Look for the Helpers

Kate Kritiansen | Jun 10, 2020

When we enter the darkest valleys amid serious illness, stress, loss, worry, and other struggles, we will always find “the helpers.” Neil and Hazel Hobbs have made being “helpers” their life’s journey. 

Their warm inviting cabin, nestled among the cedars in the village of Sydenham, is home to many. They embrace family, friends, and extended community, including sponsoring overseas families.

Originally from the United Kingdom, Neil and Hazel intersected in Canada, on one of the four corners of the world, Newfoundland and Labrador -- Hazel as a nurse, and Neil as a doctor. 

At 18 years of age, Neil signed up as a VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas, a charitable organization which fights poverty through volunteers) to Borneo, and later decided to study medicine. They individually travelled to Canada to work with a philanthropic organization that provided medical and social services to people in rural communities of northern Newfoundland and Labrador. They met here, in this remote place, during a game of broomball.

Roads between settlements did not exist during much of this time. Often nurses and doctors travelled to patients by boat, and in the winter, by dog team or (in later years) airplane. One of Neil’s favorite stories is collecting Hazel and his newborn daughter, Emmy from the hospital on a snowmobile to usher them home. Drugs and medical supplies were limited in the remote setting. Dr. Hobbs offered care in people’s homes and assisted many births. He says a nurse named Kit McGraw should be credited for encouraging him in this method of care. “She called and requested me to visit a housebound patient with an acute illness. Many of us were just learning about pain management, and making patients comfortable was imperative. I learned to listen. This time in Labrador shaped our lives and the way in which I practice medicine.”

Neil Hobbs trained at Oxford University, and graduated in 1976. Afterwards he completed a residency with Dr. Frank Asbury who became a mentor and support of Neil’s. “I will always be grateful that he took an intense interest in me and empowered me to direct my own life,” says Neil. This early understanding and awareness helped guide their journey.

Once Hazel and Neil were married, they had a short time living in the UK, and then settled back to Canada with their son Rob. 

After many years in Newfoundland, Neil and Hazel settled in Kingston, Ontario where Neil taught family medicine at Queen’s University, and continued a half-time practice of 700 patients. His work saw them travel to Bosnia to train physicians, to the Northwest Territories, and closer to home in Sydenham and Tamworth to support patients, where even after closing his practice— he continued to work as a locum. 

“We think the Grace Centre is a terrific agency, especially for people who live rurally. We are pleased to be associated with the programs,” say Neil and Hazel.  

Dr. Hobbs also facilitates workshops to support patients in managing their own health care. “The health care system can be difficult to understand. Having a master action plan is key.” His workshops teach and provide tools to help you navigate the system and champion the direction of your own health.

During the recent global outbreak of COVID-19, these champions continued their support. Like many others’, their lives were interrupted by the pandemic, meaning a long awaited trip to Cornwall in the UK was cancelled quietly, and they miss hugs from far away grandchildren. These two helpers promptly rose to the occasion by organizing phone catch-ups, spearheading food parcel deliveries, writing a weekly newsletter for St. Paul’s Anglican Church parishioners and generally spreading love and care to their community at large; all this while, (albeit no hugs yet), making do with online science projects and reading via ZOOM with their granddaughters in Toronto. Even a special three-year old’s birthday was celebrated with candles blown across the ether. However, another quiet milestone that should not go unrecognized is the retirement of a life-long career: Dr. Neil Hobbs retired on June, 1, 2020.  

Life-long friend Jim Rhodes says, “As a friend and doctor, Neil is kind. Neil is compassionate. Neil is many things.”

 “I’m beyond blessed. Without Hazel, I couldn’t do what I do.” Neil gushes.

“We’ve no regrets ending up in Canada. While we miss family in the UK, this is home.” 

The Hobbses continue to volunteer at the Grace Centre and at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, and Dr. Hobbs is a Board Member of the Food Policy Council. We have a sense there is much more yet to come.

South Frontenac Mayor Rob Vanderwal says on behalf of our community, “Many thanks for your huge act of service throughout your life’s work. The South Frontenac community as well as many other pockets around the globe have benefited from your commitment to doing the first right thing in front of you. Thank you to both you and Hazel! Wishing you all the best in your retirement.”

Look for the helpers. You will always find them doing good.