Geoffrey Moody Ascah
April 4,1921
Jan 2, 2018, aged 96
Geoff’s family announces his peaceful passing on Jan 2,2018 at the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, after a short illness. Beloved husband of Mary (nee Harper) who predeceased him and survived by his loving children John (Donna Ascah), Catharine, Jane, and Estelle (Dave O’Haire) , and grandchildren Colin and Kate Mackinnon, Rebecca and Victoria Ascah.
Geoff was born and raised in Farnham, Quebec and obtained his Medical Degree from McGill University in Montreal. He is a veteran of World War 2 having joined the Canadian Army Medical Corp in 1939 and served his country for the duration. After further training in Internal Medicine he decided that urban life was not for him and more adventure was required so he headed up to Moose Factory in northern Ontario and started his first practice. There he met Mary and eventually together they settled and started a family in Wainwright, Alberta. In 1954 they made Huntsville, Ontario their permanent home. Geoff was a true old fashioned General Practitioner who did Family Practice, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics, Anesthesiology, and Surgery and he finally retired with grace in his early 70’s. In his latter years he often joked that he had seen so many changes in Medicine that he had become a living dinosaur.
Geoff will be remembered for his many contributions to the community of Huntsville. He was very active in the All Saints Anglican Congregation and attended services faithfully. He was an accomplished pianist and trombonist, playing in the Muskoka District Band and Muskoka Dance Band from their inception in the 1950’s. As he got older, Geoff would joke that he was the mascot for the District Band. He will also be remembered for all that he did for amateur theatre and musicals in Huntsville from the late 1950’s and onwards. He took on many different acting roles, both starring, big and small, in theatre and the first Huntsville Rotary Club Musicals.
Geoff will be remembered for his passion and active participation in the Huntsville tennis, golf and curling communities. He first started curling in Alberta and was a continuous curler for over 60 years. When tennis became a rage in the 1970’s he took it up with enthusiasm. Golfing became his most favorite activity and after retirement he played as much as he could as a faithful member at the Huntsville Downs golf course. He loved the water and having excellent carpentry skills he made many wooden boats, both sail and power. He was always game for fishing trips and spent countless hours on the Tim River in Algonquin Park. He also enjoyed duck hunting on the Naiscoot River north of Parry Sound surrounded by good friends.
Geoff was a renaissance man who made a rich contribution to arts, music, sports, and recreation. He had boundless energy, always a smile, and so many stories to tell. He had no desire to retire in the south or elsewhere as he thought Muskoka was paradise. He lived a long and good life.
Geoff’s family would like to thank all who have taken care of him and helped him in his final days. There are so many of you, and thanks to you all. No flowers and donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Visitation For Dr. Geoffrey Ascah will be held on Sunday, January 7, 2018 from 1-3pm.
Funeral service will be held on Monday, January 8, 2018 at All Saints Anglican Church, 30 High Street, Huntsville at 10:30am. Reception to follow at Sutherland Hall.
Amy Jewiss
Geoff made my experience with the Muskoka Concert Band. His witty remarks and stories always brought a smile and usually a hardy laugh. My sister Beth and I learned an incredible amount from him including and not including music theory and technique. I’ll always remember our final concert together–it remains a very special memory.
Sharon Webster
Just reading of the passing of a wonderful man. Dr. Geoff Ascah was in so many Rotary Productions , and I had the pleasure of working with him many times. I think with great fondness of him playing opposite Garth Thomas as the gangsters in Kiss me Kate. The difference in their heights only added to the hilarity of the number “Brush up your Shakespeare””. A dear friend of mine was sitting in the audience
Claude Doughty
Dr. Ascah was one of the finest members of this community. I worked with him in the hospital in the 1970’s and he gave me great advice in the early years of my dental practice. A true Professional and a wonderful person. It was an honour to know Geoff.
Jo Cryderman
Dr. Ascah was such a wonderful role model to each and everyone who was privileged to know him!He delivered two of my children and was always there for my family in times of need. He was never too busy to answer a plea for help and cared for us all!
He was a true gentleman and I will always remember his marvelous sense of humor!
Bill MacLean
My condolences to the family. Geoff and I enjoyed many good conversations at the 8:30 service and his sense of humour. He will be greatly missed. In the small world category, when he was in Moose Factory he remembered a young lady helping him with a baby delivery – my mother remembered it well as it was her.
Cory Wilson
Geoff and I drove together to and from band practice during his final years playing with the concert band. I remember him telling me he was going to have to leave the Band. He said the internal debate on what note to play was taking so much time that he couldn’t keep up with the rest of the Band. I miss our discussions.
Doug Millikin and Family
An extremely fine obituary for one of the most complex and interesting individuals it has been a privilege to know.Geoff was the product of a different era — those days when you memorized epic poems and stories — those days when “Play up! play up! and play the game!”” was the code. And he did just that. Anything and everything he tackled — his medical career
Diane Watts-Fiorini
Dr. Ascah was my first doctor as he delivered me when I was born, and I missed him in that capacity after he retired. You could always see him when you needed to, and he would just show up at your house to check up on you when you were ill. He always had a smile and time for a few words years later when seeing him downtown. You always knew where you stood with him, as he was very genuine, and my family was fortunate to have him as their doctor. He will be missed.
Susan (Main) Lowe
Dear John, Catherine, Jane and Estelle. What a kind and wonderful human being your Dad was. I am saddened to hear of his passing. He was our friend and family doctor from 1957 when we first moved to Huntsville. He helped us through the passings of our Dad in 1960, our Mom in 1984 and our sister in 2009 and everything in between. I worked in his office as a teenager and, 50 years later, he still referred to me as “young lady”” when I ran into him at the grocery store. He was very special to our family as I know he was to many others. Like you
Gail and Lorne Clark
We are sorry to hear of “Uncleâ€Geoff’s passing, our condolences are with you all. We have so many wonderful memories, thanks to our parents who became friends in 1950 and then shared a lifetime of friendship together. Love Gail Lorne Graham and Darryl.
