1961-2026
Henry died peacefully on January 28, 2026, with his best friend and life partner, Janet, at his side. He will be so missed by Janet and his three adult children, Leah, Mark, and Paul. Henry will also be missed by his mom, Didy, and his sisters, Ruby Askes, Heather Roukema-Gritter (Roy), and Trish Turkstra (Andrew), his brothers, Ray (Eppie) and Cliff (Esther), and his in-laws: mom Jane Suk, and siblings Deb and John Douma, Karen Suk-Patrick and Duncan Patrick, and John Suk. Henry was predeceased by his dad, Job Roukema, and sister, Nienke (Len Batterink), father-in-law William Suk, brothers-in-law Art Suk and Henry Askes, and sister-in-law Irene Suk-Oudyk. He will also be missed by many nephews, nieces, friends, and colleagues.
Henry was a gifted and respected physician, impacting countless families through his gentle and skilled practice of neonatology medicine at St. Joseph’s Hospital and London Health Sciences Centre for over 30 years. He also contributed his knowledge and experience by teaching and mentoring many, and through many other roles, including Director of Nurseries.
He truly loved his work, but always put his family first, rarely missing coming home for dinner, even if it meant later nights in the hospital. When not working, nothing made him happier than puttering around the house and garden, cooking for friends and family, golfing a few holes, and travelling and cottaging with Janet, family, and friends. At his core, Henry was a nurturer for Janet and the kids, for his tiny patients and their families, for the many trainees and colleagues in the NICU, and for all the family and friends that were part of his life.
Henry’s family would like to extend an invitation to those who knew him to an informal gathering; a chance to be together, express condolences, and share a memory with those of us who love and miss him dearly. This will take place at Sunningdale Golf Club, 465 Sunningdale Road W, London, on Sunday, February 8th, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Instead of flowers and in consideration of those with allergies, the family asks that you please consider a donation to Ronald McDonald House Southwestern Ontario, a place that supports so many families with sick children, or another charity of your preference.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 6 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Grand Bend, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $3/km (one way travel only).
Henry was truly a good person, excellent Doctor , kind, dedicated to his profession , I was fortunate to work with him in NICU. (1986-2011) . You have my sincere condolences . Cathy McCarthy .
To Janet and family
My thoughts and prayers go out to you all during this difficult time.
I had the privilege to work with Dr Roukema in the NICU at SJHC & LHSC and found him to be a very gifted, committed, empathetic physician who cared deeply for his premature patients & their family members. I am so sorry for your loss.
May time help you heal and give you all strength, courage to face the days, years ahead.
Janet, Leah, Mark and Paul, please accept my most sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved Henry. I shared many a times working with him knowing that he was always there to help in the most precarious situation. We will all miss him greatly.
I first met Henry on a very stressful night as a new staff cardiologist at LHSC. I came in to do a procedure and Henry was there keeping the baby stable throughout it all and assisting me when needed. This is the person he has always been for me; someone who supports, someone to bounce ideas off of and also someone I could trade stories with. I am saddened by his passing, but know that he has left a legacy and will always be remembered fondly.
I am holding all of you deep in my heart at this time.
Henry was a trusted colleague and a steady, thoughtful voice in Neonatology and Transport across the province. It was truly a privilege to know him. He will be deeply missed as both a mentor and my friend.
Please accept my sincere condolences. May he rest in peace.
Janet & family
I had the privilege of working with Dr Henry as an RN in the NICU. As I read through the condolences, the same themes keep coming up:
Compassionate, humble, calm, kind, mentor, brilliant, friendly, thoughtful, humorous, family man, dedicated, committed, and the list goes on. I know all of these adjectives to be true!
Henry’s legacy will live on in the compassionate care of neonates in London & beyond! He will truly be missed.
Dear Janet and family
My condolences, Henry touched many hearts and lives. His sincerity, always a gentlemen. Very proud to have worked with him in the neonatal unit at St Joe’s. His legacy continues in his kind family.
Cherish the memories.
