1934
2021
PHILIP SEEMAN 1934 - 2021 Philip Seeman died at home on January 9 after a very long progressive muscle disease. His disability did not stop him from continuing to publish, until late 2020, on his favourite topics, the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia and the molecular mechanisms of action of old and new antipsychotic drugs. Philip was never happy unless he was helping someone, whether a family member, a student, a colleague, or, as happened often, a stranger who asked for advice and counsel. Philip is beloved by his wife, Mary, his children, Marc (Ellen), Bob (Nicola), and Neil (Sarit) his six grandchildren, Ahron, Geoffrey, Ciara, David, Ronan, and Dori, his niece Carolyn, nephews Martin and Cooper, several cousins, and large numbers of grandnieces and nephews. As a result of Philip's pioneering work in discovering the configuration of the dopamine receptor in the brain to which antipsychotic drugs attach, schizophrenia and related diseases have been greatly destigmatized. The many who daily battle with these diseases are now able to live with dignity and respect. Funeral services will be private. To honour Philip's memory, donations may be directed to schizophrenia research at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
13 Entries
Only today, March 4, 2023, did I become informed of the passing of Dr. Philip Seeman. I began my 25-year efforts as a mental health advocate through a journalistically-styled interview with Dr. Seeman. His knowledge and interpretation of the brain - expressed in such clear, lucid terms for the layperson that I was - and am - motivated me to dig as deep as I could in the human experience that the brain reflected and produced. I regret deeply his loss and my lack of awareness of Dr. Seeman's death until now. So, belatedly, may I express my condolences and best wishes to Mary and the entire Seeman family, several members of which I have had the great privilege to know. Bill Wilkerson
Bill Wilkerson
Bill Wilkerson
Work
March 4, 2023
Im sending my thoughts and condolences to Mary and her family during this difficult time. May the love of friends and family provide comfort and solace as the days and weeks pass.
Bronwyn Mound
February 13, 2021
Maria Thornton
January 29, 2021
To Dr. Mary Seeman and family,
In Loving Memory of Dr. Philip SEEMAN. May his memory be a blessing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. So sorry for your loss.
Dr. John and Maria Thornton
Dr John Thornton
Friend
January 29, 2021
In Loving Memory of Philip SEEMAN and may your memory be a blessing. With our thoughts and prayers, to Dr. Mary Seeman and family so sorry for your loss. Dr. John and Maria Thornton
Dr. John and Maria Thornton
Friend
January 29, 2021
What a wonderful tribute to you both in the Globe today! My brother John Medland died in 1968 at 27years of age. My father, looking for any research that was being done in the mental health field, was lucky enough to find Philip. I think that he visited the lab at least twice a year for many years and was fascinated by the encouraging work that was being done in the department. Philip was always kind and generous with his time. I know that these visits helped our family, and particularly my parents, through the years. He patiently tried to explain his research, and he took the burden of blame away from our family. What a great gift!
My thoughts are with you and your family.
Fondly, Pam (Medland) O'Rorke
Pam O'Rorke
Friend
January 28, 2021
We are very grateful to Dr. Philip Seeman and his wife, Mary. When our son took ill in his late teens, we feel they saved us as a family. Our son is now working on his PhD. but the outcomes could have been much different without their timely intervention, excellent treatment, and research. Just a pebble in the water, can set the sea in motion... if we show a little love, Heaven knows what we could change...
Thank you! In loving memory, the Gaudi family
Kathy Gaudi
January 28, 2021
Phil was a brilliant scientist, a true scholar, and a wonderful human being. I always looked forward to running in to him at scientific meetings where I was invariably enriched after catching up on his latest discoveries and current thoughts. His dedication to and enthusiasm for his work was infectious. He has left a lasting scientific legacy.
My sincere condolences to Mary and Phil's family.
Chris Fibiger
Friend
January 22, 2021
I did not have the honour to work with Dr. Phil Seeman, but his work was trailblazing for some of mine. He was one of the giants among 20th-century psychiatrists. My thoughts and the thoughts of my colleagues in the University of Toronto Department of Psychiatry are with his wife, Dr. Mary Seeman, and the rest of his family.
Benoit Mulsant
Coworker
January 20, 2021
My condolences to the family. I have know Phil for many years having, like Phii, spent my research career since the late 1960s focusing on dopamine associated with schizophrenia, and since the 1980s with Parkinson's Disease (at Dalhousie University), with which I was diagnosed in 2015.
Harold Robertson
Friend
January 18, 2021
Dr. Philip Seeman was a great scholar, scientist, professor. His contributions and passion to medical science will be remembered.
Mary and family, my heart is with you.
Mingyao
Mingyao Liu
Coworker
January 18, 2021
It has been many years since I have seen Dr. Seeman but I still remember his kindness. Mary, I am sorry for your loss. Donna
Donna Gray
January 16, 2021
I wish you all comfort as you reflect on the beautiful person Philip was and will always be. He was warm, kind and with his life’s work, touched and improved the lives of so many including those inflicted with mental illness and all their loved ones. He was a masterpiece of a human being - a beautiful person with a stellar character, a warm smile and a huge heart. May you be comforted by endless wonderful memories of times shared together and may you feel his warmth, love and presence within you and around you forever...I am grieving with you and am so sorry for your loss.
Judith Benattar
Friend
January 16, 2021
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