Stephen Blizzard

by **Trooper** Sun 14 Jun 2020, 8:29 am

Stephen Blizzard

BLIZZARD, Stephen Vernon Arthur
October 17, 1928 - June 9, 2020

Stephen Vernon Arthur Blizzard will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 65 years, Merle, his children Roberto, Gloria and Carlos (Fabienne), his grandchildren Desirée, Kevin, Bianca, Zev, Tyra and Danté, his sisters Lynette and Norma and a network of cousins and extended family.

Dr. Stephen Blizzard was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad in 1928. He studied at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland and studied medicine at the University of Western Ontario.

Dr. Blizzard developed a unique career that combined his love of medicine and aviation. After obtaining his military wings (meaning he successfully completed training) on the Tutor jet, he undertook additional studies at the Royal College of Physicians of London, becoming a specialist in aviation medicine. He served as a Senior Medical Officer with the Canadian Armed Forces.

Between 1968 and 1976 he and Merle, a trained nurse and midwife, returned to the Caribbean and ran a medical practice in Port of Spain, Trinidad. He researched and wrote studies for British West Indian Airways, and presented the first paper on Aviation Medicine in the Caribbean called Aerial Transportation of Patients. While in Trinidad he served as Chairman and Flying Instructor at the Light Aeroplane Club of Trinidad and Tobago.

Dr. Blizzard served in the Canadian military for over 16 years. One of his proudest moments was contributing in an international humanitarian mission. He was the first doctor on-site on the first airlift of Vietnamese refugees from Kuala Lampur to Canada.

Upon retiring from the military, he worked for the Department of Civil Aviation Medicine, as a member of the Air Transport Licensing Authority and as a Medical Examiner. He went on to help develop standards for Civil Aviation Medical Examiners. He served terms as president of the International Civil Aviation Medical Association and the Canadian Society of Aerospace Medicine and was on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Advisory Group on Aerospace Research and Development. He was a member and selector of the International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine (membership limited to 250 people worldwide).

Dr. Blizzard received the prestigious Harry Jerome award in 2008, honouring his work in the field of Health Sciences. His work has also been recognized in the land of his birth with the Trinidad Icon Award.

He always maintained a deep connection to his Trinidadian roots and history and had a great love of calypso and steel pan. He was also an avid collector of jazz and Cuban music.

Dr. Blizzard was a wonderful husband and father, as well as a Canadian trailblazer. He will be deeply missed by his loving family, friends, and community.
Published on June 13, 2020

https://www.remembering.ca/obituary/stephen-blizzard-1079357392