Dear Janet and Family,
Dr. Han sent me an email to let me know of dear Henry’s recent passing and my first reaction was, what a tragic loss for all of you and the entire hospital team. Henry was a true leader and most importantly, a compassionate doctor. When we worked so closely together with the transition to the new Children’s, he was such a strong voice for the internal and external community, giving everyone the confidence they needed to know the babies were going to be okay and well taken care of. I will always be grateful to Henry for his kind heart and generous spirit. May his memory be a blessing for all of you. With my sincerest sympathies. Deb
My sincere condolences to Janet and Dr. Roukema’s family and friends. My colleagues and I had the pleasure of working with Henry through PCMCH and will remember him as a compassionate physician and healthcare leader who will leave a lasting impact.
Dear Janet and Family,
I am saddened to hear of Henry’s passing. I knew Henry as both a resident and a colleague,exceptional neonatologist,compassionate physician,effective clinical teacher and a principled medical leader. Henry remained calm in adversity,drew the best out of his students and colleagues and deeply cared for the welfare of his precious patients and their families. When I later worked in a senior administrative hospital/university role I always found Henry someone who could put aside professional self interest and move toward a vision of child health care delivery that was balanced and of the highest quality.He worked hard with others to co locate child health services in this city and region. Dr. Henry Roukema made a difference in this world. He will be greatly missed. Tim Frewen MD Professor Emeritus Pediatrics
We will deeply miss our friend and colleague Dr. Henry Roukema, a compassionate neonatologist who cared for so many of the babies we delivered. He was a trusted partner in our work and a source of comfort to families when it mattered most. He will be greatly missed. Our deepest condolences.
So sorry to hear of your loss.
Henry was an exceptional colleague. Always calm, always compassionate, and always honest. His leadership at the provincial level paved the way for a true systems approach to neonatal intensive care in Ontario. His advocacy was never about recognition or personal gain—it was rooted in an commitment to improving care for the most vulnerable infants and supporting the teams who care for them.
He invested countless hours bringing people together, listening deeply, and building consensus. His vision for a more coordinated, equitable, and collaborative system has shaped the way we work today, and his influence will continue to guide us for years to come. Henry had a rare ability to see both the big picture and the human details, and he approached every challenge with humility, integrity, and a steady belief in what was possible when people worked together.
We have lost a remarkable leader and colleague. His contributions were profound, and his absence will be felt across our community. Yet, he will continue to inspire all of us who had the privilege of working alongside him.
Sonny Dhanani, OH PICU lead on behalf of the OH/CCSO team
Henry was a true hero, helping save my daughter’s life when she was born at 24 weeks weighing only 1lb 11oz. I can never repay you for what you’ve given me and my family. My daughter is now 18 years old and thriving, thanks to you. RIP hero.
To Henry’s family,
My heartfelt condolences to all of you on the passing of a great man. I had the privilege of working with Henry since 2018 and he was easily the most approachable, kindest and wisest pediatricians I have ever known. I hope you find peace and solace in the fact that he will be remembered so fondly, and for so long, by all of his colleagues, and by the families of his young patients whose lives he touched.
May he rest in peace.
Dear Janet,
My sincere condolences to you and your family. It was shocking for me to hear of Henry’s passing!
Henry, in his calm demeanor and even-handed approach, had always instilled confidence in, not only his patients, but all NICU staff and colleagues. My late wife, Joan, and I had fondly remembered the pool-side barbeques that we had attended in your backyard.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Deepest sympathies,
David Lee.
I met Dr. Roukema, when he helped care for my preemie twins. As a parent of his patients, you can feel how much he was respected and loved by all the staff. He was always so kind, and went above and beyond for all his patients. I am so sorry for your loss.
Always appreciated Henry’s wisdom and thoughtful comments on various patients and system issues, a physician leader who had answer for everything. I have had the pleasure of knowing him since he was a resident and I was a fellow in Critical care. It was a pleasure to see how skilled he was as a resident and his extraordinary academic achievements as such was not unexpected at all. He will be Sorley missed by all. My deepest condolences to the family.
Henry was a pillar of our community in every sense of the word. For those of us fortunate enough to work alongside him at Schulich and Children’s Hospital -LHSC, he was more than just a brilliant neonatologist; he was a gentle mentor and had a rare gift for bringing lightness and laughter when it was needed most. His guidance shaped the careers of hundreds of clinicians who now carry his teachings forward. I will always be grateful for the encouragement and wisdom he shared so freely.
