Stanley Schatz

(B.A., M.D., B.Sc. (med.), FRCSC, F.A.C.S.)
Passed away peacefully on Sunday 6th April 2014 at Juravinski Hospital in Hamilton.
Stanley is survived by his loving family: his wife Ruth Gray Schatz, who shared his life for more than 60 years; their four children and their spouses, Douglas Evan Schatz and Meryl Halls, Deberah and Fred Griffiths, Dr Jennifer Schatz and Dr Vernon Stringer, and Julia Schatz and John Barrack; and by their ten grandchildren, of whom he was unceasingly supportive and proud: Titus Todd Schatz, Kimberley Griffiths, Jonathon Griffiths, Eilidh Schatz, Jillian Stringer, Liam Barrack, Callum Schatz, Alana Stringer, Michael Barrack and Luke Barrack.
Stanley was born on 10th June 1929, the oldest child of Justice Stanley Nelson Schatz and Wilda Hope Finch, brother to Douglas Lloyd Schatz and Barbara Snively. He was educated at Allenby Public School and Jarvis Collegiate in Toronto, and was awarded a scholarship to McMaster University in Hamilton, from where he graduated with a BA degree in 1949. Four years in medicine at the University of Toronto led to his MD degree in 1953, followed by a B.Sc. (Medicine) in 1955. During this time he was also proud to have served in the Royal Canadian Navy (Reserve), retiring as Surgeon/Lieutenant in 1969, and as the President of the legal fraternity Delta Chi at the University of Toronto. Eight years of postgraduate residency training in neurosurgery in Toronto and Europe earned him a Nuffield Foundation Fellowship in London in 1958-59, a McLaughlin Foundation Travelling Fellowship (Europe 1961), and a Fellowship in the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC) in 1961, followed by a Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons in 1967.
Stanley practised neurosurgery at St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto from 1961-1973 and in Hamilton from 1973-94, where he was Professor and Director of Neurosurgery at McMaster, Co-ordinator of the Regional Program in Neurosciences and Head of Neurosurgery for Hamilton Civic Hospitals. His clinical practice and research focussed on the intensive care of head injuries, the surgical treatment of pituitary tumours and pioneering the application of laser technology to neurosurgery. In 1985 Stanley was President of the Canadian Neurological Society and Secretary of the 8th International Congress of the World Federation of Neurological Societies in Toronto. From 1994 to 2000, as Professor Emeritus, he served as a Medical Coordinator in complex care for the Workers’ Compensation Board of Ontario. He remained a member of the Honorary Staff of Hamilton Health Sciences in the Department of Surgery.
Stanley was the embodiment of the synthesis of CP Snow’s two cultures, combining clinical expertise and commitment, with a personal interest and knowledge of the humanities. His integrity, graciousness, and empathy earned him professional respect as well as the loyal love and friendship of all those who knew him.
The immediate family will receive friends at Ward Funeral Home, 109 Reynolds St, Oakville from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm on Thursday 10th April 2014.
A memorial service to celebrate Stanley’s life will be held at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, 1585 Yonge St, Toronto at 1:00 pm on Wednesday 16th April 2014.
A private interment will take place at St Jude’s cemetery, Oakville on Thursday 17th April.
In lieu of flowers, if desired, donations can be made to McMaster University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Neurosurgery, to support the Annual Schatz Lecture. For more information concerning a donation, contact (905)-525-9140 ext 24224 or email giving@mcmaster.ca.