Obituary of Dr. Borden Bachynski

Dr. Borden Bachynski, M.D., M.Sc.(Ortho), F.R.C.S.(C), F.A.C.S. November 11, 1924 July 7, 2010 Dr. Borden Bachynski, of Regina, Saskatchewan, passed away on Wednesday, July 7, 2010, at the age of 85 years surrounded by his family. He is predeceased by his parents, Nykyta and Teofila (Mazaj) Bachynski, and his younger brother, Jaroslaw. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Margaret (nee Darby). He is also survived by his four children, eleven grandchildren, one great grandson, his two sisters and numerous nieces and nephews: Alan (Delphine) of Regina and their two children, Margot (Noli Naranjilla) and their son Ryder of Edmonton, and Shawn of Vancouver; Colin (Carol) and their five children, Darby Jane (Michael Godfrey), Nicolas, Quinlan, Spencer and Avery all of Regina; David (Merle) and their four children, Chad (Shalan Mills), Steven, Nicole and Brandon all of Regina; Jane Bachynski (Bruce Carr-Harris) of Ottawa; Stephanie Kostusyk (Joseph) of Warren, Michigan and Lillian Weigel (Arthur) of Avon, Connecticut. He was also like a second dad to Lisa Wolfe (nee Bell) of Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr. Bachynski was born in Port Arthur, Ontario. He received his medical degree from the University of Toronto in 1947 after which he completed his internship and surgical residency at the Regina General Hospital. It was in Regina where he met the love of his life and wife to be, Margaret Darby, who was in nursing residency at the same hospital. They were married in Regina on December 22, 1950 and immediately moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he received his Masters of Science in Orthopaedic Surgery from the Campbell Clinic (University of Tennessee) in 1953. In 1954, he became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the first Saskatchewan doctor to be awarded a Canadian Fellowship in the Royal College of Surgeons in orthopaedics. He was subsequently elected a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and made a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Bachynski returned to Regina in 1954 where he and his wife raised their four children. He practiced medicine for 56 years up until his passing. He was Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Regina General Hospital (1960-1967); Chief of Orthopaedics at Wascana Rehabilitation Hospital (19601985); Member of the Board of Governors of the Regina General Hospital (19741979); Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan (19601977); Associate Professor of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan (19772010); President of the Saskatchewan Orthopaedic Association (19861988); Teaching Head of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Plains Health Centre (19881993); Member of the Board of Governors, Regina Health District (elected 1995, re-elected 1999); Senior Life Member of the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Saskatchewan (1999), Member of its Council (1999-2004) and its representative Member on the Senate of the University of Regina (2005-2010). During the 1960s, Dr. Bachynski discovered a method of treating growth deficiencies in childrens legs by the use of ivory pins from narwhale and walrus tusks which he, with the assistance of an aboriginal carver and the N.W.T. government, located, manufactured and supplied throughout Canada and the U.S. He also invented a specialized crutch and patented a state-of-the-art artificial knee joint originally known as the Bachynski? or Plains Knee?. Prior to universal health care in Canada, Dr. Bachynski provided his orthopaedic services for free to all children. During his time in Saskatchewan, Dr. Bachynski became a respected resident on both a professional and personal level and served his community and country through his unselfish and dedicated participation in numerous organizations and humanitarian causes. Between 1954 and 2010, he served the Red Cross in various capacities: Consultant and Surgeon (1954); Board Member (1959-1964) serving as President (19621964) and Honorary Vice-President (19642010). From 1967 to the present, he was a volunteer with St. John Ambulance serving that organization in various capacities: Provincial President (19881991); Chief Provincial Medical Officer (20002006) and Honorary Life Member of Priory Chapter of Canada. In 1996, under the sanction of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Sovereign Head of the Order, he was knighted into the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. Between 1959 and 1970, he served as a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of Saskatchewan: Provincial President (19691970) and Chairman of Saskatchewans Centennial Jamboree (1967). From 1947 to the present, he was an avid Saskatchewan Roughrider Fan and season ticket holder and served as the teams physician from 1954 to 1965. He also acted as a Medical Arbitrator for the CFL from 1977 to 2007. In 1996, Dr. Bachynski was recognized by BNai Brith Canada as Citizen of the Year in appreciation of his contributions to and leadership roles in charitable organizations. Since 1966, Dr. Bachynski has been a distinguished Mason: Past Master of Wascana Lodge #2; 32nd Degree Mason and Officer of the Scottish Rite and a Member of the York Rite. From 1971 to the present, Dr. Bachynski pursued his interest in the care and treatment of sick children through his involvement in the Shrine and his support of the Shriners Hospitals. He joined the Wa Wa Shrine Temple in 1971, has been a member of its Directors Staff since 1972, was its President in 1977 and was a member of Divan from 1978 to 1986 serving as Potentate in 1987. From 2000 to 2006, he acted as Hospital Consultant for the Wa Wa Temple and for the Shriners Hospitals of North America. Dr. Bachynski had a distinguished military career: C.O.T.C. (19431944); Lieutenant, Regina Rifle Regiment (19491953); Captain, Regina Rifles (19541963); Major, 19th Medical Company (19641967); Lieutenant Colonel (19681980), Honorary Lieutenant Colonel (19811988), Honorary Colonel (19891991), 16th Medical Company and Chairman, Honorary Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels Assoc. of Canada (19912003). He received several honours and decorations: Queen Elizabeths Medal C.D. and Bar (1977); Canada 125 Year Medal (1994); Queens Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) and the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal (2006). He had also recently served on the Board and as President of the Royal United Services Institute/Regina Officers Mess. Dr. Bachynskis Funeral will be held at St. Pauls, Cathedral, 1861 McIntyre Street, Regina, Saskatchewan on Monday, July 12, 2010 at 3:00 pm. Private family interment to be held at a later date. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations may be made to the Wa Wa Shrine Patient Transportation Fund, 2065 Hamilton Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 2E1 or to a charity of ones choice. The family would like to thank Dr. J.W. Carter, Dr. W.F. Lewis and the Bell/Maltman/Carpendale families for their care and support. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.speersfuneralchapel.com