It is difficult to quantify the number of lives he saved or the families he comforted over his 30+ years of service, but his legacy is woven into the fabric of this city and the thousands of children who are here today because of him. He was a nurturer at his core of his family, his colleagues, and his patients and he will be deeply missed
So sorry to lose one of the best Doctors. I was fortunate enough to have worked with Henry most of my career in the NICU. He worked hard and stayed late to make sure the babies got the best treatment possible. I learned so much from Henry during Rounds and when caring for very ill infants. He seldom missed a PICC. So kind to have a summer BBQ and pool party every summer. The NICU will not be the same without him.
Dear Janet, children and family,
This week Ray informed us about what happened to Henry and to you Janet, and to the children. It was a long time ago that we were in Canada with Job and Didy, Henry’s parents. We did not meet Henry then, but we remember a lot of things about my brother Job. Now we read many of the same things in the text of the cremation & celebrations about Henry.
Henry was a gifted, respectful and respected physician, and so was his father, Job. Job always took plenty of time for the patients and was friendly . Henry was a nurturing person for you and the kids and so was Job, we know. They also both loved their work. You’ll miss him strongly and we want to express our heartfelt condolences to you all, and of course to his mother Didy. We will phone her tonight and we will think of you of course, especially these days and on the day of the memorial.
Love from oom Evert and tante Oppe from Joure Holland.
I had the pleasure of working with Henry throughout my career, from his residency to his role of Director of Nurseries. He was an incredible physician, highly skilled but also compassionate to families and staff. Always the calm and voice of reason. His love for his family and for his profession were ever present. I was saddened to hear of his passing. Sending my condolences to you, his family and his work colleagues.
To Janet, your family and friends I would like to send my condolences. Henry was a great mentor, teacher and physician during my 2-year training in LHSC NICU. We choose to remember the quiet and patient guidance.
To the Roukema family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Henry as resident in the NICU and referred to him from the community for the last decade. He was an amazing teacher and person. He was beloved by so many of us who worked with him, not just because of his amazing skills, but his kind and giving personality. The world has been changed because of his presence.
Dearest Family!
So horrible sad!
Dr.Henry Roukema Was Such A Golden Doctor! Such a Kind Leader and Cared For All, Sooo many Gifts He had!
Such a Loss! Much tears are shed!
Hearts circle You All 24:7!
Dr. Henry Roukema was a True Angel and Will Always be!
A nurse that had opportunity to work with “Special Dr. Henry Roukema”!
I am terribly sorry to hear this news and your loss. You had wonderful experiences and I enjoyed hearing of your adventures together. My thoughts go out to you and your whole family. God Bless.
We are very sorry to learn of Henry’s passing. The tribute to his life is beautiful. Our thoughts are with you and your family, and we wish you peace and strength during this difficult time.
To Janet and family, my sincere condolences upon learning of Henry’s death. I remember him fondly from working with him when he was a Fellow in Toronto at Women’s College Hospital NICU. Henry was so caring, giving, humble, sharing his skills and knowledge, teaching those around him, supporting parents with such kindness and care. I will never forget his smile, and his laugh.
Janet and family, I am so sorry to hear of Henry’s passing. Please know that I am thinking about you all during this difficult time. Take care.
Dear Janet,
I send my deepest condolences to you, your family and friends on the passing of Henry. The obituary is a lovely tribute to his life. Sending you love and kind thoughts.
Oh Janet . . . I am shocked and so sorry to hear of Henry’s passing. You have truly lost your best friend! Our sincere condolences and may the many wonderful memories you have, put a smile on your face through this difficult time.
I worked with Henry when he was a resident at St. Joseph’s through to 2025 at LHSC. It was a privilege to work alongside side such a knowledgeable, kind, caring, supportive man. Henry treated everyone as an equal. I will always remember his sense of humour, his smile and his laugh. We had many conversations about our families and often shared family and travel photos. I will always treasure his friendship.
My sincere condolences to Janet and Henry’s entire family. He will be missed.
Dear Janet, I’m so sorry to hear this heartbreaking news with sincere condolences I send you love, strength, prayers 🙏🏻
I’m so sorry to hear about Henry’s passing. Your home was always such a warm and welcoming place to me, and I’m holding you both close in my thoughts.
