Niagara Falls physician remembered as community leader
A longtime family doctor and surgeon is being remembered as a dedicated physician and community leader.
Dr. William Ainslie died Dec. 14 at the age of 87.
Born and raised in Niagara Falls, Ainslie had a general practice for a number of years before focusing on general surgery. He dedicated 50 years to the medical field, working well into his mid-80s.
“He was fascinated with medicine and the working of the human body, especially when the body needed healing,” said his niece, Dr. Alison MacTavish.
“He would think of a wide range of approaches to a medical problem and would do this in his life outside of medicine as well … whether he was building a tree fort in the backyard with his brother for their children or fixing something at the cottage.”
Dr. Robin Williams, former Niagara and acting Ontario chief public officer of health, shared office space with Ainslie when she began her pediatric practice in Niagara Falls. Her husband, Dr. Kevin Foster, also shared the office with Ainslie.
“I am very appreciative of having been supported by Bill in my practice launch in Niagara,” Williams said. “He modelled commitment, compassion, calm and a wise reassurance that time heals.
Ainslie was medical chief of staff at Greater Niagara General Hospital for several years starting in 1999, during the amalgamation of Niagara Health System.
He was an Ontario Medical Association director for six years and served as chairman of the Ontario Medical Association section of surgery.
“There are innumerable people of this community who benefited from his surgical skills,” MacTavish said.
Ainslie was also a strong proponent of volunteerism.
He sat on the hospital board and the library board and was a trustee with the former Niagara South Board of Education trustee for 21 years.
His twin brother Robert was also a doctor. He died in 2014. Younger brother John was a dentist.
“When I travel out of town and tell others I am from Niagara Falls, many people bring up the name of Dr. William and his brothers Dr. Robert and Dr. John Ainslie and have some kind of connection or story about them,” MacTavish said.
“It makes me proud to be his niece and know that he helped these people and that his work had a lasting effect on the community. “
In his spare time, he enjoyed skiing and taught many families to ski. He also enjoyed painting and spending time at his cottage up north.
A funeral service was held Dec. 18 at Drummond Hill Presbyterian Church followed by burial at Lundy’s Lane Cemetery. alangley@postmedia.com