Alvin Roland BACKSTROM

BACKSTROM, Dr. Alvin Roland M.D., F.R.C.S. (C) Otolaryngology, B.Sc (Pharm) June 2, 1928 - November 3, 2009 On November 3, in the arms of his loving wife, Al Backstrom gently slipped his earthly bonds. Al leaves his wife of 52 years, Ann (Kickham); children MaryAnn (Jim MacGregor, children Clare, Davis and Carolann), Brian, Laura (Pierre Cayer, sons Gabriel and Charles) and Carol (David Hrycun, daughters Teddy and Alexa). He also leaves his brother Rune (Joyce, and their children) and sister Eleanor (Jerry Thomson, and their children). Al was predeceased by his oldest brother Melvin at a young age, and by his parents Albert and Milda, both Swedish immigrants. Al was born and raised in Edmonton. He obtained a Pharmacy degree from the University of Alberta in 1950, then studied Medicine at the U of A, while working at the U of A Tuck Shop pharmacy, the Macdonald Hotel pharmacy and others. Al graduated in 1956, interning at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, practiced family medicine for nine years in Trail, B.C., then specialized in otolaryngology at McGill University in Montreal. He returned to Edmonton in 1969 and practiced E.N.T. with Dr. Larry Diduch for nearly 30 years until transitioning from active practice to consulting for the Workers' Compensation Board of Alberta, until 2003. Al worked at the General and Misericordia Hospitals, serving more than 30 years at the Misericordia including terms as Chief of Otolaryngology and Chief of Surgery. Other work and appointments include: E.N.T. Consultant for the Seton Hospital in Jasper, Cross Cancer Institute and the W.C.B., Board of Director member of the Alberta Medical and Canadian Medical Associations, U of A Alumni Faculty Representative for Medicine, President of the Medical Alumni Association, the Academy of Medicine and the Alberta Society of Otolaryngology. Al enjoyed Jasper, Banff, the cabin at Pigeon Lake, his own backyard by Whitemud Ravine, his second home in Victoria and his friends and family. His exceptional intelligence and wit, sense of fun and caring concern for others will be missed. His family would like to thank his friends who kept in touch, and the excellent health professionals who cared for him in the last 16 months, including the caregivers at St Joseph's Auxiliary Hospital and especially the nursing staff at the Grey Nuns Hospital unit 52. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 12th at St. John's Anglican Church, 11111- 57 Avenue. In lieu of flowers, Al's family asks that you make a donation to the charity of your choice. Connelly-McKinley Funeral Homes Downtown Chapel (780) 422-2222 Over 100 Years of Service logo Published in the Edmonton Journal on 11/8/2009