A/PROF PAUL SPIRA
We are saddened to announce the passing of Paul Spira on 29th December 2023 following a brief illness. We thank our patients and colleagues for your understanding and messages of support at this time. Dr Katherine Spira is available to continue care of all of Prof. Spira's existing patients, we are also happy to transfer medical records for those wishing to continue care elsewhere.
Obituary in Brief
Paul Spira was a family man, gifted doctor and teacher, intellectual, adventurer, proud Jew, Australian and lover of the state of Israel. Throughout his life he treated tens of thousands of patients and made an important contribution to the education of thousands of medical students and junior doctors. In his lifetime he was recognised for his eminent and outstanding contribution to his profession.
He was born in 1946 in Kosice Czechoslovakia to Kato and Laci, survivors orphaned by the Holocaust. The family migrated to Israel in 1947 and then in 1954 to Australia where they settled in Coogee. Paul enrolled in Coogee Public School. The family welcomed his brother Tommy in 1957.
Paul completed his Secondary Education at Randwick Boy’s High School. He excelled in his leaving certificate and was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship to study medicine at the University of Sydney. Sadly Kato passed away in 1969 just prior to his graduation.
In his second year of residency, Paul encountered Prof James Lance, doyen of Australian Neurology who became his mentor. Under his guidance Paul undertook advanced training in Neurology as well as foundational research in Migraine. In 1976 he was introduced to his wife Anne, with whom he would share a beautiful loving relationship till the end of his life. The couple would eventually raise four children, Katherine, Amy, Elliott and Joel. After marriage the couple moved to London for a year, where Paul completed his training at the National Neurology and Neurosurgery Hospital at Queen’s Square.
On his return to Australia, Paul took up a position at Prince Henry and Prince of Wales Hospitals. He eventually completed 50 years of service to the hospitals whilst also running a busy private practice.
Paul was a gifted doctor. His clinical skills were exceptional, knowledge base encyclopaedic and he effortlessly integrated the human and scientific aspects of medicine with fluency and humility. He brought warmth and dignity to the bedside and a supportive and encouraging working and learning atmosphere emanated from him as he moved through the hospital. Even in the most hopeless of situations, in the most broken of bodies, he saw and helped others to see the beauty and sanctity of human life. For these things he was not only respected, but greatly loved by his patients, all hospital staff and the wider medical fraternity. Through his contribution to teaching his impact on patients was multiplied many times over as those he trained became better doctors for the receipt of his wisdom.
Alongside his professional achievements, he was a loving husband, devoted father of four, grandfather of five, son, brother, cousin, friend and mentor. He was a keen yachtsman, talented handyman and inventor, gifted storyteller, lover of literature, travel and Israel.
Paul passed away at home on 29/12/2023 after a brief illness surrounded by the love of his family. As his time grew close he often expressed gratitude for his allotment of years and fullness of life experience.
For further information or a more comprehensive eulogy/obituary please contact Dr Katherine Spira at [email protected]