Biography:

Dr. Robert Jerome Sussex was born in London, Ontario on the 11th of July, 1922.  Dr. Sussex was the only child of John Arthur Sussex and the former Mary Knowlty.  His father was an electrician with the Public Utilities Commission of London.  Dr. Sussex attended St. Martin’s School in London for his primary education and South Collegiate Institute for high school.

Dr. Sussex married Phyllis Eleanor McCormick on the 12th of August, 1944 at the Metropolitan United Church in London.  Mrs. Sussex was born in London, Ontario on the 11th of July, 1923, and the daughter of Andrew “Andy” George McCormick and the former Ethel Mary Nixon.  Her father was a Customs Officer in London and she had 3 siblings; Andy, Hilda and Harold.  Mrs. Sussex graduated from the St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1945.  She was introduced to her husband by her future mother-in-law, when she was caring for Dr. Sussex’s mother at St Joseph’s Hospital in London (Ontario).

Dr. Sussex served with the Army Medical Corp during WWII.  After his discharge from the service, he completed his studies at the University of Western Ontario, graduating M.D. in 1946.  Dr. Sussex interned at St Joseph’s Hospital in London, then he settled into a family medicine practice in Florence (Lambton County), Ontario in 1947.  Dr. Sussex combined his office with his home, which also contained a dispensary.  A large German Shepherd named “Denny” was the family pet and the security system.

Dr. and Mrs. Sussex had 3 children; Frank, Marianne and Robert.

Dr. Sussex was Medical Officer of Health and a District Coroner. He served as a Village Trustee for 5 years.  Dr. Sussex was a Master of Masonic Lodge #390 in 1962.  He was a member of the Canadian Medical Association and the Ontario Medical Association, and he was President of the Kent County Medical Society in 1964.  Mrs. Sussex assisted Dr. Sussex in the office of his medical practice.

Dr. Sussex moved his medical practice and his residence to Chatham, Ontario in 1971.  Dr. and Mrs. Sussex purchased the former home of Dr. William James Reid at 48 Robertson Avenue in Chatham.

Dr. Sussex was a 32nd Degree Mason and a Rotarian.

He retired from the practice of medicine in 1998.

Dr. and Mrs. Sussex enjoyed spending time with their family by the campfire at their cottage in Rondeau.  Dr. Sussex was an avid reader.

Dr. Sussex died in Chatham on November 5th, 1999.  Mrs. Sussex died on the 30th of December 2010.  Dr. and Mrs. Sussex were buried at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Chatham.

*Dr. William James Reid also appears on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.