Dr John Anthony (Tony) Tercier, 1953–2025

It brings great sadness to report that Dr Tony Tercier passed away on 4 April 2025. Tony spent more time in hospital than in his home over the last 6 months as his physical illness ramped up. He dealt with constant pain and progressive loss of mobility, to the point where no relief could be found. He chose to take control and died a medically assisted death.

Tony was born on 13 July 1953 in Edmonton, Alberta. He was an excellent student. His mother recognized his intellect at a young age and began taking him to the library to read books together on a wide range of topics. This interest in reading widely and acquiring knowledge continued throughout his life. Over the years, Tony impressed many people with his expansive knowledge base, and he was always humble and modest in doing so.

Tony completed high school at St. Joseph Catholic High School in Edmonton, graduating as the valedictorian of his class, then entered the University of Alberta. He began medical school 2 years later, also at the University of Alberta; in 1977, he graduated from medical school with the highest honors and went on to train at Holy Cross Hospital in Calgary. There, Tony cemented lifelong friendships with Drs Chris Godfrey and David Rhine. These friendships included many medical and mountain adventures, such as practising emergency medicine together in Saudi Arabia and Dubai and the second-ever recorded crossing of the world-famous Haute Route in the European Alps on telemark skis.

After Holy Cross Hospital, Tony’s medical training continued in emergency medicine under the tutelage of Dr Peter Rosen, the godfather of emergency medicine, at Denver General Hospital. Tony became one of Peter’s favorite residents. Tony’s impact as the first Canadian resident paved the way for another group of Canadians to follow and train in this program. Those trainees became pillars of Canadian emergency medicine and owe a lot to Tony, who helped start them on their paths to medical prominence. After a few years, Tony’s enthusiasm for learning led him to the University of Chicago, where he completed a master of arts degree in philosophy. This in turn found him moving to London, England, where he enrolled at Birkbeck, University of London, in a specialized PhD program referred to as the London Consortium, in humanities and cultural studies. He excelled. On completing his PhD, he acted as a lecturer at the University of London, eventually following his teacher and mentor Dr Dorothy Porter to the University of California, San Francisco, where he taught the history of medicine. When grants for teaching disappeared during the economic downturn of 2008, Tony returned to Canada and retrained in emergency medicine. He then joined the emergency medicine group at Kelowna General Hospital.

Tony lived in a West Kelowna community called Traders Cove, with an expansive view of the lake and a huge garden, which he loved and tended tirelessly. His sister Paulette joined him there, and they shared the house and gardening for 12 years. Tony’s health declined over these years, forcing him to retire from emergency medicine and eventually move to a smaller Kelowna property with his dog, Arrow. Arrow became his constant companion, his daily activity, and his life focus.

In the end, Tony’s health issues reached a point of no improvement. He courageously dealt with unremitting pain and progressive loss of feeling and strength, and he rarely complained. He was brave and courageous, and he remained sharp and interested in all about him. Tony’s thesis at the University of London was about death. As an expert on the topic, he courageously took control of his deteriorating physical condition and departed this world while he still had a choice in the matter.

His friends and family will hold him in their memories and miss him dearly.
—David Rhine, MD, FRCPC
Kelowna

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