A.J. Cipriani (left) and T.W. Morison, Deep River, Ontario
A.J. Cipriani (left) and T.W. Morison, Deep River, Ontario
A biophysicist, born at Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, on April 2, 1908, André Joseph Cipriani was a pioneer in the fields of cobalt-60 cancer therapy and occupational radiation protection.
Born at Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, on April 2, 1908 Cipriani enrolled at McGill University in 1928, where he graduated in physics, engineering and medicine. After conducting biophysical medical research in the army medical corps, where he studied night blindness and sea sickness and came up with a drug later known as Gravol, he joined Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) as Director of Biology.
At Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories, he collaborated on research into isotopes before selecting cobalt-60 as the most promising treatment for cancer. He took a tough stand on the hazards of radiation and represented Canada on a number of international committees. His cautiousness led to the nickname "Dr. No." He pioneered the production of cobalt-60 for the first cobalt-therapy machines in Canada in 1951.
André Cipriani died on February 23, 1956 in Deep River, Ontario.
- Globe and Mail, February 23 2006
Spurred on by a February 2007 enquiry from the National Institute for Higher Education in Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) of Trinidad and Tobago, I contacted André Cipriani's daughter Julia. She sent me the reference to the following obituaries from Physics in Canada, Volume 12 Number 1, Spring 1956.
Dr A.J. Cipriani They will find another research director of the biology division at the Chalk River atomic energy centre, but let no one under-estimate the loss to Canada in the sudden, tragic death of Dr. Andre J. Cipriani last Thursday. Scientists such as he make infrequent appearances on the human stage. It is not only the loss sustained in terms of applied research; he knew more than anyone else about the effects of radiation on the human body, and he was one of the major architects of the cobalt bomb for the treatment of cancer. The loss is still greater. He had the rare and superb qualities of mind which brought him personal honor and kudos, but this was only the beginning. Those qualities - clarity, lucidity, a profound, restless, ranging and creative imagination - affected all his associates and all who worked with him. This was what set him out above other men. To hear of his death during his most productive years is tragic beyond words. A graduate of McGill in both medicine and science he brought to atomic research training and knowledge seldom so admirably combined. With it also he brought a light-hearted sense of fun, a gay, inexhaustible spirit and a capacity for modest but tireless leadership. It is as if a light went out in Chalk River on Thursday, even though its rays will illuminate the minds and hearts of his colleagues for many a long year to come.
- From An Editorial in the Montreal Star, 25 Feb. 1956
ANDRE JOSEPH CIPRIANI The sudden death of Dr. A. J. Cipriani in the Deep River Hospital on February 23rd, a few hours following a stroke, came as a great shock to his wide circle of friends by whom he will be greatly missed and has removed the leading authority in Canada on the biological and medical aspects of atomic energy at the age of 47. As Director of the Biology Division of the Atomic Energy of Canada Plant at Chalk River since the start of the project, he has become a scientist of international reputation in this field of research and has created a laboratory that is unique in the breadth of fundamental and applied investigations which its staff are performing. He pioneered the development of the Cobalt-60 Therapy units which are used for the treatment of cancer. He was a member of numerous national and international committees. He was Canada's representative on the International Commission on Radiological Protection and was Chairman of that commission's sub-committee on the handling and disposal of radioisotopes. He was the Canadian representative on the United National committee to study the effects of atomic radiation. He assisted in the organization and training of the army radiation detection unit, and by his firm control and administration of the health physics program, no employee at the Chalk River plant has received excessive harmful radiation. He contributed many scientific papers to various international meetings, including the Geneva Conference last August, and also to journals, as well as writing sections for British medical encyclopeadias. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Dr. Cipriani was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1908. He came to McGill University in 1928 with a scholarship and entered the Faculty of Applied Science with the intention of becoming an engineer. However, his excellent ability in mathematics and physics led him to change in his third year to the honour course in mathematics and physics from which he graduated with high first class standing in 1932, receiving his B.Sc. degree. After a year of demonstrating in the physics department, during which period he completed some further engineering courses, he decided to proceed to the study of medicine and entered that Faculty at McGill. He interrupted his course for a year or two to assist Dr. Penfield and his staff with the design and construction of electronic equipment in connection with neurophysiology. He received his M.D. and C.M. degrees in 1940. During the Second World War he served in the Canadian Army as a medical officer doing research on various medical problems, including that of motion sickness. On the conclusion of hostilities he joined the Atomic Energy Project when the construction at Chalk River commenced. Cipriani was a man of striking personality; along with his tremendous ability and sound judgment, there was always a lighter touch, a sense of fun. He worked hard and took his work seriously, but never himself. He was popular among scientists and local country inhabitants alike, well known throughout the Ottawa valley as an enthusiastic fisherman. Immensely fond of children, he took special pleasure in interesting them in natural phenomena, insects of various kinds which he bred at the laboratory, flowers, or geological specimens. Any week-end in the summer, he could be seen in his open Model A Ford car, which he found useful for fishing expeditions, giving his own and other children a ride round the village, managing a huge load with a kindly but firm discipline. A much-loved figure has departed from the Canadian scene, and physicists everywhere extend their deepest symthathy to his widow and four young daughters. |
Deep River hasn't forgotten Dr. André Cipriani; the local legion is named after him (he was the first president) and there is a cul de sac named "Cipriani Court". I spoke with others about André Cipriani, and they still remember him fondly. His daughter Julia sent many news clippings from around the world, written at the time of his death. In addition to the two above, there were articles in The Ottawa Journal, The London Times (UK), The Moncton Daily Times, The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph, Amherst Daily News, Amherst Daily News, The Ottawa Citizen, The Leader Post (Regina), The Ottawa Evening Journal, The Globe and Mail, The Daily News (Prince George), The Vancouver Herald, The St Thomas Times Journal, La Presse (Montréal), L'Evenement Journal (Québec), L'Evengeline (Moncton), La Tribune (Sherbrooke), The Medicine Hat News, and The Halifax Chronicle Herald.
