James M. Donnell, M.D.

James Moffat Donnell, M.D., Gorham, NH Dr. James Moffat Donnell (Jim) died on Friday evening, June 17, 2011, at his home in Gorham, NH, at the age of 79. He was born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of James M. and Ruby Donnell. James is survived by his devoted wife, Jean A. Donnell. Dr. Donnell graduated from McGill University with a BSc. honors in biochemistry at the age of 19 and continued on to attend McGill School of Medicine, graduating in 1955 with a gold medal in pediatrics. Dr. Donnell was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Canada. He completed Resident training in internal medicine, pathology, surgery and research in McGill-affiliated teaching hospitals, in England, and at the University of Edinburgh with Sir Stanley Davidson. Dr. Donnell also was a commissioned Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps, Captain in the Medical Corps and qualified Major in the 1st Medical Battalion Militia, after completing the Canadian Officers Training from 1951-1956. Jim grew up living between the Laurentians and the city of Montreal. He was an avid outdoorsman, and enjoyed skiing, golfing, hiking, hunting and fishing throughout his life. Jim was a valued racer on the McGill ski team in all alpine disciplines as well as Nordic and ski-jumping. He was a member of the Redbirds Ski Club in Canada. It was Jim's passion for outdoor pursuits, combined with the practice of medicine, that lead him to an appointment in New Hampshires White Mountains where he practiced general surgery for forty-three years. In October 1964, Dr. Donnell joined the medical staff at the Hospital St. Louis in Berlin, NH. He worked closely with the nuns to provide patient care at a time when the cost of a hospital bed was $6.50 a night. In addition to his practice, he taught at the Hospital St. Louis School of Nursing. He was responsible for: the first transverse incision for a Caesarean section in northern New Hampshire (less disfiguring than a vertical incision); introducing esophageal and colonic flexible endoscopy; purchasing the first laparoscope for the Hospital; performing the first peritoneal dialysis; and using the first Bateman hip prosthesis. In the 1980s and 1990s, Dr. Donnell often spent two to five-week periods in Iqualuit, Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic as a visiting surgeon, where he flew to Inuit communities to provide medical surgical care. Dr. Donnell was still an Honorary member of the medical staff of the Androscoggin Valley Hospital, in Berlin, at the time of his death. Jim was a master at knowing how to keep things simple, and prioritizing. He was meticulous, yet ever-aware of happenings the world over. He held a deep concern for all creatures and devoted his life to continuous learning. He also enjoyed sharing knowledge with anyone willing to listen. Jims steadfast sense of humor and creative imagination gained him many lifelong friendships. He was a very wise, gentle, caring and kind physician, son, brother, husband, father and friend. He appreciated and fully enjoyed life, with the soul of an artist, the heart of a boy, and the strength and fortitude of a thousand ships. He is much loved, and will be greatly missed. In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his children, daughter Jessica M. Donnell and life partner Tom Rousseau of Acton, ME, daughter Jean Anne Donnell of San Francisco, CA, and daughter Irene M. Donnell of Intervale, NH. Jim is also survived by his sister Irene M. Slater, and husband John; sisters-in-law, Rep. Mary Stuart Gile and husband, Robert W., of Concord, NH, and Katherine I. Clancy of Palo Alto, CA; six nieces and two nephews. Jim was predeceased by his by his brother-in-law, Dr. Thomas P. Clancy of Palo Alto, CA. A gathering of family, colleagues and friends will be held at the Town & Country Motor Inn in Shelburne, NH, on Sunday, June 26, 2011 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jims memory to the charity of your choosing.