JOHN GODWIN BANWELL

JOHN GODWIN BANWELL BELFAST – John Godwin Banwell, 73, died peacefully Monday morning, Dec. 29, 2003, at Waldo County General Hospital, after a decade of suffering from a severe version of Parkinson’s disease. He died surrounded by those he loved, including his beloved wife, his four children, grandchildren and friends, who kept vigil during his last days. John Banwell was highly regarded in the medical field of Gastroenterology, for his distinguished research and published writing on gastrointestinal diseases. He was born on Aug. 2, 1930, in Pegu, Burma (now Bago, Myanmar). He attended the Dragon School in Oxford England, Merchant Taylor’s in London, England, and received his doctor of Medicine from Oxford University’s St. John’s College. After graduating, he continued his training at London Teaching hospitals, and Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md. He was then admitted to the Royal College of Physicians and American Gastroenterology Society. He began his career as a senior lecturer at Makere University in Uganda, Africa, followed by a stint as senior registrar at General Hospital in Birmingham, England. He then worked with a team of doctors from Johns Hopkins University in Calcutta, India. His time overseas was followed by an associate professorship at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., and Chief of Gastroenterology at the University of Kentucky and Chief of GI at Case Western Reserve, Cleveland, Ohio. His family and friends remember his dry and clever wit, which remained with him until the end, and his unexpectedly explosive laugh when he was surprised and delighted. He was also deeply loved for his modesty, kindness, gentleness, and incredible sweetness, and his natural impulse to help those around him, his loyalty, reliability and tremendous sense of duty. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Bland Banwell of Belfast; his children, Elizabeth Banwell of Stockton Springs, Ian Banwell of Charlotte, N.C., Michael Banwell of My. Joy, Penn., Susan van Houte of Bainbridge Island, Wash.; and seven grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, at St. Margaret’s Church, 95 Court St., Belfast. Donations in lieu of flowers can by made in his name to the Heron Fund of the Maine Community Foundation, 245 Main St., Ellsworth, ME 04605.