Dr. R. E. Ives.
This story was originally printed in a recent book, Remember When... published by McNulty Printing of Collingwood for the GNEOn November 5, in the year 1605, Guy Fawkes and 10 fellow conspirators made an abortive, gun-powder attempt to blow up the English houses of parliament. This attempt, having been successfully foiled, the date November 5th, know as “Guy Fawkes Day” is still celebrated by the English descendents.
On November 5th, in the year 1889 (exactly 284 years later), Raymond Ellesworth Ives was born in Colborne, Ontario, on the shores of Lake Ontario. He was the eldest of 7 children born to George and Emma Ives. His father was a farmer, a skilled craftsman and carpenter, specializing in building large, hip-roofed barns and fine bird’s-eye maple furniture.
Ray’s first occupation was that of a primary school teacher in a one-room school, where among his pupils were 2 of his younger siblings. He aspired to become a family doctor following in the footsteps of his great grandfather, Dr. Burr Ives, who, in the early 1800’s was a saddle-back doctor treating patients in the towns and villages that dotted the primitive roads between Kingston and Toronto.
In 1914, he enrolled in the faculty of medine at the University of Toronto, but in 1916, in an act of patriotism, he postponed his studies to join the Royal Canadian Artillery. In the Canadian expeditionary force he fought both in France and Holland, and was an integral part of Canada’s triumph in the battle of Vimy Ridge.
In 1918, Raymond returned to complete his studies, graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in 1922, and began practice in Barrie, Ontario under the guidance of a Dr. Lewis. In 1924, he moved to Stayner, Ontario and for the following 50 years, in the town of friendly people, he practiced his medical profession.
In the span of his 50 years of practice, many of his adventures, both successes and failures, have become legendary! All who knew him would agree that sedate, speed-limit driving was not one of his strong points. Lorne Wyant, a Dodge dealer and fellow veteran, and later, Roger Watson, a Chevrolet dealer and fellow photographer, both rubbed their hands gleefully as “Doc Ives rolled another one”!!
His love of flowers and photography energized him. Yearly exhibits of gladioli at the C.N.E. were a must for some years. As president of the Ontario Horticultural Society, he was honoured to plant a tree in Kew Garden, London, to celebrate his presidency. In addition, he was a driving force behind the province proclaiming the trillium to become Ontario’s official flower.
Most remembered and beloved of all his adventures, was his willingness to see his patients (with or without pay) at any time, in his office, or in their homes. Many a story has been told of the stormy, winter trips he made on snow shoes or by horse and cutter to deliver babies, or treat the flu, pneumonias or other infectious diseases. He truly loved his patients and they loved him!
He was, I suspect, secretly proud to have had a daughter who became a nurse, and a son who became a doctor. Over the years, he was even prouder when he could boast that he had two grandsons who also had joined the medical fraternity.
On May 30, in the year 1431, shortly after noon, Joan D’Arc a young French patriot, was burned at the stake as a heretic - an obcene, painful death.
On May 30, in the year 1981, (exactly 550 years later) shortly after noon, Dr. Raymond Ellesworth Ives also died - a serene, peaceful death. He lived life to the fullest - “A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS”!
(This story first appeared in the Fall 2008 issue of our newsletter)