Andrew TALALLA Obituary

TALALLA, Andrew, M.D., F.R.C.S.
Quietly, at peace, Dr. Andrew Talalla, age 75, passed away at the Hamilton General Hospital on Saturday, May 27, 2000. He was in the presence of his loving wife Mary, daughter Andrea and sons Dominic and Piers. He was the son of the late Benjamin and Lily Talalla and brother of Henry Talalla (dec), Jimmy Talalla (dec), Ruth Talalla (dec), William Talalla (dec), Justice Richard Talalla, Dato Albert Talalla, and Malcolm Talalla (dec). He will be greatly missed by his wife, children, son-in-law, Jeff Ellis, daughter-in-law, Dana Talalla, Piers' fiancée Karin Dobbin and grand-children; Jack, Ethan and Lucas as well as extended family, friends and colleagues. Andrew was a respected and accomplished neurosurgeon and scientist. He dedicated his life to the practice and teaching of medicine and made significant contributions through medical research. He was professor in the McMaster Health Sciences, Department of Surgery. Upon retirement, as Professor Emeritus he continued his career in developing educational models for neurosurgery and neurology. He was actively completing a textbook in medical education at the time of his death. While mainly based at McMaster University Medical Centre, he also worked with internationally renowned neurosurgeons, Sir Wylie McKissock, Dr. Robert Pudenz, and Dr. Irving Cooper. His many medical students felt his dedication to life long learning and commitment to the pursuit of excellence in medicine. He touched many minds and many lives. Andrew will be remembered as a man of strong character with a youthful joie de vivre spirit. He taught us a quiet dignity and led by example. He loved life, people, his profession, the pursuit of knowledge, sailing his boat and, most of all, his family who will dearly miss him. A private family service is planned. A memorial will be held in his honour at The Alumni Memorial Hall, Faculty Club, McMaster University, Hamilton at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20, 2000. Donations can be made to McMaster University in the name of Dr. Andrew Talalla. The purpose is to establish a Scholarship Fund, in his name, for medical students.