William Brian McNaull

Dr William Brian McNaull

(August 30, 1953 - November 20, 2024)

Dr William Brian McNaull passed away on November 20, 2024, to be with his Lord Jesus Christ. He was in his 72nd year. Brian touched the lives of many through his work in medicine and in ministry around the world. He was born in Coleraine, Northern Ireland on August 30, 1953, to parents James and Anna McNaull. He committed his life to Christ at the age of 17 and was a man marked by devotion to his Lord. He married his wife Hazel McNaull (nee Hartley) in Londonderry, Northern Ireland in 1977. Brian and Hazel celebrated their 47th anniversary together in the summer of 2024. 

Brian was an accomplished physician and had a drive to use medicine as a tool to share the Gospel. When interviewed for medical school he was asked why he wanted to be a physician, to which he responded, I take my faith seriously and I want to use medicine to help people overseas. He completed his early education at Foyle College Grammar School, Londonderry, Northern Ireland (1972) followed by medical studies at Sheffield, England (1979). He worked as a general practitioner in Port Saunders, Newfoundland (1979-1982), Kirkfield, Ontario (1982-1983) and Coboconk, Ontario (1983-1989). During this time, he studied theology and completed a Master’s of Divinity at Toronto Baptist Seminary (1990). In subsequent years he worked at several medical clinics including as a clinical associate at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto (1991-1994). He completed training in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Cambridge University (1995) and Tropical Medicine at the University College London (1997). He then worked at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto in the Liver Study Unit (1997-2005). With honed skills in medicine and theology he was called to Vietnam where he was based at the Hanoi Family Medicine Practice. He did outreach work with Samaritan’s Purse, Asian Outreach, Carey Outreach Ministries and Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation. He remained in Hanoi until 2023. 

Brian was a deeply caring man. He enjoyed engaging in discussion with his patients and understanding not only their medical ailments, but their stories and their background. He had a great sense of adventure, epitomized by his time in southeast Asia and a love for travel. He enjoyed an array of music, teaching on a wide breadth of topics, stimulating conversation and fellowship over a good meal. He lit up when discussing theology, medicine, politics and current events from around the world. 

Brian is survived by his wife Hazel, his four sons Benjamin (Elizabeth), Joshua (Linda), Samuel (Cara), David (Anna) and ten grandchildren, Jacob, Nicholas, Jonathan, Isaac, Elijah, Ethan, Samuel, Isabel, Marie and Magdalyn. He will be missed by his brother Kenneth (Anne), sister Sharon, extended family, colleagues and patients from around the world. 

The family is grateful for the compassionate staff at Mariposa House Hospice in Orillia and the care of Dr Erika Catford, the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie and the care of Dr Robert El-Maraghi and colleagues, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital and the care of Dr Deven Bhatt, as well as the many nurses and physicians who participated in his care. 

A visitation will be held at Mundell’s Funeral Home, 79 West Street N., Orillia on Thursday November 28th from 6.00-8.00pm. There will also be visitation at Fair Havens Community Church, B2355 Regional Road 48 E., Regional Municipality of Durham (East of Beaverton) on Friday November 29th at 10.00am, followed by a funeral service at 11.00am with a reception to follow the service. Private internment with the family will be at the Coboconk Cemetery. 

Donations can be made, if desired to Samaritan’s Purse (www.samaritanspurse.ca ) or Mariposa House Hospice (www.mariposahousehospice.com). 

Messages of condolence are welcomed at www.mundellfuneralhome.com.