Some of the best articles, however, were those in the February 29, 1956 North Renfrew Digest Shopper (today's North Renfrew Times) of Deep River:
DEEP RIVER'S LOSS IS SHARED AROUND WORLD
Dr. A. J. Cipriani, 47, well-known director of the Biology Division of the Chalk River project of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, died suddenly in the Deep River Hospital last Thursday afternoon after a brief illness. Dr. Cipriani was known throughout the world for his work on radiation hazards and was one of the pioneers in the development of the Cobalt-60 Beam Therapy Units which are used in the treatment of cancer. He was recently appointed Canada's representative on the United Nations committee to study the effects of atomic radiation. Up until his death he was Canada's representative on the International Commission, on Radiological Protection and was chairman of that commission's sub-committee on the handing and disposal of radioactlve isotopes. The funeral service was held on Sunday. February 26, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Deep River. The church was filled to overflowing for the Libera service, with many persons unable to get in and standing outside during the ceremony. The body was met at the door by Rev. J. R. McElligott, parish priest, who also officiated at the service and delivered a sermon during which he spoke of the fine character and the achievements of the late Dr. Cipriani. Following the service the body was brought ot Pembroke where interment took place in the Roman Catholic cemetery. A lengthy cortege of cars came from Deep River to Pembroke to attend the burial. Members of the Canadian Legion from this area formed a guard of honor at the church. Dr. Cipriani was the first president of the Deep River Branch of the Legion and was instrumental in the formation of the branch. Pallbearers were T. W. Morison, R.F. Wright, Dr. E. Renton and J. L. Gray of Deep River, Dr. W.J. Bennett, Ottawa and Col. C. Nelson, of Washington. D.C. Among those attending from distant points were: Dr. C.J. Mackenzie, president of the Atomic Energy Control Board, Dr. W.J. Bennett. president of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., Dr. T.A. Watkinson and R. Errington, all of Ottawa; Dr. B.L. Henderson, Dr. H.G.I. Watson and I.D. Ritchie, all of Montreal; Dr. W. Hurst Brown, and Dr. Gordon Butler of Toronto and Col. Curtis Nelson of Washington, D.C. In attendance also were representatives of Defence Research Board and various government departments as well as countless residents ot the entire district. Dr. Cipriani was born in Trinidad, and came to Canada in 1928 to enter McGill University where he obtained a bachelor of science degree in 1932, specializing in physics and mathematics, and then a medical degree in 1940. During the Second World War he served as a medical officer in the Canadian Army, doing research on various medical problems including motion sickness. He is survived by his wife Alice and four daughters: Janet Helen, 10; Mary Louise, 8; Julia Anne, 6; and Katherine Joan, 4; all of Deep River. Other surviving relatives are: his mother, Helene Cipriani; his brother, Jean; and three sisters: Louise Cipriani, Madeleine Cipriani, and Marie de Pass all of Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Dr. A.J. CiprianiAndre was particularly beloved by the children. My own little girl met me on my way home last Thursday and said very simply, "Daddy, I am not very happy." Then, "He had a lot of little friends". He was deep in their hearts and the little friends will not forget. We who are older were cheered by his never-failing humour, guided by his far seeing common sense and supported in our own troubles and indecisions by his sound advice and loyal comradeship. He was the head of a very happy division, the nature of which was a personal creation of his own and the fellow-workers he left behind can hardly imagine the future without him. It is not for me to write his biography. To me he was a very dear friend and a greatly respected Chief. There are so many who feel as I do, a sense of irreparable loss that I believe it is appropriate that I should express for them to his wife and children the love we had for Andre and the sincere sympathy we have for his family.
C. A. Mawson. |
Additional References on André Cipriani:
[Canadian Nuclear Society home page]
