SYMES, James F. M.D. passed away on August 31, 2014 at the Nantucket Cottage Hospital in Nantucket, MA surrounded by his adoring family. After a year-long battle with prostate cancer, we reflect on all the ways he came into our lives. As a husband, father, friend, educator, and doctor, he forever left his mark. James was unselfishly dedicated to his family, friends, colleagues, and patients. He is survived by his devoted wife of almost 33 years, Joanne Symes, and his four loving children, Lindsay Symes, Christie (Symes) Stern, Blair Symes, and Christopher Symes.
James was born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1945. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Alberta in 1969 and earned his Masters of Science in Experimental Surgery from McGill University in 1972. James interned in Ottawa before moving to Montreal to do his cardiac surgical training at Montreal General Hospital, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill Cardiovascular and Thoracic Program, and Royal Victoria Hospital. He joined the staff of the Royal Victoria Hospital as a cardiac surgeon in July 1975, where he later became Chief of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. In 1992, James and his family relocated to Wellesley, MA where they lived for 14 years. During this time, James was the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center of Boston. In 2006, James and Joanne moved to Coral Gables, FL and James became the Chief of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Miami VA Healthcare System.
Besides saving countless lives as a world-class surgeon, James was also an educator, helping to train the next generation of doctors and surgeons. He was Assistant Professor of Surgery and later Program Director of the Vascular Surgical Training Program at McGill University, Professor of Surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine, and Professor of Surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. While at Tufts University, James achieved national renown for his work with the late Dr. Jeffrey Isner on groundbreaking cardiovascular gene therapy. He is also an author and contributor to over 80 published studies on cardiovascular research.
One of the greatest things about James was that anyone who ever spent time with him was profoundly touched by his selfless, gentle, patient, and loving demeanor. He was the epitome of a gentleman. James was a brilliant man, a compassionate husband and father, and a lover of life. Everything he did, he did with love and passion, living everyday to its fullest. He had an amazing laugh and smile that would fill and brighten any room.
Aside from his many personal and professional accomplishments, James had many loves in his life. He was a dedicated New England Patriots fan, never missing a single game, recording each of them start to finish and re-watching every win. He always wanted to be a great golfer and while his performance wasn't quite up to PGA standards, spending hours searching for lost balls with his wife and friends, he loved playing all the same and savored every hole. You could often find him listening to classic jazz, delving into a great suspense novel on the deck, and reading the Boston Globe sports section and Wall Street Journal cover-to-cover. He loved good food, especially his wife's cooking, and great wine, particularly in the company of his family and friends.
Visitation will be held in Wellesley, MA at George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St. (Rt.16), Wellesley, on Friday, September 5, 2014 from 4-8pm. A private service will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellesley with burial to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the Symes family asks that memorial denotations be made to Dr. Alan Pollack's prostate cancer research. To donate, please make checks payable to "SCCC-Radiation Oncology" and include a memo line of "In memory of Dr. James Symes". Checks should be mailed to the Department of Radiation Oncology, Attn: Wendy Hernandez, 1475 NW 12 Avenue, Suite 1500, Miami FL 33136.