Obituary for David Osoba
With skill, care, and determination, Dr David Osoba dedicated his career as an Oncologist to medical research and improving the lives of cancer patients. His distinguished efforts focused on immunology, cancer clinical trials, and health-related quality of life.
Born on a farm near Glendon, Alberta, parents Harry and Annie had arrived in Canada years earlier, from western Ukraine. Later moving to Edmonton to support his medical studies at the University of Alberta, their home was a centre for lively gatherings of family and friends.
After medical school, while still a senior intern at St Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, Dr Osoba was awarded the BC Surgical Prize for best research paper in 1958.
David moved his young family to London, UK, in the early ‘60s. For his year-long research work with Dr JFAP Miller, on discovering the immunological function of the thymus gland, he was awarded the Medal of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
At Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, he set up an immunology lab. He cared for cancer patients, taught medical students, and lectured at the University of Toronto.
After a marital separation (later divorce), David travelled to Nairobi, Kenya on sabbatical, to help the World Health Organization. His teenaged children travelled with him for a month in Kenya and Tanzania. They stopped often, as he photographed the beautiful birds of East Africa.
Dr Osoba became head of Medical Oncology at Sunnybrook Medical Centre in Toronto in 1978, and then at Toronto-Bayview Regional Cancer Centre (now Odette Centre). In 1981 he married Leslie Bradley, a head nurse at Sunnybrook. David and Leslie moved west, to be closer to family, and as his research had changed to quality of life in cancer patients (related to cancer clinical trials).
In Vancouver, Dr Osoba became professor of medicine at the University at British Columbia, establishing a chemotherapy centre at UBC Hospital. He shifted over fully to the BC Cancer Agency in 1988, as head of the Communities Oncology program. He was also the inaugural chair of the Quality of Life Committee, in the National Cancer Institute, Clinical Trials Group.
He joined the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer. Then became board member of the International Society for Quality Of Life, including as president in 2001. He was awarded their president's prize in 2006, for advancing research and making "outstanding contributions to the Society.” Dr Osoba’s work was shared in many scientific publications. His colleagues spoke of his intelligence. His friends also spoke of his gentle humour.
David’s many interests included the Vancouver Bach Choir, guitar, sailing, and photography. Later, the Probus club, golf at Gleneagles, bridge, Silver Harbour Choir, and following baseball games. Also, supporting the Vancouver Chamber Music Society, and a lifelong reader. Together, David and Leslie travelled to fascinating destinations, including the Himalayas, Galapagos Islands, and Japan. Later, as snowbirds in Arizona.
His family: Loving wife Leslie Bradley. Cherished children Gregory (Elizabeth Macdonald and family) and Daphne, both from previous marriage to Helen (Mysak). Dear brother Eugene (Elaine Kashuba, predeceased), their lovely daughter Lisa (Matthew Kirchner) and family, and dear sister Lesia (predeceased). Also quality time with the Bradley clan, including Brad and Mona (predeceased), Bill (predeceased) (Donna), Heather (Jim McWilliams), and Tom (Lori Lothian).
We will remember him with love and affection, equalling his own love and affection for family and friends.
Please make any donations to the Pacific Parkinson’s Research Institute.
Born on a farm near Glendon, Alberta, parents Harry and Annie had arrived in Canada years earlier, from western Ukraine. Later moving to Edmonton to support his medical studies at the University of Alberta, their home was a centre for lively gatherings of family and friends.
After medical school, while still a senior intern at St Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, Dr Osoba was awarded the BC Surgical Prize for best research paper in 1958.
David moved his young family to London, UK, in the early ‘60s. For his year-long research work with Dr JFAP Miller, on discovering the immunological function of the thymus gland, he was awarded the Medal of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
At Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, he set up an immunology lab. He cared for cancer patients, taught medical students, and lectured at the University of Toronto.
After a marital separation (later divorce), David travelled to Nairobi, Kenya on sabbatical, to help the World Health Organization. His teenaged children travelled with him for a month in Kenya and Tanzania. They stopped often, as he photographed the beautiful birds of East Africa.
Dr Osoba became head of Medical Oncology at Sunnybrook Medical Centre in Toronto in 1978, and then at Toronto-Bayview Regional Cancer Centre (now Odette Centre). In 1981 he married Leslie Bradley, a head nurse at Sunnybrook. David and Leslie moved west, to be closer to family, and as his research had changed to quality of life in cancer patients (related to cancer clinical trials).
In Vancouver, Dr Osoba became professor of medicine at the University at British Columbia, establishing a chemotherapy centre at UBC Hospital. He shifted over fully to the BC Cancer Agency in 1988, as head of the Communities Oncology program. He was also the inaugural chair of the Quality of Life Committee, in the National Cancer Institute, Clinical Trials Group.
He joined the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer. Then became board member of the International Society for Quality Of Life, including as president in 2001. He was awarded their president's prize in 2006, for advancing research and making "outstanding contributions to the Society.” Dr Osoba’s work was shared in many scientific publications. His colleagues spoke of his intelligence. His friends also spoke of his gentle humour.
David’s many interests included the Vancouver Bach Choir, guitar, sailing, and photography. Later, the Probus club, golf at Gleneagles, bridge, Silver Harbour Choir, and following baseball games. Also, supporting the Vancouver Chamber Music Society, and a lifelong reader. Together, David and Leslie travelled to fascinating destinations, including the Himalayas, Galapagos Islands, and Japan. Later, as snowbirds in Arizona.
His family: Loving wife Leslie Bradley. Cherished children Gregory (Elizabeth Macdonald and family) and Daphne, both from previous marriage to Helen (Mysak). Dear brother Eugene (Elaine Kashuba, predeceased), their lovely daughter Lisa (Matthew Kirchner) and family, and dear sister Lesia (predeceased). Also quality time with the Bradley clan, including Brad and Mona (predeceased), Bill (predeceased) (Donna), Heather (Jim McWilliams), and Tom (Lori Lothian).
We will remember him with love and affection, equalling his own love and affection for family and friends.
Please make any donations to the Pacific Parkinson’s Research Institute.