Dr Eugene Giuseppe Caira, 1918–2016

Dr Caira passed away with his family by his side on 5 September 2016 at Shuswap Lake General Hospital in Salmon Arm in his 98th year. Dr Caira was the cherished father of Loren, Janine, Nadia (Dave), Daren (Jeff), Martene (Mark), Rachel (Tim), and Leean; and dearly loved Nonno (Granddad) of Anders, Kristian, Stefan, Katja, Drew, Caira, and Briar.

Dr Caira studied medicine at the University of St. Andrews for Medicine in Glasgow, Scotland, from 1943 to 1948, and in 1949 he was admitted to the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. In 1956, after completing his master’s of science in experimental surgery at the University of McGill, Montreal, he was accepted into the Royal Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. In 1959 Dr Caira obtained his certification as a general surgeon, and in 1972 he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada. Dr Caira dedicated his life to his profession as a respected general surgeon who was qualified in the United Kingdom, British Guiana (Guyana), and Canada. He was also instrumental in bringing the first nuclear medicine scintillation camera to Canada in 1970.

Eugene will be remembered for his lively personality, sense of humor, and his love for all things alive. He was known as a mean painter and an able golfer by his friends. He was described by a very dear friend as “an astute diagnostician and a skilled general surgeon whose humanity, good nature, and humor has put the practice of art into the practice of surgery to the benefit of his patients.”

Eugene’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to his dear friends and staff at Lakeside Manor, where he spent the last 3 years with the help of We Care Home Health, and for the wonderful care Eugene received from Dr Herman Venter and the exceptional staff at Shuswap Lake General Hospital, Salmon Arm, during his final weeks.

Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of Dr Caira’s life was held at the Prestige Harbourfront Resort in Salmon Arm on 23 September. Charitable donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Shuswap Lake General Hospital. Online condolences may be sent through Dr Caira’s obituary at https://memoryleaf.net/dr--eugene-caira.
—Nadia Caira
100 Mile House