On behalf of Dr. Peter Ferguson and Dr. Peter Weiler

Dear Colleagues,

I am saddened to inform you of the passing of a giant in the Toronto Orthopaedic Community, Dr. Ian Harrington. Dr. Harrington spent his entire career at Michael Garron Hospital (Formerly Toronto East General) and served as Division Head of Orthopaedics and Surgeon-in-Chief for many years. He was a true gentleman, a talented surgeon, a respected teacher and mentor, and one of the kindest individuals that you would ever meet. He was a deserving inductee to the Toronto Orthopaedic Hall of Fame in 2019.

Dr. Harrington’s obituary and a tribute from his colleague Dr. Peter Weiler are below:

https://mountpleasantgroup.permavita.com/site/IanJamesHarrington.html

Ian was a very special man, and one to whom I owe a great deal.
Lucia and I offer our heartfelt condolences to the Harrington family on the loss of someone who meant so much to us and to so many others.

I first met Ian in the Fracture Clinic at TEGH on July 1, 1991—my first day as a senior resident, following a demanding six months on the Orthopaedic Service at Sunnybrook. From that very first day, Ian was kind, generous with his time, and genuinely welcoming. That kindness never wavered throughout my six-month rotation. I enjoyed my time at TEGH so much that I returned the following year as a Fellow, largely because of the environment Ian helped create.

Ian, along with Dr. Barrington, played a pivotal role in hiring me as a Staff Orthopaedic Surgeon in July 1992. Nearly 34 years later, I remain deeply proud to have spent my career at what is now MGH—a path that would not have been possible without Ian’s belief in me and his steady guidance.

Ian was a patient teacher, a gifted surgeon, a dedicated researcher, a tireless administrator, a trusted mentor, and, to me, a friend.

In recognition of his remarkable contributions, Dr. Paul Wong and I nominated Ian to the University of Toronto Orthopaedic Hall of Fame. His acceptance, and the fact that he remains the only inductee from TEGH to date, is a testament to the esteem in which he was held by his peers and the lasting impact of his work.

It was truly an honour to have known Ian both professionally and personally. I will always treasure the time we spent together—whether in the operating room or in his office at Wynford Drive or during countless evening phone calls to his home early in my career when I sought his advice or in his later years when he joined me Tuesday mornings in the Fracture Clinic.

His wisdom, wit, generosity, and quiet support shaped my career and will remain with me always.

Peter J Weiler, BASc MASc MD FRCSC PEng
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
University of Toronto, Michael Garron Hospital

Please join me in extended deepest sympathies to Dr. Harrington’s family and colleagues from Michael Garron Hospital.

Peter C. Ferguson MD MSc FRCSC FAOA
Albert and Temmy Latner Chair,
Division of Orthopaedics, Department of Surgery
University of Toronto