Gerald (Jerry) Archibald passed away quietly at home, surrounded by his devoted family, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Jerry will be sorrowfully missed yet remembered with joy by Gale (née LeLacheur), love of his life, best friend and wife of 61 years. As doting father and lifelong hero to daughter Carolyn (David Noyes) and son Geoffrey (Svetlana) and faithful brother to Reginald (Marilyn), he is irreplaceable. Jerry was predeceased by parents Clifford and Josephine (née Field) and elder brother Elwyn (Greta) and is survived by nieces and nephews Janice Gero (John), Wayne (Jenny), Dale (Susan), Karen Morrell (Jamie), Kevin (Margot), Mark (Valerie) and brother-in-law Clayton LeLacheur (Zelma).
Dr. Archibald attended Dalhousie University in Halifax, where he was known as ‘Arch’ by his classmates, to be awarded Doctor Of Medicine & Surgery in 1955. Early in his internship at P.E.I. Hospital in Charlottetown, Jerry met the nursing school’s star pupil and resident beauty, Gale LeLacheur. It was love-at-first-sight and the beginning of a lifelong journey of romance and adventure; sharing close relationships with family and friends, as well as interests in national & local politics, Canadian & Indigenous art and antiques, Oriental carpets, African/Asian/Central American antiquities and investments.
Having been the first medical student at Dalhousie to ever receive essential financial assistance, Dr. Archibald felt strongly about not only ‘giving back’ but of promoting the Humanities in Medicine. After much planning and research, and with the invaluable assistance of Dr. Jock Murray (Dean of Medicine, ret’d), in 2002 the couple endowed the Dr. Gerald and Gale Archibald Gold-Headed Cane Award for excellence in the field of Medical Humanities. After raising and supporting his family and caring for the many grateful patients in a busy medical practice, it is the Gold-Headed Cane Award and the many extraordinary programs that it has funded of which Jerry is most proud. It will continue to be Jerry and Gale’s legacy for many years to come.
The family wishes to thank caregivers Albina, Marilyn and Reichelle, and nurses Linda and Nellie for their tireless efforts and heartfelt compassion in helping Jerry be comfortable in his last days.
Cremation will take place on 9 November and is private. A Celebration Of Life will be held in late January, by invitation.
In lieu of flowers, please feel welcome to make donations in Dr. G.W. Archibald’s name to The Canadian Cancer Society, the Carlo Fidani Regional Cancer Centre at Credit Valley Hospital, or the Dr. Gerald and Gale Archibald Gold-Headed Cane Award c/o The Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University. The family thanks you for your generosity.