Early Life and Education
Stephen Blizzard grew up in Trinidad and Tobago, where he was a member of the Scouts and the army cadet program.
The Scouts had an Air Scouts program through which he was tutored by members of the Royal Air Force stationed on the island. In 1948, Blizzard left for the University of Edinburgh on a scholarship, studying to be a veterinarian. He joined the Tiger Moth
Club and learned to fly but did not receive his private pilot’s license. On his return to Trinidad, he practiced as a veterinarian and obtained his private pilot’s license. In 1955, Blizzard married Merle, a nurse and midwife. They would have three children
together, two sons and a daughter. In 1958, Merle accepted a job in Canada, with both arriving in Canada on 22 May.
RCAF Service
While attending the University of Western Ontario medical school, Blizzard enlisted in the RCAF on 1 September 1961 in the University Reserve Training Plan with the rank of pilot officer (2nd lieutenant) to pay for his studies. On graduating in 1963, he completed an internship at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. Blizzard first served at the National
Defence Medical Centre as the resident surgeon and then as a medical officer at CFB Rockcliffe where he was granted a permanent commission on 11 May 1966.
Throughout this period, he remained in touch with the High Commission of Trinidad and Tobago. A reception on 29 July 1964, in Dr. Blizzard’s honour, was organized by and held at the residence of the Trinidadian First Secretary, Wilfred S. Naimool in
Ottawa. Various dignitaries attended, including F.R. Phillips, MBE, Accountant-General of Grenada.
On 16 July 1967, Flight Lieutenant Blizzard was posted to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Moose Jaw as the senior medical officer. As he was the base and flight surgeon, he took military pilot training on a part-time basis. As he stated, “[t]o understand the
pilot’s problems you have to fly yourself. Otherwise, some will snow you and some won’t have confidence in you.” On 13 December 1968, Blizzard received his RCAF wings, which were pinned on him by the High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency
Donald C. Granado.
Medical Practice in Trinidad and Tobago
In 1969, Blizzard and his wife returned to Trinidad and Tobago, where they operated a medical practice. At the same time, he researched and wrote studies for British West Indies Airways and served as chairman and as a flying instructor at the
Light Aeroplane Club of Trinidad and Tobago. He also served as both commissioner of the Air Scouts and as an instructor in the early 1970s.
Return to the Canadian Forces
Blizzard returned to Canada with his wife in 1975 and was posted to CFB Borden and CFS Goose Bay in quick succession. In June 1977, he was posted to CFB North
Bay as base surgeon and was promoted to major. In November–December 1978, Blizzard took part in the airlift of Vietnamese boat people from Malaysia to Canada, under the name Operation MAGNET. He flew on each flight from Malaysia to Japan, where two medical
assistants took over. He also deployed to the Canadian Contingent, United Nations Emergency Force II (known as Operation DANACA in Canada) in Egypt for a six-month period. In May 1979 he departed for the United Kingdom where he undertook post-graduate
work in aviation medicine through the Royal College of Physicians in London.
When he returned to Canada, he was posted to the Surgeon General in Ottawa where he was the advisor on aviation medicine. In 1981, Major Blizzard was deployed to Zimbabwe as the medical advisor to the Zimbabwe Air Force for a three-month period. The objective
was to train their air force doctors in aviation medicine. In August 1982, he was posted to the National Defence Medical Centre where he went back to emergency duties and was deputy commander of the medical clinic.
Post-Military Service
Upon retiring from the Canadian Forces in 1983, Bizzard worked for 12 years for the Department of Civil Aviation Medicine as a senior consultant in safety and later as chief
of the department. He was a member of the Air Transport Licensing Authority, helped develop standards for the Civil Aviation Medical Examiners and was on the NATO Advisory Group on Aerospace Research and Development. He also served as president of the International Civil Aviation Medical Association from 1991 to 1993, as well as president of the Canadian Society of Aerospace Medicine and the Canadian Aerospace
Medicine and Aeromedical Transport Association. In these capacities, Blizzard helped make aviation safer: his work on jet lag, pilot fatigue and in-flight patient care provided the basis from which aviation authorities regulated aviation.
Civic Work
Blizzard not only served the military community but also the local community. While in Trinidad in the early 1970s he served as both commissioner of the Air Scouts and as an instructor. On 29 November 1978 he gave a talk on the “hyperactive child” to
the Nipissing Association for Children with Learning Disabilities. In 1986, Blizzard lent his support to the RCAF Association’s campaign in support of organ transplants and in 1994 hosted an event for the MATCH International Centre that supported women
in under-developed countries.
Recognition
Stephen Blizzard received numerous awards, including:
- Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St-John of Jerusalem as a “serving brother” (July 1982)
- Member of the International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine (1992)
- Wilbur Franks Award for significant contributions to the advancement of aerospace medicine and air medical transport (2004)
- Forrest and Pamela Bird Lifetime Scientific Achievement Award for contributions to safety in civil aviation (2007)
- Harry Jerome Award for his work in health sciences (2008)
- Cambridge Publishing’s “Professional of the Year” in the field of aviation medicine (2010)
- National Meritorious Service Medal, Quebec Area, Air Cadet League of Canada (2011)
- Trinidad Icon Award (2013)
- Stephen Blizzard Trailblazer Award created by The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario (2021)
- Posthumously inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (2023)
In addition, Stephen Blizzard received the Canadian Forces Decoration (1977), the United Nations Emergency Force Middle East Medal (1979) and the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal (2001).