Rea passed away peacefully on January 29, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years, Kathy, and will be dearly missed by his children Beth (David), Drew, Kelly (Marc) and Laurie (Mario).

Rea was a proud and loving grandpa to Cameron, Lindsay, Myra, Kyla, Adrian, Maddie, Jordan and Lily - and he will be remembered by them with fondness and love. Rea will also be missed by his sister Ruth Davidson and his brother-in-law and fishing buddy, John Davidson, as well as his sister-in-law Susan Shaw (Winston), his nephews and nieces, and his many friends, colleagues, surgical residents and students. Rea was predeceased by his parents Isabella and Carman Brown, and his brother George Brown (Jean).

Rea grew up on a dairy farm in Cardinal, Ontario and learned the value of hard work from a very young age. He was not always the best student, preferring to go fishing, but he had a schoolteacher that inspired him. Rea became the first in his family to go to university – and he chose McGill University in Montreal. He thrived there, playing on the legendary football team that won the Churchill Cup in 1960. Rea was a fearsome Defensive Tackle and was drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats upon graduation. He loved football, but he chose a different path.

Working hard at his studies, Rea went on to earn three degrees from McGill - his BSc (1958), MD (1962) and MSc (1964). After graduating, Rea pursued a fellowship in surgery at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He returned to the Department of Surgery at the Montreal General Hospital in 1967 and devoted the rest of his career to his residents, students and patients at the MGH.

Rea worked to bring the Advanced Trauma Life Support program to the MGH and was so proud when the MGH was named a Level 1 trauma unit in Quebec. He was on duty the night of the Ecole Polytechnique shooting and he and the MGH team saved all six women who came into their care. In 1991, Rea received the prestigious Trauma Achievement Award from the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons for his work. In his later career, Rea helped to pioneer the surgery to repair “hockey groin syndrome” – treating many professional hockey players.

Back in 1963, when Rea was a resident at the MGH, he met Kathy (a nurse-in-training) and the two of them fell in love. They married in 1964 and created a beautiful family and a wonderful life together. They were soul mates, and they shared a deep love for their children and grandchildren. Rea’s passion was fishing with his family at the cottage - and he always tried to make it fun – baiting hook after hook for his grandkids. He and Kathy were thankful for their life together and all their many blessings. Whether it was cheering on their Montreal Canadiens, Expos and Alouettes, or cheering on their kids and grandkids in all their endeavours, Rea and Kathy always found something to cheer about. They were both incredibly supportive parents and grandparents – always optimistic about the future.

Visitation will be held on February 7, 2026 at 2 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 3 p.m., and a reception at 4 p.m., at Royal York Road United Church at 851 Royal York Rd in Etobicoke. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dr. Rea A. Brown Residents Fund at the Montreal General Hospital Foundation.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Humber River Hospital and Humber Heights Residence for their kindness and care.