George Erskine Duff Wilson MD

G.E. Duff Wilson was born in Acton, Ontario. He graduated in medicine from the University of Toronto in 1929 and interned at Toronto Western Hospital. He opened his practice in Ayr in 1930, taking post-graduate training in Yonkers, N.Y. He served overseas with the Royal Canadian Medical Corps which he joined in 1942. Lieutenant Colonel Wilson remained active with the Corps after the War.

After taking a diploma in public health at the University of Toronto (1946), Wilson was appointed Medical Officer of Health for Kitchener in 1948. He served as Medical Officer of Health for the County of Waterloo from 1965 to 1971.

Through the Ontario Medical Association, he sparked the Canadian Fitness Program. He was local historian for Ayr, President of the Ayr Horticultural Society and promoted tree planting. He was an elder and chorister at Knox United Church and he served on North Dumfries Township Council from 1973 to 1975.

Honours included Ayr Citizen of the Year 1979, the Centennial Award, Ontario Volunteer Award and Celebration 88 certificate.

Photograph, Kitchener-Waterloo Record Photographic Negative Collection Dana Porter Library, University of Waterloo