Dr. Roland Skrastins

1954 - 2024 Peacefully, after a prolonged illness, our beloved Roland passed away on May 21st, 2024 at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, surrounded by his family. Roland’s greatest joy in life was his family. He was an amazing and loving husband, best friend and soulmate to Frances, his wife of almost 40 years. Roland was a completely devoted father from the start, soothing colicky infants while watching west coast Blue Jays games in the middle of the night, chaperoning kindergarten field trips, telling the best bedtime stories, chauffeuring last-minute drives to school, logging many steps walking the dog, and playing endless games of one-on-one basketball or hockey. As his children grew up, he was immensely proud of their accomplishments and successes in life. Family vacations, in particular visiting his sister- and brother-in-law and their family in Australia, were treasured memories. The recent arrivals of his grandchildren Georgia in 2021 and Noah in 2023 were especially magical for Roland, who loved them beyond measure. Born to immigrant Latvian parents and raised in the East End of Toronto, Roland spoke Latvian first, eventually learning English “in the gutter,” as he described it. He enjoyed a carefree childhood of bike-riding, ball hockey and cheering on the Maple Leafs. He attended Riverdale Collegiate Institute in Toronto, and obtained his BSc from the University of Toronto. In 1979 Roland completed medical school at Queen’s University in Kingston, followed by post-graduate training in Internal Medicine in Kingston and Respirology in Toronto. Along his life’s journey, Roland acquired many friends, several of whom also became close family friends. Roland joined the medical staff at Toronto East General Hospital (now Michael Garron Hospital) as a General Internist and Respirologist in 1985. Roland was very happy to return to East Toronto to practice medicine, giving back to the community where he was raised. A well-loved and gifted physician, he was known for his kind, caring and gentle nature, able to quickly put his patients at ease. During his 35 years of practice at TEGH/MGH, Roland was a key contributor to the development of a comprehensive in-patient and out-patient Respirology service, including the Progressive Weaning Centre (now the Prolonged-Ventilation Weaning Centre). With his sense of humour and quick wit, Roland never missed an opportunity to provide his colleagues, friends or family with groan-worthy but clever puns and “dad jokes.” Roland will be greatly missed by his wife Dr. Frances Jamieson, and their children Peter (Daniela Agnoletto and their daughter Georgia), Emily (Daniel Cappell and their son Noah) and Olivia (Max Moffat). Predeceased by his father Harold Skrastins, and survived by his mother Rita Skrastins, his sister-in-law Patricia Fabok (Ivor) of Thirroul, Australia, his nieces Michelle and Nicola Fabok, and his faithful canine companion, Hudson. The family is grateful for the wonderful care Roland received throughout his illness. If desired, donations in Roland’s memory may be made to the Michael Garron Hospital Foundation or the Hennick Bridgepoint Foundation.

Dr. Roland Skrastins

May 21, 2024