Mervyn Pfeffer passed away on September 18th, 2021 at the age of 88. His Will named Owen Sound Regional Hospital Foundation as sole beneficiary. Today, the Foundation received a cheque for $1 million from his Estate.
“It’s a tremendous gift – one that will make a real difference for our clinical teams and patients,” says Gary Sims, President & CEO of Grey Bruce Health Services. The money will help to fund the Hospital’s greatest needs ensuring that local residents continue to access quality care close to home. The Regional Hospital sees more than 100,000 patients each year from across Grey Bruce including many from Hanover and surrounding area.
The annual list of equipment needs for Owen Sound totals on average close to $10 million and includes high priority equipment from across the Hospital. This year it includes new workstations on wheels for nurses, an OR table used for hip and knee surgery, plus systems to track and sterilize surgical instruments – just to name a few.
Mervyn grew up on the family farm in Normanby Township. He moved to Hanover in 1959 where he spent the rest of his life. Friends and family describe him as a man of few words, hard-working and reliable. He worked as a labourer and concrete finisher. He loved to walk.
“Mervyn was raised to live modestly, work hard and share what he had. He was proud to share vegetables with his neighbours. Now everyone in Hanover will benefit from his generous donation to the Regional Hospital said lifelong friend, David Blasing.
Between 1995 and 2015, Mervyn donated to the Foundation regularly. At some point he made a Will and named the Foundation as his beneficiary.
While out for a walk several years ago, Mervyn had a fall and required emergency surgery in London. His follow-up care and recovery took place in Owen Sound. He returned to Hanover to live his final years at Saugeen Villa.
“Only with the help of our community can we keep our hospitals well equipped to meet the needs of patients,” says Foundation Chair Joanne Horton. “Mervyn Pfeffer’s legacy is one of better hospital care for his friends and neighbours! I hope people from Hanover and everyone in Grey and Bruce will celebrate this donation with us.”
The Owen Sound Regional Hospital Foundation receives legacy gifts of all shapes and sizes – most commonly through bequest by Will, RRIF remainder or life insurance. The Foundation’s Caring for Tomorrow Society recognizes those who have planned a future gift in support of the Hospital.
