Dr. Ken Walker (W. Gifford-Jones, MD)
Dr. Ken Walker was born in Croydon, England, the son of Walter and Annie Walker. At the age of three, his parents emigrated to Montreal and later moved to Niagara Falls, Ontario. He received premedical training at the University of Toronto and graduated from the Harvard Medical School.
He trained in surgery at the University of Rochester, McGill University and later at the Harvard Medical School. He was also a family doctor, hotel doctor at the Manoir Richelieu Hotel at Murray Bay, Quebec, and ship’s surgeon where on his first Atlantic crossing had to remove the captain of his command due to illness.
For 25 years Dr. Walker practiced as gynecological surgeon in Niagara Falls and then was appointed to the staff at Toronto Western and Toronto General hospitals. He authored 10 books and was a medical journalist for over 50 years, published by dozens of newspapers in Canada and the U.S. under the pseudonym, W. Gifford-Jones M.D.
A strong advocate for women’s rights, medical assistance in dying, and common-sense health, one of his many campaigns was to legalize heroin in Canada to ease the pain of terminal cancer.
He was a founding member of The Lincoln Trust and Savings Company. His foundation provided funds to establish the Gifford-Jones Professorship in Pain Control and Palliative Care at the University of Toronto Medical School.
He often joked that he was refused admission to the University of Toronto Medical School so was forced to attend Harvard where the admission standards were lower, grateful to be accepted at the Harvard Medical School and even more grateful to graduate.
His column stressed over the years the advantages of living a healthy lifestyle. He often wrote about controversial issues, and never as a fence-sitter. As occasionally his columns were rejected by editors, he often expressed the hope that, if there is a Valhalla somewhere, he would own all the newspapers.
Dr. Walker enjoyed 70 years with Susan, his wife and constant companion. He will be missed by Susan, his four children and 12 grandchildren.
R.I.P , Dr Ken Walker .
My Mother was Dr Walkers secretary in Niagara Falls for years .. He certainly was a great man who I will never forget. He was not only a great boss to my Mother but he also took an interest in our family and did things for us that positively impacted our lives for years .. The last time I saw him at a Health Food store in Niagara Falls I took the opportunity to thank him for all he did for us .. His response was that our family was very important to him . He was one in a million for sure … He lived a wonderful long life and we have certainly lost a legend ..
My sincere condolences to all his family . My thoughts and prayers are with you all !!!
As the second son of Dr. Ken Walker, I just wanted to say that I loved reading your tributes above regarding my father and the impact he had on your lives. Thank you all, for your kind words.
John & Diana, So sorry to read about your father’s passing. Just found out this morning. I felt that we had a close relationship and considered him a friend.
I meet many customers that had him as their doctor.
They all say the same thing, how kind and caring he was with a great sense of humour.
Loved reading his column and would even quote him to my doctor at appointments. A wise a wonderful human being. Condolences to your family.
I was honoured to have written about Ken in my book NIagara’s Own Extraordinary Lives. What I remember about him most was how modest he was. He was thrilled when I presented him with a copy of the book. As he turned the pages he was so pleased that other notables from Niagara like Judy LaMarsh and Barbara Frum were also included. He was thrilled that he shared a spot in the book with so many people that had impressed him. I feel privileged to have met him. His ways shone!
I am Ida Lococo’s granddaughter and she, Frances and my dad, Joe, always spoke so highly of Dr. Walker. I met him a few times at Nan’s house when she helped with the Gifford Jones Foundation. I helped Nan stuff envelopes for living wills and Dr. Walker had me on payroll. My first job lol. May he rest in peace.
My mother & I followed ‘Doc Giff’ for years in the paper then receiving his newsletter via email. I was happy to have had the opportunity to meet him once & get my picture taken with him, when he was lecturing & selling a book at one of the health food stores in Niagara Falls.
I am from Fort Erie. My mother and I were both his patients. We loved him. We were so lucky and blessed to have had him in our lives. My sympathies to the family. He did you all proud. What a special human being. Glad he was a part of my life’s journey!