Dr. Jack Ven Tu MD, MSc, PhD, FRCPC died suddenly and unexpectedly at home on May 30, 2018 at the young age of 53. He will forever be in the hearts of his cherished family, son Eric, wife Jane, parents Jun-bi and Beth, sister Karen, nephews Christopher, Owen, Andrew, Bradley, close friends, and extended family. Jack was born in Taipei, Taiwan in 1965. He immigrated to Canada at the age of 2. He was exceptionally bright and graduated from the University of Western Ontario Medical School at the young age of 23, received an MSc from the University of Toronto, and a PhD from Harvard.

Jack was a leading international cardiovascular epidemiologic researcher, receiving numerous awards and recognitions for his work but he was especially proud of his tennis trophies and winning the national grade 7 Science Fair. He had passion for learning new things and loved tennis, skiing, golf, music, good food, travelling, and nurturing and encouraging his son to surpass his own achievements. Research was in his blood not only for science but also in planning trips and picking the best schools, activities and experiences for Eric. He had a special knack for always choosing the best dish in a restaurant wherever he went, and as a father, he embraced everything his son did, from watching the Toronto Raptors (lose) every year, to attending his volleyball games, or his debating competitions, to buying a ridiculously overpriced Steinway, because his son was such a gifted piano player.

The cardiovascular health services research world will greatly miss one of its superstars. He was a mentor, supervisor, friend and colleague to many and his passing will also be deeply felt at his work home, the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. He has been described as an ‘absolute giant in the field of cardiovascular medicine’, ‘an amazing researcher’, ‘an outstanding leader’ and ‘a legend that contributed so much to Canadian Science.’ More importantly friends and colleagues described him as an outstanding individual, and the most generous, kind man. Jack was taken from us way too soon, but not without leaving his mark. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heart and Stroke.