William "Stuart" Huestis

Retired Halifax Neurosurgeon Dies 

Huestis, William "Stuart" – 89, of Kentville died peacefully in Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville on Monday, May 23, 2022 surrounded by his much loved family. Born in Saint John, NB, he was the only son of the late Ralph and Gertrude (Belding) Huestis. Stu grew up in the small fishing village of Chance Harbour, NB attending a one room schoolhouse. He advanced through his grades quickly and graduated from Saint John High School at age 16. His only desire was to become a Doctor and he enrolled at Dalhousie University. After two years of undergrad studies, he was accepted into Dal Medical School. He obtained his M.D. in 1956 and spent the first year as a G.P. in Fredericton, NB. He then decided his call was to Neurosurgery. He began his training at the MNI in Montreal, but did residency in Toronto and Halifax before receiving his fellowship of Neurosurgery in Canada in 1961 and two years later in the American College of Surgeons. He was awarded the McLaughlin Travelling Fellowship in 1964 and spent time in Neuro Centers in Europe and North America. He then returned to set up his practice in Halifax where he worked for over 30 years. He was Professor and Head of Department of Neurosurgery Dalhousie University from 1974-1982. He was instrumental in setting up the Neuro Pediatric Unit at the IWK. His accolades were many, but that was not what he aspired to. He was there for his patients and his aim to make them better. Apart from being skilled technically, he had a caring bedside manner and was always available to referring family doctors. The Neuro Unit on the 2^nd floor of the V.G. Centennial Building was like a family, all working together as a team! After health issues forced him to retire early, he and Marg moved to the country home in Kentville, where gardening and golf took up his time, as well as travelling to Florida for several months in the winter. But never a day went by without wishing he was back working in the O.R. Stuart is survived  by his wife and best friend of 49 years, Margaret (Ward); children, Gordon (Suzanne), David (Susan) Leigh (Tait Graves); all of Kentville; James, B.C.; and Kelly (Christopher Moss), U.K.; grandchildren, Kristi (Ryan), Matthew (Michaela), Jason, Andrew, Gabriel and Maggie Graves, and Molly and Ruby Moss (UK); and an expected great-grandchild in August; sister, Alfreta (Stuart) Schwartzberg (USA) and children, Bruce, Jordan and Heidi; cousins, Ron (Anne) Huestis, Bedford; and Eric (Bev) Thompson, NB. Predeceased by his parents, daughter Leslie at birth; and former wife, Corine, the mother of his four eldest children. Special thanks to Dr. Robert Gunn, Dr. Ken Rockwood, Senior Homecare by Angels, Diane MacPherson, paramedics, staff of Med B. VRH and Dr. M. Keough. In lieu of flowers, donations in Stuart’s memory would be greatly appreciated by charities close to your heart or to the Valley Regional Hospital Foundation, Valley Hospice or the Alzheimer Society. A private family service will take place. A video webcast of the service will be available on Wednesday, July 20 at 11:00 a.m. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. 

"Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing you have received – only what you have given: a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage." – Saint Francis of Assisi

"Gone, but never forgotten."