Dr John Simpson, MB BCh BAO, 1965 (died 7 November 2017, aged 77)
Extract from obituary in the Ballymena Guardian
Warm tributes have been paid to Dr John Simpson, one of Ballymena’s best known family doctors, after giving more than 50 years dedicated service to caring for thousands of patients in the local community.
Dr Simpson was born in Ahoghill in 1940 into a medical family, his father, Robert, having been a surgeon and county coroner.
Dr Simpson was a competitive young man, excelling academically as well as being an accomplished sportsman. He thrived on the family’s long tradition of farming, embracing country life with the same competitive spirit as his studies and sport.
After attending Queen’s University to read medicine, he embarked on his career as a general practitioner in the 1960s, a career to which he would dedicate 50 years of his life.
He met his first wife, Margaret, while at Queen’s. When she became ill in her early 40s, it was thanks to his sheer determination, strength and loving care that they were able to enjoy another 16 years together.
John met his second wife, Elaine, in 2001, and he remarked how fortunate he was to have found love not just once, but twice.
Horses were one of John’s greatest pleasures, and in particular, hunting. When rheumatoid arthritis forced him to hang up his spurs, he discovered his second country pleasure, shooting.
Son Michael reflected: “The man who meant so much to so many, felt honoured and privileged to be a doctor, husband, father, father-in-law, step-father, grandfather and friend.”
Dr Simpson is survived by his second wife, Elaine, and children, Michael, Carole, and Catherine.
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