Dr. Gordon Bond Cross
Dr. G. B. Cross - medical pioneer
The namesake of the regional hospital, Dr. George Bond Cross, was a medical pioneer in Clarenville and surrounding area for decades. He was described as quiet and unassuming but a man who commanded respect.
Born in Trinity in 1889, he studied medicine at McGill University. After graduating, he signed up with the Canadian Army Medical Corps and served overseas until the end of the First World War.
Upon returning to Newfoundland, he established his practice in Brooklyn, Bonavista Bay. In his early practice, he was the quintessential “country doctor” travelling to remote communities by open boat, horse and sleigh, dog sled, and railway speeder to provide care. In his well equipped surgery, his wife, the former Carrie Oldford of Musgravetown, provided nursing duties.
Dr. Cross moved his practice to Clarenville in 1925 where he served patients until he retired in 1956. Dr. Cross passed away in 1964 in St. John’s.
The Dr. G. B. Cross Memorial Hospital officially opened in Clarenville on Oct. 22, 1986 though it had been providing some services for several months by then.
On hand were Premier Brian Peckford, Trinity North MHA and Social Services Minister Charlie Brett, and other dignitaries.
The site was chosen in 1973 but it wasn’t until 10 years later that construction began. Hiring staff was no small feat either as the hospital received 22,000 applications for employment.
Copy edited from The Packet, Oct. 1986.
