Volume 8 • 2021 • Issue 5

Remembering Dentistry Leaders Dr. JayMcMullan Dr. John Francis (Jay) McMullan of Montreal, Quebec, passed away on June 27, 2021. He was 61 years old. D r. McMullan grew up in Sainte-Claire, Quebec, and moved to Nova Scotia to play hockey for St. Francis Xavier University, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He transferred to McGill University where he joined the varsity hockey team while studying dentistry. Like his father, the late John Francis (Jack) McMullan (DDS 1957), Dr. Jay McMullan had two lifelong passions: hockey and dentistry. He graduated fromMcGill’s faculty of dentistry in 1984. Dr. McMullan practised dentistry for 37 years and was a leader and mentor in the dental community. He was actively involved at the Canadian Academy of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics (CARDP) and he went on to serve as CARDP president in 2014. “Jay kept his friends well, staying in touch on a regular basis and offering help wherever he could. This was especially evident in the dental community,” remembers Dr. Douglas Hamilton, CARDP vice-president. “Whether mentoring a local colleague or commanding the presidency at CARDP, Jay was always seen as a high quality professional and a leader of importance who cared about and helped those all around him. We are all much better from having known him over his 37-year professional life, and he will be greatly missed.” Dr. McMullan was described by his patients as a compassionate, kind and caring man. “Through his father, Jay learned the value of his profession and understood the sacred trust dentists hold, promising to serve the very best they can, in the interest of the patient,” says Heather McMullan, his wife. “In his dental realm, he was in command. Even though the environment can be stressful, Jay was always kind and calm. Inspiring confidence in others, patients and team members alike, he was able to make any stress fade.” From 1981–84, Dr. McMullan patrolled the McGill hockey team’s blue line. During the final season, he partnered with fellow defencemanMike Babcock, whowent on to become head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Both father and son were very supportive of the McGill hockey program. In the 1950s, Dr. McMullan’s father captained the McGill hockey team. More recently, son Jay served as the team dentist. One example illustrates his dedication to the team perfectly: 10 years ago, Dr. McMullan received a call from the McGill head coach late on a Friday night, after a player sustained a dental injury during a game in Ottawa. Dr. McMullan suggested having the team bus stop at his clinic on its way back to Montreal so he could repair the player’s broken teeth that night! Beside hockey and dentistry, Dr. McMullan enjoyed playing golf. He was a member of the Royal Montreal Golf Club since 2001. Dr. McMullan was predeceased by his parents, Maureen and Dr. Jack McMullan. He is survived by his wife, Heather; his children, Patrick, Andrea, Laura; three grandchildren and many other family members. 46 | 2021 | Issue 5 Obituaries