LIVERPOOL – Heartbreaking was the word Kelly Young used to describe Dr. Garry Morash’s recent retirement.
Young was one of Dr. Morash’s first patients. He was Young’s family physician in Liverpool for about 35 years.
“He’s the only doctor Jillian ever knew,” said Young about her daughter, Jillian Young.
From her living room, Kelly recounts a story about when she was six months pregnant and had to go to Halifax. She says she had to stay on bed rest at the Grace Maternity Hospital until her daughter was born.
Once the baby was born, the two had to remain in the hospital. Kelly said there wasn’t a week Morash wouldn’t call to see how Jillian was doing.
“Always above and beyond,” Kelly said.
Kelly says what she’ll miss most about Morash is his dedication. She also says she’ll miss picking up the phone and, no matter how long it may take to get an appointment, knowing she’ll be well taken care of.
“He’s a one of a kind, that’s for sure,” said Kelly.
Recognizing Morash
The words “above and beyond” are stated again. But this time it’s another former patient, Darlene Gaskell-Chandler.
Gaskell-Chandler and Donna Conrad, a licensed practical nurse at Queens General Hospital, recently planned an informal retirement party for Morash. The event took place from 2 to 4 p.m. at Queens Place Emera Centre on June 9.
“He’s just such a good doctor, and he’s been here for so long,” said Gaskell-Chandler about what prompted her to contact Conrad to organize the event.
Gaskell-Chandler said Morash deserved to have something to recognize his longtime work in the community. She also said if other patients felt the way she did, they would want to thank him and say goodbye.
Conrad has worked with Morash for more than 36 years.
“It’s the end of an era,” she said.
Conrad said she knew patients would want to have closure, and she also knew Dr. Morash would want closure.
“When I see the respect that goes back and forth between him and his patients, then something needed to be done,” she said.
Conrad guessed about 500 people showed up to say goodbye.
Part of the goodbye included a flash mob. Gaskell-Chandler wrote a song called The End of an Era.
A video of the flash mob shows a smiling Morash listening to many of his former patients sing, “It’s the end of an era for me, for you, and without any inkling of what we will do, we feel like falling apart, but we’re trying to keep it cool. ‘Cause there’s no one else like you, like you. There’s no one else like you.”
Conrad thanked the community for attending and donating. She says people can donate to the Hospital Foundation, and Morash will decide what to buy for the hospital. Cook & Sons Financial Inc. is giving receipts.
Throughout the summer, Gaskell-Chandler will be creating a memory book. She and Conrad said if anyone would like to contribute to the book with a note, it’s not too late.
