CORNWALL, Ontario – A well-known city dentist, who loved the water, has passed away.
Stuart Munro, who practised in the city for the better part of 40 years, passed away Thursday at his home. He was 75.
Condolences are pouring in for what family and friends are describing as a person committed to his patients, who also never missed a hockey game or outing involving his children.
“He was just the best dad,” said Chris Munro, his daughter. “He juggled a career but still found time to take us skiing, or skating, or waterskiing.”
Munro, one of the first graduates in the country of a University of Toronto program that allowed him to fully anesthetize patients, became so prolific with his work that even former city residents who lived outside the community would travel back to have work done.
But it was Munro’s commitment to his family and the good times they had that stands out now.
“Stu was kind of a rare bird,” said his brother Craig. “He got us all into waterskiing.”
It could be said that aside from his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs, Munro’s first love after family and career was waterskiing.
A waterski ramp that was once a fixture on the St. Lawrence River adjacent to Farlinger’s Point came about thanks to Munro.
More than 30 years ago a waterskiing competition sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club had finished up and Munro wanted the ramp that was used for the event.
“He found out about this thing and they were wondering what to do with it,” Craig said with a laugh. “He went up to see them and bought it for a dollar.”
Chris said the family now cherishes several great memories of time spent on the water.
“Nothing new, nothing fancy,” she said. “We’d be in the middle of the river with water coming up through the floor.
“But we had a great time.”
Munro is predeceased by his parents Ewen and Helen Munro, and one brother Murray. He is survived by his wife Linda Clairmont, as well as a son, David Munro and another daughter Nancy Munro, as well as a sister Anne MacMillan and extended family.
Munro will be resting at the Munro and Morris Funeral Home in Maxville from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 8. Visitation will also take place Jan. 9 from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. with a funeral to follow immediately after.
