Dr R. Charles Bull

R. Charles Bull, M.D., BSc, FRCS(C), FACS, FICS

Orthopedic Surgeon, Sports Medicine, Chief Medical Officer Team Canada Hockey, Canada Cup Games 

Dr. R. Charles Bull, dear husband, kind and gentle father, grandfather and great-grandfather died peacefully with family at his side in his beloved Humber Hospital on Saturday, September 7th, 2024.

 At the age of 15, Charles was in grade XIII after skipping three years and had to repeat a year as U of T would not accept such a brilliant young student at that age. He was a graduate of Weston Collegiate (1952) with the Coulter Scholarship and followed in the footsteps of his father and uncles into Med School at University of Toronto. He loved being home and left reluctantly in 4th year Meds to board and was a Student Intern at St. Michael’s Hospital in his final year. 

 Charles was the team doctor for the Jr Marlboroughs hockey team and worked at the Maple Leafs training camp, going on to Team Canada Hockey Doctor from 1972 to 1991 including the 1972 “Series of the Century” Canada vs USSR.

 He ran a successful medical practice in Sports Medicine and Orthopedic surgery from his Weston office, and with Humber Hospital from 1964 until 2009. He held a clinic at the O&A hospital and started clinics at both York University and the Fitness Institutes. He was also on the medical team for multiple track clubs as well as the World Masters Track Games and Pan-Am Games as the team doctor and sports specialist. 

 A brilliant handsome athlete, Charles was an avid lacrosse and football player, enjoying hockey, water polo and harrier in his youth. Later he was an avid marathon runner completing many marathons around the world and running to and from work. He enjoyed swimming, cycling, skiing and participating in physical activity to the very end of his life. He could often be found working in his vegetable and flower gardens and enjoyed the woods and walks with nature on his trail with the pets he loved and his wife and children and grandchildren into his final years. 

 A loyal friend, competitive athlete, brilliant surgeon and kind gentle man, he will be remembered for his humour, positive attitude and love of life with an optimistic spirit no matter what happened with the boisterous family of six children and busy active life.

 Born November 19,1934 to Mayme and Alan Bull, he is predeceased by his younger brother Jim Bull, stepsister Leone Jones Hall and by his dear son Christopher Charles in 1998 who welcomes him now with open arms to watch over us from above. 

 Dad is survived by his wife Ann Borden Bull, to whom he was married for 66 years. He is also survived by his children, Claire, Kim (Dean Dart), Kathy (Dave Taylor), Shelagh (Bruce Paitich) and Sarah (Jeff Stock), his grandchildren, Jeff, Jaimie, Rob, Mike, Laura, Sarah, Tyler, Keaton, Justin, Jessica, Katrina, Owen, Brady and Becca and 4 great-grandchildren, Liam, Emily, Theo and Allie. The family would like to thank Humber Heights and the wonderful caregivers that provided so much love over the past few years.

 A funeral service will be held in Weston at Ward Funeral Home on Sunday, September 15, 2024, with viewing/visitation at 11 a.m. and funeral at 12 noon with reception to follow at his beloved Weston Golf Club. 

 In lieu of flowers, if you wish to support a charity close to Dad’s heart, please consider the Humber River Hospital where funds will go to the good work continuing to be done at the Fracture Clinic.

 Please visit Charles’s memorial page at www.wardfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence, make a donation or live stream the funeral service.  The family has provided the opportunity to view a Live Stream of the Funeral Service from the comfort of your own home. We are pleased to provide this complimentary service for those watching remotely. Please be aware this is not a professionally edited video and is happening in real time. You may experience network (internet) failures and/or local signal issues. A high-definition recording of the funeral service becomes available after the service is completed. This is typically available within the same day. The recorded service remains on the website for 90 days.

Click Here to View Service

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to support a charity close to Dad’s heart, please consider the Humber Memorial Hospital where funds will go to the good work continuing to be done at the Fracture Clinic. 

Click here to donate to the Humber River Hospital Fracture Clinic