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Dr. Jesus F. Dapena

1932-2015

Dr. Jesus F. Dapena

 

Dr. Jesus F. Dapena formerly of North Head, Grand Manan Island passed away peacefully with his sons by his side at the Ivy Meadows Nursing Home, Beaver Bank, NS. He was born the son of the late Jesus and Maria (Frernandez) Da Pena at Monforte de Lemos, Spain. He successfully obtained his doctorate in medicine in Madrid and subsequently moved to North America. His early career as a general surgeon led him to New York City where he was a chief resident in surgery, Buffalo, and Huntington, West Virginia in the United States. In the late 1960s, given the outbreak of the Vietnam War and a shortage of medical professionals, the Canadian government embarked on a campaign to attract young physicians to strengthen our ranks, he answered that call in 1970 by relocating to Fredericton.  While there he worked as a general practitioner at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital, attracted by the lure of rural living and moved once again to the small town life of Black's Harbour. It was during this period, while working at the town medical clinic, that an urgent request was sent by the villages of Grand Manan Island.  The Island was without a doctor and hoped that one from the "mainland" could visit several days per week to provide care to its residents. Skeptical at first, he agreed to share this responsibility with another doctor.  After a brief "probationary" period unknown to him, all of the village councils of the day requested that he serve as the village doctor on a permanent full time basis, a request that he surprised himself by agreeing to. His plan, however, was to remain on the Island for a year or two, before returning to the career he had begun in general surgery.  Meeting his future wife on Grand Manan Island compelled him to reconsider and stay. Over the course of the next thirty-eight years, he married Sharon (1972); had two sons, Jared (1973) and later, Desmond (1984); and faithfully served the people of Grand Manan as their full-time physician. While this in itself is not remarkable, his devotion and commitment to the Island is. Dr. Dapena served the vast majority of those years as Grand Manan's only doctor. Taking vacations or even days off to travel to the "mainland" were virtually impossible unless arranged well in advance. Emergency calls to the hospital in the wee hours of the night were more common than not. The demands that were placed on him over this tenure largely exceded what we expect from our modern day health professionals.  Through many sacrifices made for his career he managed to make the most of his personal time and provided a lifetime of love and memories for his family.  Following the declining health of his wife he treated the situation with the same dedication he treated his work, and provided her with the special care she needed.  Following the Christmas of 2008 the demands of his work and the trauma of his wife’s illness brought him to a decision to retire.  He returned to Spain for the next several years to winter with his beloved sisters, and summered back home on Grand Manan to be close with his wife.  Following his declining health in 2013 he moved to Halifax to spend his final years with his sons.  His enthusiasm for cars, movies and football, both American and Spanish kind never faded and he enjoyed seeing his beloved Spain on the world stage.  He missed his friends at Saint Michael’s parish, but faithfully attended Mass as long as his health permitted.   He is survived by his wife Mrs. Sharon R. Dapena (Agrusti) of Grand Manan.  His two sons; Desmond and Jared Dapena (Chelsea) both of Halifax, NS.  Three sisters; Avelina , Ana Maria, and Asension all of Madrid, Spain.  Also his extended family on Sharon's side from the Island.  Besides his parents he was predeceased by two sisters; Dolores and Montserrat.

 

Visiting will take place at the Community Life Church, Grand Harbour on Monday from

 

6 - 9 pm.  The funeral Mass will take place from the church on Tuesday March 17, 2015 at 1:00 pm with Father Suplido officiating.  The interment will follow in the spring at the Maple Grove Cemetery.  Donations in memory of Dr. Dapena may be made to The Grand Manan Hospital Foundation or The Grand Manan Nursing Home Foundation.  Funeral arrangements are in the care of Ells Funeral Home Inc., 1199 Route 776, Grand Manan, NB E5G 1G2. Condolences, messages of sympathy also may be sent to www.ells.ca or (506)662-3116.          

 

 

 

Service Date
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Service Time
1:00 PM
Service Location
Funeral Mass at Community Life Church

Visitation
Monday March 16, 2015
Visitation Time
6-9 PM
Visitation Location
Community Life Church

Burial Location
Maple Grove Cemetery

Requested Charity
Grand Manan Hospital Foundation or Grand Manan Nursing Home Foundation