Dr. Geoffrey Ascah, well-known, retired Huntsville physician, passed away on January 2 after a short illness. He was in his 97th year. Active and involved and with a keen interest in life until the very end, Geoff Ascah made a significant contribution to the Huntsville community over the past 63 years.
Born in Farnham, Quebec, Dr. Ascah obtained his medical degree from McGill University in Montreal and then served in the Canadian Army Medical Corp during the Second World War. Following the war, he practised briefly in Moose Factory where he met his wife Mary and later moved to Wainright, Alberta. He and his young family moved to Huntsville in 1954.
Geoff Ascah was a traditional family physician and general practitioner, with an office on Main Street. Patients were often seen without appointments and house calls were part of his regular routine. He was known on occasion to drive a very sick child directly to Toronto in his own vehicle in order to receive urgent medical attention. He delivered babies, performed surgery, worked regularly in the Emergency Department of the hospital and, when required, administered anesthetics. When it came to medicine he was a Jack of all trades and he was highly regarded by his patients and the medical community in Huntsville.
Geoff Ascah had a great sense of theatre and music. He loved to play the piano and the trombone and for decades he was a member of the Muskoka District Band and the Muskoka Dance Band. He was also an accomplished amateur actor and highly in demand over the years. He appeared in a number of plays produced by All Saints’ Anglican Church where he was also an active member of the congregation. As well, Dr. Ascah appeared in a number of Rotary musicals. In one of these, My Fair Lady, he played the leading part of Henry Higgins, a role that many teased him fit his personality to a tee!
A conversation with Geoff Ascah was never boring. He was well read and articulate and there were few subjects on which he did not have an opinion. He had a wry sense of humour and could never be accused of being shy and retiring!
Dr. Geoff Ascah contributed to Huntsville in a myriad of ways and his friendly presence in our community will be sorely missed.
Funeral arrangements: http://muskokafunerals.com/pub/Dr-Geoffrey-Moody-Ascah.html
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My condolences to the Ascah family. He was a wonderful man. I remember him not only as a great Doctor but a friendly neighbor to our family. Thanks for bringing me into this world!! Forever in my heart! ❤?❤
Geoff was a most remarkable person; I had the good fortune of sharing the stage with him in a number of musical productions.He was always willing to encourage and support the less skilled in music.He enjoyed keeping himself informed about individuals and families in the community he served so well.He did not hesitate to stop individuals on the street and share a few words.Personally his departure is a sad loss but many happy memories will be with me forever.Thanks for those memories Geoff.
Simply an honour to have known him. Thanks for this wonderful account of this wonderful man.
A great man from a slightly simpler time. Geoff looked after our family many times and was a constant presence around town. He will be missed,
Thank you Liz. You captured Geoff the doctor, and Geoff the man. A great profile of a great man. Huntsville has been blessed to have people like Geoff settle here.
A good man! Totally devoted to being the best he could be…professionally, in the community, and always trying to make the world a better place. Thanks, Geoff, for being there when we needed you.
I remember Dr. Ascah coming to the house with his black doctor’s bag in hand when one of us kids were sick! He was our family physician until his retirement. A visit to his office was never all business as he always engaged you in conversation and was genuinely interested in you as a person. A man of many talents: he was a musician, singer, actor and painter. A fine man and great doctor. Sincerest sympathies to his family!
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