DR. REA ARTHUR BROWN, MD, FRCS(C)

DR. REA ARTHUR BROWN, MD, FRCS(C) passed away peacefully on January 29, 2026. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Kathy, and will be dearly missed by his children, Beth (David), Drew, Kelly (Marc), and Laurie (Mario). He was also predeceased by his parents, Isabella and Carman Brown, and his brother, George Brown (Jean). Rea will be remembered by his grandchildren, Cameron, Lindsay, Myra, Kyla, Adrian, Maddie, Jordan, and Lily, with fondness and love. He will also be missed by his sister, Ruth Davidson; his brother-in-law and fishing buddy, John Davidson; his sister-in-law, Susan Shaw (Winston); his nephews and nieces; and his many friends, colleagues, surgical residents, and students. Rea grew up on a dairy farm in Cardinal, Ontario, and became the first in his family to attend university. He earned his BSc (1958), MD (1962), and MSc (1964) from McGill University. Rea played on the legendary football team that won the Churchill Cup in 1960 and was drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats upon graduation. He worked at the Montreal General Hospital, where he devoted himself to his residents, students, and patients. He helped bring the Advanced Trauma Life Support program to the hospital and was proud when the MGH was named a Level 1 trauma centre. He was on duty the night of the Ecole Polytechnique shooting and the team saved all six women who came into their care. In 1991, Rea received the prestigious Trauma Achievement Award from the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons. He helped pioneer the surgery to repair 'hockey groin syndrome' and treated many professional hockey players. Rea met his wife, Kathy, in 1963, and they married in 1964, creating a beautiful family and a wonderful life together.