William Anthony Paddon
Encyclopedia
William Anthony "Tony" Paddon, OC
(July 10, 1914 – January 5, 1995) was a Canadian
physician and the seventh Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland
from 1981-1986.
Born in Indian Harbour, Labrador
, the son of Dr. Harry Locke Paddon (1881-1939) and Mina Gilchrist, a doctor and a nurse respectively with the International Grenfell Association. He received a Bachelor of Science
in 1936 from Trinity College
in Hartford, Connecticut
. He received his Doctor of Medicine
in 1940 from the New York Medical College
. During World War II
, he served with the Royal Canadian Navy
as a surgeon.
After the war, he returned to Labrador with the International Grenfell Association
, serving as doctor at the North West River hospital. He was the director of the IGA from 1960 until his retirement in 1978. He married Sheila Fortescue, also an IGA nurse.
In 1981, he was the first, and so far only Labradorian to be appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador. He served until 1986.
In 1986, he published his autobiography, Labrador Doctor: My Life with the Grenfell Mission.
In 1977 he received an honorary doctorate from Memorial University. In 1978, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada
and was promoted to Officer in 1988.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(July 10, 1914 – January 5, 1995) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
physician and the seventh Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland
Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador is the viceregal representative in Newfoundland and Labrador of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared equally with the ten other jurisdictions of Canada and resides predominantly...
from 1981-1986.
Born in Indian Harbour, Labrador
Labrador
Labrador is the distinct, northerly region of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It comprises the mainland portion of the province, separated from the island of Newfoundland by the Strait of Belle Isle...
, the son of Dr. Harry Locke Paddon (1881-1939) and Mina Gilchrist, a doctor and a nurse respectively with the International Grenfell Association. He received a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in 1936 from Trinity College
Trinity College (Connecticut)
Trinity College is a private, liberal arts college in Hartford, Connecticut. Founded in 1823, it is the second-oldest college in the state of Connecticut after Yale University. The college enrolls 2,300 students and has been coeducational since 1969. Trinity offers 38 majors and 26 minors, and has...
in Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
. He received his Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
in 1940 from the New York Medical College
New York Medical College
New York Medical College, aka New York Med or NYMC, is a private graduate health sciences university based in Westchester County, New York, a suburb of New York City and a part of the New York Metropolitan Area...
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he served with the Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
as a surgeon.
After the war, he returned to Labrador with the International Grenfell Association
International Grenfell Association
The International Grenfell Association is an organization founded by Sir Wilfred Grenfell to provide health care, education, religious services, and rehabilitation and other social activities to the fisherman and costal communities in northern Newfoundland and the coast of Labrador.The IGA was...
, serving as doctor at the North West River hospital. He was the director of the IGA from 1960 until his retirement in 1978. He married Sheila Fortescue, also an IGA nurse.
In 1981, he was the first, and so far only Labradorian to be appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador. He served until 1986.
In 1986, he published his autobiography, Labrador Doctor: My Life with the Grenfell Mission.
In 1977 he received an honorary doctorate from Memorial University. In 1978, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
and was promoted to Officer in 1988.