I am sad to report the passing of Dr. John Robert Taylor on April 20th, 2022. John was an integral member of our Division for many years and instrumental in assisting with Arnis Freiberg’s Resident Aesthetic Program in its early years.
John was born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario and received his medical degree from Queen’s University in 1963. Following his internship at St. Michael’s Hospital, John worked in general practice in Apsley, Ontario and was on staff at Peterborough General Hospital. John travelled to Malaysia where he was Medical Officer in Kuala Lipis and then Team Captain for the Canadian Team, Care-Medico from 1965-67. In 1971, John completed his Fellowship in Plastic Surgery at the University of Toronto and joined Etobicoke General Hospital on July 19, 1973.
John held many leadership positions during his career including President of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons (1996), President of the Canadian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery from 1992-93 as well as a member of the Nucleus Committee of Plastic Surgery at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada from 1992-96. John also held Chairman positions on the Ethics Committee ASPRS, CSPS and SCAPS from 1995-96 as well as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities.
John continued to work at Etobicoke General Hospital but in 1999 slowed down from an active member of the Department of Surgery to doing surgical assisting. During this time, he authored a book The Patient’s Guide to Cosmetic Surgery. John was recognized by receiving several awards including the Queen Elizabeth 25th Anniversary Medal in 1977 and the Canadian Distinction Award in 1988.
In the spring of 1993, John Taylor was instrumental in launching Plastic Surgery, the official journal of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgery, the Canadian Society for Aesthetic (Cosmetic) Surgery, Groupe pour l’Avancement e la Microchirurgie Canada and Canadian Society for Surgery of the Hand and the first journal of its kind for the Canadian plastic surgeons. John wrote editorials for the journal for many years and now in its 4th decade, this journal has grown and developed into a national identity of sorts. John has had a strong interest in the history of the Canadian Society and has written about Fulton Risdon, Hoyle Campbell and Ross Tilley, helping to maintain their place and role in creating the fabric and pedigree of our specialty.
I remember John as a highly intellectual and erudite individual who remained passionate about progressing the profile of the speciality to the highest level. I recall him taking me to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery In Orlando when I was a resident and taking me on a side trip (my one and only) to visit Disney World. He was very thoughtful and wanted me to make sure I had a memorable experience.
John loved his farm, flying and Monty Python. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Pat, children Cathy, David (Cecilia), Peter (Dawn), his grandkids Taylor, Maya, Anna, and Isla. On behalf of the division, I would like to extend my gratitude for his contributions and our condolences and deepest sympathies.
From left to right: Dr. and Mrs. Dale Birdsell, Dr. J. Brian Boyd and Pat and John Taylor at the Annual Graduation Gala Dinner in 2016
Drs. John Taylor and Michael Drever
John and his wife Pat
Chris Forrest presenting John with his Chair’s Medal at the Graduation Gala Dinner in 2016
Christopher R. Forrest, MD, MSc, FRCSC, FACS
Chair, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Chief, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Medical Director, HSC Centre for Craniofacial Care and Research
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine
University of Toronto
