Philip himself. In 2010, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Family Medicine Research from the College of Family Physicians of Canada, of which he was the chairman of the research committee from 1970 to 1974.

When he gave up his medical practice, it was to return to school at UBC to earn an M.Sc. in Health Services Planning, which he applied as an associate professor at the University of Calgary for 9 years. When he finally retired, he and Molly built a small house beside a golf course in the Shuswap, where they spent many active years, before relocating to Sidney for the last, gradually less active, 18 years.

Bill lives on in his three children Bruce, Andrea and Graham, and all the lives he has touched over the years.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Saanich Peninsula, Beacon, Mt. Newton and the Jubilee for the care and support provided to both Bill and Molly in their declining years, as they struggled with the inability of their physical systems to keep up with their indomitable spirits. And a special thank you to the team of first responders who tried their best to keep Bill with us a little longer.

A memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Church, 1319 Mills Road in North Saanich, at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 27, followed by a reception at the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to a charity that will make the world a better, kinder place, to make up for the loss of one of the best and kindest people that’s inhabited it so far.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

Sequoia Gardens Memorial
www.sequoiagardens.com

  • Mary Kurt Miller and family

    So sorry to hear about Dr. W. Falk. Big hugs to all of the family, it is always so sad when family passes away. Luv and hugs. Mary Kurt Miller and family

    Mary Kurt Miller and family

  • Kristin Nickells

    My sincere condolences to your family, especially Andrea, Bruce and Graham. I have very fond memories of time our families spent together, particularly on Piers Island at “11th Heaven”. Apart from your dad being our family doctor, it was always special time when our two families got together. I remember well the “rock” in your back yard, and the time Bill and Molly showed up at our door on Cochrane Street with a bottle of wine, as dinner guests, and either Mom & Dad or Bill and Molly had gotten the dates mixed up and guests were not expected!! Nevermind!! They were invited in and shared meatloaf with us!

    It is sad, but inevitable, that we lose our parents. It does not make it any easier. We are all orphans now. My heart goes out to you all. I am so sorry I am not going to be able to travel down island for Bill’s service, but you will be in my heart and mind.

    Kristin

  • Jennifer Underwood (Batey)

    Dear Peter, Andrea (Nan) and Graham
    I wish to express my sincere condolences over the passing of your father. When I was diagnosed with diabetes when I was a child, he visited me at the RJH nearly every day to say hello. He always had a “little something” for me, be it a colouring pencil or comic book. He was a dear man and I treasure my memories of him. I am sure you will miss him greatly.

  • Marlene Felton

    My condolences go to Dr. Falk’s family at this time. May your memories continue to bring you much comfort. He was my doctor from about 1955 til he left and Dr. Peterson took over. What a wonderful man, so caring! He was like a father to me, him and his partner, Dr. Flanagan. I have missed him terribly. He delivered four of my children and I was truly blessed to have him basically at my beckoning call. Yes, house calls , phone calls, counseling , he did it all ! Loved this truly awesome man!
    Marlene Felton. (James, Barclay)

  • Kenneth Borris

    It has been one of the great good things of my life to have known the Falks formerly of Lincoln Road, Victoria–Bill and Molly Falk, and their children Bruce, dear friend of my childhood, Nan, and Grahame. I will remember all of you always with tremendous fondness. Love to you all, Ken

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