Tributes are pouring in after the passing of former Progressive Conservative health minister Dr. Dennis Furlong.
The longtime family physician became health minister under the Bernard Lord government in 1999 and later went on to serve as education minister.
Former Liberal MLA Michael Murphy says Furlong was a wise, funny and great person whom he turned to for advice during his second week as health minister in 2006.
Dr Dennis Furlong I turned to for advice in week 2 as Health Minister He headed the trauma system set up committee, was wise, funny and a great person. I enjoyed everything we did together and our time. He won’t rest but he will be in peace.Condolences to his family and friends
— Michael B Murphy QC (@monctonSJlawyer) March 10, 2018
Furlong was born in St. John’s, N.L., in 1945 and set up a medical practice in Dalhousie in 1977.
He went on to serve as president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick and the New Brunswick Medical Society in the 1980s.
In 2007, Furlong was appointed chair of the New Brunswick Trauma System Advisory Committee by then-health minister Michael Murphy.
Saddened to hear of the passing of former NB health minister Dennis Furlong. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
— Brian Gallant (@BrianGallantNB) March 10, 2018
I am saddened to hear of the passing of former health minister Dennis Furlong. My thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time. #NewBrunswick
— Bill Fraser (@billfrasermla) March 10, 2018
As an athlete, Furlong served as president of Athletics New Brunswick from 2004 to 2007 and chaired the committee that brought the 2003 Canada Winter Games to the Chaleur region.
His accomplishments as an athlete include 15 provincial masters records, a 15th place finish in the M60 decathlon at the 2007 World Masters Championships, and a gold medal performance in the M70 decathlon at the 2016 Pan American Masters Championships.
Progressive Conservative leader Blaine Higgs says in a statement that he appreciated Furlong’s ideas, wisdom and passion for the province, especially in the areas of improving health care and education for all New Brunswickers.
— Blaine Higgs (@BlaineHiggs) March 11, 2018
(Photo: Dennis Furlong, left, in a photo from the Government of New Brunswick dated Nov. 13, 2002.)
