Wilson, George Erskine Duff, 1904-1993

G.E. Duff Wilson MD was the Medical Officer of Health for the Kitchener Department of Health, 1948-1968 and for the Waterloo County Health Unit, 1968-1971. He was born in Acton, Ontario and graduated in medicine from the University of Toronto in 1929. Wilson began practicing medicine in Ayr, Ontario in 1930 and in 1942 he joined the Royal Canadian Medical Corps and served overseas.

In 1946, he acquired a diploma in Public Health from the University of Toronto and took the post of Medical Officer of Health for the Kitchener Department of Health in 1948, reporting to the Kitchener Board of Health. He continued this role until 1968 when the Kitchener Department of Health amalgamated with the Waterloo County Health Unit. Wilson then served as the Medical Officer of Health for the Waterloo County Health Unit until he retired in March 1971.

Through the Ontario Medical Association, he sparked the Canadian Fitness Program. Wilson was local historian for Ayr, President of the Ayr Horticultural Society and promoted tree planting. He was an elder and chorister at Knox United Church and served on North Dumfries Township Council from 1973-1975.

Honours awarded to G.E. Duff Wilson included Ayr Citizen of the Year 1979, the Centennial award, Ontario Volunteer award and Celebration 88 certificate.