Richard Lamoureux
What a great guy! Geoff was one of the stalwarts in the Muskoka Concert Band for as long as I’ve known him. Loved to chat with him at rehearsals and performances. He always had something clever and encouraging to say.
Mary Simonett
Geoff was my doctor and my friend. Over the years Geoff & I played a lot of tennis & bridge together. He will be greatly missed.
Mary Simonett
Geoff was my doctor and my friend. Over the years Geoff & I played a lot of tennis & bridge together. He will be greatly missed.
Valerie McCormick
I have to say I think you were blessed with this remarkable person – a diamond of a man!!He was my neighbour for a time, my doctor for a time and always a friend and pleasure to meet – always.
His smiling face is etched in my memory bank and I will miss our cheerful encounters.
Please accept my sincere condolences.
Nancy and Peter Murray
To the Ascah family you will miss his humour , wise counsel , and love. The Murray family have great memories of Geoff and Mary. Thanks for many wonderful times. The Murray boys, Bruce , Hugh and Andrew all arrived safely thanks to Geoff.
Brian Tapley
Sad to hear of Geoff’s passing. I will always remember him as many times he looked after our family and he was always a presence around town. Sorry to hear this.
Karen & Don Geddes
So sorry to hear of your loss John, our condolences to you and your family.
John Oyston
I only had the chance to spend a few days with Geoff Ascah. It was a real pleasure to spend some time with him in the Huntsville home which was such a great reflection of his life, personality and interests. My family and I will miss him.
Diane Harrop
Rest In Peace Geoff. It was a pleasure to know you through music and laughter.Diane
Krista Holmes-Storey
I am so very sad to hear of Geoffrey’s passing. We had so much fun doing shows together all those many years ago up in Huntsville. I was thrilled when he came for a surprise visit right after I started working at the Gravenhurst Opera House and I loved every visits following that. He always poked his head into my office whenever he was there for a show and he was always ready with a hug. He had a wonderful sense of humour. He was a good man. He will be greatly missed. Blessings to his family during this time of sorrow. â¤
John Hughes & Mark Warrack
We were very sorry to hear of Geoff’s passing. We send our condolences to the family.John & Mark
Anne Tapley
I’m so sorry to hear of Dr. Ascah’s passing. He was the one that brought me into this world so long ago. I remember he and my mom chasing me down the hall while trying to give me my booster shots and I also remember his story about how I got my freckles. He said I must have stood beside the screen in the rain as it made me rusty. The way I could get them off was by sandpaper. My deepest condolences to the family.
Carol Harkness-Taylor
CatherineYou and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Your father will be remembered, by many, as an important member of the Huntsville medical community.
Geoff certainly did have a great long life.
Allana Thompson
My condolences to the Ascah family!Geoff was my boss many years ago in his practice and later on he delivered my children Tara & Geoffrey (who was named after him).
Geoff always had a comment, smile or a joke!
He will be greatly missed but leaves lots of memories behind.
Allana Thompson & family
Frank Spencer
Dr. Geoffrey Moody Ascah – You were a doctor and teacher in many venues. I will miss you along with a few hundred people at the Huntsville Curling Club. God Bless you Geoffrey.
Mary Spring
We were sorry to hear that Dr. Ascah had passed away. We will remember him fondly. He was an inspiration to us and a wonderful neighbour on Lake Drive. Rest in peace Geoff.The Spring family9838
Jane Brueton
Dear Ascah familyPlease accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your Dad. I had the great privilege to know him both in a personal and then professional capacity. I am thinking of you at this time.
Jane Brueton
Marshall Leslie
His was a life well lived (as was Mary’s). As a family friend, I approached Dr. Ascah in several different ways: friend of the children, patient (he removed a rotten piece of metal from my leg after a work accident), Rotary musicals (even once as a member of the bass section), politics (not the same), Algonquin Park, architectural design, but never ever with the consummate skill and flair for Heathkit that only Geoff possessed. So I will miss Dr. Ascah very, very much. On behalf of Kate, Dave and Maura, I extend our deepest sympathies to each of you: John, Catherine, Jane and Estelle.
Henk Rietveld
A wonderful man, doctor, and citizen of our community. Geoff Ascah delivered our daughter. His daughter was our doctor till she moved to greener pastures. He should and will be remembered fondly by many. A life well lived! RIP.
Henk Rietveld
A wonderful man, doctor, and citizen of our community. Geoff Ascah delivered our daughter. His daughter was our doctor till she moved to greener pastures. He should and will be remembered fondly by many. A life well lived! RIP.
C. A. Wiltse
My sincere condolences to the Ascah family. Your father and grandpa was a wonderful man and will be missed by so many. Rest peacefully, Geoff. C.A.
Donna-Marie Bowers ( Newell)
To The Ascah FamilyMy sincere condolences to all. Your father was a wonderful man. He holds a special place in my heart as Doctor Geoff. He will be remembered always.
Donna-Marie Bowers
Bob Ascah
To our extended family’s Patriarch, Rest in Peace in the knowledge of a life well lived and a difference made. Love to John, Catharine, Jane and Estelle.
Bob and Jill Ascah
State College, PA USA
Doug & Bonita Austin
So sorry to hear. He has been a very important figure in town for a long time. His stories at the Men’s Breakfasts will be very missed.Our hearts and prayers are with the family.