Dr. Terry Langan’s Irish eyes smiled as he helped Winnipeggers see better.

Terry, who died Oct. 21 at age 82, was an ophthalmologist who worked for decades at a clinic on Vaughn Street.

But it wasn’t supposed to be this way.

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Terry was born in Cork, Ireland. The eldest of three children, he was the first generation to go to school and learn all his subjects in the Irish language, or as he would say, Gaeilge.

At school, Terry became an excellent scholar and a very good tennis player on grass tennis courts around the country.

He played for the University College Galway tennis team while completing a general medicine degree at the age of 24. He wasn’t content with just getting a postgraduate medical degree in ophthalmology; he also earned degrees in pediatrics, obstetrics, infectious diseases and psychiatry.

Although Terry was proud of his early education in the country’s language, he was also confronted with one of the country’s most unfortunate traditions: emigration.

Poverty and lack of opportunity in Ireland forced him and 24 of his 30 high school classmates to leave their home country for elsewhere.

Before he left, Terry met Mary, who became his wife of 49 years.

Why did Terry choose Winnipeg? A close friend convinced him to try to find a substitute position there.

As Terry’s obituary states, “The young couple arrived in Winnipeg intending to stay only six months, but never left. They would eventually build a new life in a country where the lakes were bigger than their home country, the weather could be deadly, and the pubs had strange rules about opening on Sundays (they didn’t) or the children’s permission (they didn’t do that either). ).”

The first day Terry opened the doors to his clinic, he had two patients. The next day, only one, but it was better than the third day: zero.

But in the years since, his office has grown, serving not just ordinary Winnipeggers but, because of its location, everyone from ministers to corporate CEOs to street gangsters.

And when the provincial government cut health care spending in the early 1990s, Terry became known for treating people unable to pay for it. As he said at the time, health care “is not about balancing the budget. It’s about helping the patient sitting in front of you.

Once out of the clinic, Terry was a terror on the city’s tennis courts. He joined several clubs and, thanks to his three-generation-old racquets, he and his long-time doubles partner, Dr. Klaus Wrogemann, became finalists in the Canadian senior doubles category, over 45, and Western Canadian champions in the over 55, 60, 65, 70 and 75 age groups. And, alone or with other partners, Terry won numerous championships in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

Terry was also active in politics and even painted his house red to celebrate a Liberal victory.

And while Terry’s profession helped Winnipeggers see better, his family and others also saw a man who cared about his fellow human beings, had a good sense of humor, loved sports and was open-minded .

Terry is survived by his wife, three sons and several grandchildren.

Learn more about Terry.

How they lived

Joanne Jonsson was passionate about horticulture.

Joanne, who died Oct. 19 at age 84, operated a greenhouse on her Victoria Beach property for many years.

She also helped the Victoria Beach Sports Club and Community Center evolve from simpler times and operated the Dockside Deli at Hillside Marina in the family harbor.

Learn more about Joanne.

Clyde Perry said he joined the Navy during World War II to save democracy…and get a warm coat and new boots.

Through his service, Clyde – who died on October 13, just three days before his 100th birthday – was able to receive assistance from the federal government’s Veterans Support Program, which he used to return to school and become a teacher.

Clyde worked in the Winnipeg School Division and his last role there was as the legendary principal of Tec Voc High School.

He was later inducted into the Manitboba Basketball Hall of Fame for his high school basketball coaching.

Learn more about Clyde.

Carolann Bannatyne has spent her entire career in the insurance industry.

Carolann, who was 73 when she died Oct. 14, began working for an agency when she was 18, which prompted her decision to become a licensed insurance professional.

She became a commercial underwriter at Hayhurst Elias Dudeck and became vice president of underwriting within the company. She remained in this position, even after the company was purchased by Western Financial, until her retirement in 2021.

Learn more about Carolann.

Waldemar Nierobisz was 15 years old and had only $5 in his pocket when he arrived in Canada in 1951 with his traumatized mother after the Second World War.

His father was killed in the war and Waldemar, who died on October 23 at the age of 88, became the family’s main breadwinner, working from sunrise to sunset on a farm.

He continued to work hard throughout his life and years later retired as a project officer with the City of Winnipeg Municipal Buildings Department.

At the time, there were many Polish refugees in Winnipeg and he not only attended events organized by them, but he also volunteered with the Polish Fighters’ Association, Branch No. 13, of the Manor Canadian Polish and the annual Warsaw Pavilion during Folklorama.

Learn more about Waldemar.

Greg Halabut died after years of multiple health problems.

But Greg, who was 68 when he died Oct. 21, and his wife made sure Manitobans knew what the health-care system was like following controversial reforms made by the previous provincial government and in the aftermath of the pandemic.

You can read their opinions in This Free press story here.

Learn more about Greg.

The story of a life

Ian Smith’s first science lab was in his parents’ basement on north Main Street when he was a child. It was a hint about his future.

Ian Smith, husband, father and scientist from Winnipeg, died in May at the age of 84. (Provided)

Ian, who was 84 when he died on May 9, ended up studying chemistry at university and, years later, became a research officer in the chemistry division of the National Research Council. In 1992, he was responsible for building the NRC Biodiagnostics Institute in Winnipeg, where he oversaw research and commercialization of non-invasive health diagnostic devices until the facility closed due to cutbacks. funding from the federal government.

“He loved his science, he loved Canada, he loved doing things for Canada,” said his wife Eva.

To learn more about Ian’s life, go here.

Until next time, I hope you continue to write your own life story.