Joseph Oliver grew up north of Sunderland. He attended the University of Toronto where he completed his medical degree in 1894. After graduation he returned to Sunderland where in 1904, he opened his medical clinic at 128 River Street where he also resided and raised his family.
With the outbreak of war in 1914, Dr. Oliver enlisted in the 116th battalion serving as a military medical doctor.
Dr. Oliver provided medical service to the Sunderland community for 50 years retiring in 1954 at age 84. He was one of the last doctors who made house calls year round by buggy or sleigh. Donald Gordon recalls that periodically during inclement weather, Dr. Oliver would conscript his dad’s tow truck and sometimes an oxygen tank to make an emergency house call. Truly, this country doctor was a legend.
Dr. Oliver worked on the committee to establish the new Memorial Arena in 1947 and served a period as the Medical Officer of Health for Brock Township.
In 1936, out of respect and to honour our fallen Canadian soldiers, Dr. Oliver and his family travelled to France for the unveiling of the Vimy Ridge Memorial.
Community Champions
Click on any name to see the page about them. Names are arranges alphabetically by last name.
Elizabeth Allin | James Anderson | William Bagshaw | George Bott | Lorne Brethour | Frank Doble | James Doble | John Doble | Bill Doyle | Ted English | James Glendinning | Jennie Glendinning | Debbie Hadden-Bath | Donald Hadden | Betty Ann Harder | Kenneth Harrison | Graydon Hogg | George Johnson | Enid Martin | Bill McDougall | Stanley Miller | Ferguson Munro | Bessie Oliver | Joseph Oliver | George Parry | Lorne Pinkham | Newton Reed | J Clare Rennie | James Ruddy | Keith Rynard | Mike Sheridan | Philip St. John | James Vrooman | George Welsh