Dr. Lloyd George Dewar

DEWAR, C.M., O.P.E.I., M.D., (C.M.), D.P.H., LLD., F.RF.P.(C.), LLOYD GEORGE, teacher and physician; b. 20 October 1915 in New Perth, son of John Alexander Dewar* and Laura MacPhee; m. 7 June 1944 Greta Jean Price, and they had two children, Elizabeth Ellen and Brian Lawrence; Church of Christ. Dewar, a Conservative, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1955 for 2nd Prince. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1959, 1962, 1966, and 1970, as well as in a by-election held on 8 November 1976. He was defeated in the general elections of 1974 and 1978. He served as interim Leader of the Opposition. In 1957 Dewar contested the Conservative leadership against Walter Shaw*, and lost by two votes. From 1959 to 1966, Dewar served as Minister of Education. From 1965 to 1966, he was Provincial Secretary. Dewar served as a Commissioner of the Village of O'Leary. Dewar's father served in the Legislative Assembly, as did his uncle, Dr. George Forbes Dewar*. "Doctor George," as he is known, received his primary education at New Perth school. Between 1931 and 1938, he attended Prince of Wales College for four years in between years of teaching school, first in Brudenell from 1933 to 1934 and 1935 to 1936, and later in New Perth from 1938 to 1939. After 1938 he taught school for another year, and, from 1939 to 1943, attended medical school at Dalhousie University. In 1941 Dewar joined the Royal Canadian Medical Corps, achieving the rank of Captain. He was stationed in Vernon, British Columbia, for two years and later transferred to Halifax until his discharge in 1946. Later that year he studied at the University of Toronto and received a Diploma in Public Health. Dewar returned to the Island and practised medicine in Bedeque for a year. On 15 June 1947, he settled in O'Leary and began a medical practice. He has spent more than 50 years practising medicine in the community and continues to do so at the age of 87. Dewar was a president of the Prince Edward Island Medical Society and a founding director and life member of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Dewar has been involved in numerous community activities. He was president of the O'Leary Library Museum association, a director of the Fathers of Confederation Trust, and a director of the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation. Currently Dewar is chair of the Prince Edward Island Potato Museum. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and served as Master. Dewar is a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, St.John's Ambulance, the Maple Leaf Curling Club, and the Mill River Golf Course. He is active in the Lions Club, the Caledonia Club, and the Prince Edward Island Symphony Society. Dewar has written four books: The Brothers Dewar (1976), The Duvar Diary (1979), Life at Leighwood: the Doctor's Home (1982), and Prescription for a Full Life (1993). Dewar has received many awards and much recognition. Following his military service, he was awarded Canadian Army medals for Volunteer Service and for Long Service. In 1967 he was awarded the Canada Medal and in 1976 Dewar was admitted to the Order of St. John Ambulance as a serving brother. He received the Queen's Jubilee Medal in 1978 and in 1984 was awarded a life membership in the Royal Canadian Legion. The following year the Masonic Lodge presented him with the Masonic Merit Award. Dewar was awarded the Order of Canada in 1989. In 1993 Dewar received the Meritorious Achievement Award from the Prince Edward Island Museum. In 1997 he was named to the Prince Edward Island Order of Merit. Dewar also received a literary award for Cancer on Mainstreet and was awarded an honourary doctorate degree from the University of Prince Edward Island. Dewar was honoured by the Prince Edward Island Potato Board for his work in promoting the industry. He was also honoured for his efforts in promoting the preservation of Scottish culture. George Dewar and his wife reside in O'Leary. Greta Dewar, the daughter of Laurence Price and Beatrice Storey of Saint John, was born 23 May 1921.