Dr. Victor Blanchette died peacefully after a courageous journey with cancer on April 26, 2024.
Victor was the son of the late Sir Stanley and Pearl, Lady Blanchette and was born in Barbados in 1945. Treasured brother of Monica Ward and Richard Blanchette (Margaret). Beloved husband of Yvonne and cherished father to Anne-Marie, Michael-Lisle, Nicholas (Karen), Andrew (Kelly) and Phillip (Ana Maria). Treasured Grandad to Sophia, Lauren, Caitlin, Ava, Morgan, and Louis.
Victor grew up in Flint Hall and first went to Ms. Philip’s School in Strathclyde before going to Harrison’s College. He studied medicine, his life’s passion, at Cambridge University in the UK before training in London, Baltimore and Hamilton, Ontario. After his first staff position in Ottawa, Victor then joined the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto to lead the Hemophilia Program. From 1998 to 2010, Victor was the Chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Sick Kids. After 2010, Victor’s focus and passion was the creation of the SickKids-Caribbean Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Initiative (SCI) which linked Sick Kids and hospitals and health programs throughout the Caribbean to train new generations of Caribbean medical professionals. Victor wanted to give back to the island of his roots and was deeply honoured to be given the Silver Cross of Merit by his island of Barbados in 2017 in recognition of his work. Victor’s career was defined by compassion, collegiality and respect for everyone he collaborated with, and he gained much happiness from the successes of his colleagues, nurses, research teams, fellows and students. He was a cherished mentor, friend and father figure to many.
Victor will also be warmly remembered by a network of family and friends across the world. A large part of Victor’s heart always belonged to Barbados. It was at “home” that Victor met his childhood sweetheart and wife of 52 years, Yvonne Yearwood. They met when Yvonne, who attended Queen’s College, went to Harrison’s College to study science. He proudly brought his sons and their families to Barbados so he could introduce them to extended family, a good ham cutter, flying fish, and the brilliance of a perfect Carlisle Bay sunset. He loved race day at the Garrison, having a good chat on a verandah, playing dominos with his sister and a tasty rum punch. He adored Cattlewash, where his family had a holiday home for many years. While Victor also loved the UK, where he started his medical career, and his new chosen home of Canada (especially the Toronto sports teams), Victor was always a Bajan at heart. ‘You can take the boy out of Barbados, you cannot take Barbados out of the boy”.
The Blanchette family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to Victor’s medical, nursing and support teams at various hospitals in Toronto and Mississauga. They are also deeply grateful to the entire palliative care team and volunteers at Ian Anderson House in Oakville, who made Victor’s final days ones of calm and peace, and allowed his family invaluable moments with him.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations may be made to the Ian Anderson House (ianandersonhouse.com). Messages or condolences can be made at: [email protected]. The family would love to hear from all those who have a warm memory or photo of Victor they would like to share.
