GP was a man of the community

HAPPY TIMES: Myra and Dr James Gilmour.

WELL KNOWN: Dr Gilmour always wore his trademark safari shirt while doing his rounds.

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The late James Ritchie Gilmour OBE is remembered for his lifelong dedication to the community.

Dr Gilmour, who died on November 12 aged 88, was well known in Henderson where he ran a general practice until his retirement in 1986.

He was born in Lyttelton, trained at Otago University and moved to Waitakere city in 1955, living in Ranui, Te Atatu Peninsula and Henderson.

His eldest daughter Jane says her father was loved by all who knew him.

"He was idolised by his clients," she says.

"He was very patient and really cared for the whole person, not just their physical needs."

Dr Gilmour also helped set up Relationship Services, the Home Birth Association, the Henderson Citizens Advice Bureau, West Auckland Hospice, the Walsh Trust and got the Workers Educational Association up and running in the west.

Younger daughter Barbara Lindsay says her father was a natural teacher who did a lot to inspire his own children and other young doctors.

"He was an initiator and everything he set up thrived," Barbara says.

"He ran internships and training for young GPs and he taught us kids to sail and ski.

"And he inspired us to be creative and independent thinkers."

The hard-working doctor received a silver jubilee medal in 1977 and an OBE in 1988.

He was married to Myra, who died in 2004, for 53 years and the pair had five children and six grandchildren.

- © Fairfax NZ News