It’s an honour to rise today and to pay tribute to Dr. Charles Morris Godfrey. I want to acknowledge his son, Mark, who is watching from home, along with other friends and family.

Dr. Charles Godfrey was a renowned physician, a true pioneer and trailblazer in physical medicine and rehabilitation, who practised until he was 102 years old. He had an unwavering love for his community, and it was clear in the way he took such pride in serving the people of Durham West from 1975 to 1977 in this chamber.

In 1953, Dr. Charles Godfrey earned his medical degree from the University of Toronto, which he paid for by working as a janitor and scrapyard worker. He would later teach at this university for more than 20 years.

Dr. Godfrey would go on to serve as the director of Toronto East General’s physical medicine and rehabilitation department, and he worked at Toronto General, Toronto Rehab and Sunnybrook Hospitals before being appointed the head of Wellesley hospital’s rehabilitation clinic.

His achievements were recognized in 1989 when he was appointed to the Order of Canada. His award reads: “Deeply committed to humankind and the elimination of human suffering, and although of retirement age, he continues to be involved in an exhausting round of activity.”

The Order of Canada also took into account his political activism, which focused on the environment. He was an instrumental member of the People or Planes campaign, opposing the construction of the Pickering airport.

In an article published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 1987, Dr. Godfrey stated that “doctors must show leadership within the community.” That heartfelt concern manifested in his role as director of CARE/Medico, which led him, alongside his wife—a nurse, who passed away in 2002—to volunteer as a visiting doctor in more than 20 countries, including Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Few of us reach his age; even fewer of us put every one of their days on this planet to make it a better place.

Today I want to express my deepest respect and admiration for Dr. Charles Morris Godfrey, for a lifetime of contributing to the success of the community he loved, for setting an example for all of us, and for making Ontario a better place. We’re so very fortunate to have had such a passionate and devoted doctor who served in this Legislature.