We had twin boys in St Josephs NICU and Dr Roukema saved their lives, on more than one occasion.
Amazing people walk among us every day and he was one of them.
Condolences to all his family. The Geary family will not forget you.
To Janet and family words cannot fully express the sadness we feel. Henry was a mentor to many, a great person and an excellent physician.
Dear Janet and family
So sorry for your loss. Henry was a beautiful and kind human being who impacted many lives. He was the first neonatologist to welcome me to LHSC when I joined them as a new staff in 2017 (I recall our very first conversation very well).
Henry was a role model physician and a great colleague. I am lucky to have worked with such a legacy. He will always be remembered and missed.
We are so very sorry for your loss. Dr Roukema was one of our preemie daughter’s Dr while she spent 5 months in the St Joes NICU after she was born at 1 lb. He was a wonderful, kind Dr.
She is turning 18 next month and that is thanks to the Dr’s and nurses at St Joes that saved her life.
Thank you Dr Roukema.
Janet and family, I am so very sorry for Henry’s passing. His devotion to you and your family was so strong, you were the light of his life Janet.
Dear Janet and family, Henry was one of the first neonatologists to train me during the early years of his career and one who had an extraordinary impact on me. He was a kind, humble and brilliant role model. His kindness was felt by all who worked beside him and all the families whose lives he touched. He will be missed.
Dear Janet and family. Sharing our condolences and prayers as you celebrate and remember Henry and his incredible life. He will be remembered with love and kindness and his quiet strength.
Dear Janet and family,
I’m so sorry to hear of Henry’s passing. I remember how we would always chat about your travels and experiences a
He was well loved and acknowledged for his work. However, I’ll always remember him as being Janet’s best friend and companion.
Sending my condolences and thoughts to your family.
Thinking of you,
Xo
Janet, I am saddened to hear of your loss, your children’s loss, the hospital’s and families’ loss. This world has lost a beautiful person.
Sending love to you Janet and family, Henry was one of the kindest and most endearing souls I have ever met. I will never forget his smile, laugh or friendship.
Sincerest condolences to the Roukema family. Henry was doing his residency at LHSC when I commenced nursing paediatrics. Small snippets of interactions over the course of many years revealed a kind, compassionate humanitarian. His legacy will be those tiny aspects, including his patients, that shone with his care.
Sadly missed but never forgotten. May your spirit soar and your soul find its next adventure.♥️🙏💫
Carol Verwolf LHSC paediatric nurse.
Oh Janet I’m so sorry to hear this. He was a wonderful husband father and Dr. He’s a loss to the you the your family and London community.
Henry was a Great teacher and mentor. As his former trainee, I am forever grateful for the opportunity to work with him. He Always offered encouragement ready to listen. His complements and feedback brought the best out of me. My sincere condolences to your family, the LHSC fraternity and everyone who you touched their lives.
Dear Janet and family,
I don’t know what to say, but it is truly heartbreaking. Dr. Henry was a remarkable physician whose brilliance, kindness, humility, and compassion touched everyone who had the privilege of learning from him or working with him. He was also a wonderful friend and an exceptionally nice humble person.
His guidance and kind words are still echoing in my ears. He left behind so many beautiful memories that will live on long after him. What he taught me—and so many physicians from around the world—will continue to guide us throughout our careers. We will carry his teachings forward and pass them on to future generations.
He will always be remembered as a role model neonatologist and an exptionally nice person.
Please accept my deepest and most sincere condolences.
Janet and family, sorry for your loss.
Henry was and will always remembered as an inspiring, thoughtful person. He will be remembered with great respect. His impact reached trainees from around the world who learned under him, and countless babies through his work. May he rest in peace.
Sincere condolences to Henry’s family. Henry was an amazing caring Neonatologist serving families in their worst of times.
It’s been an honour to have worked with someone so compassionate and committed to the care of newborns in the NICU.
Shirin
Dear Janet and Family,
I worked with Henry as a Pediatric Resident and Clinical Assistant when the NICU was at St. Joseph’s Hospital in the early 2000’s. I remember him as one of the best teachers and mentors. He was always so calm and kind. He brought a lightness and laughter to a very stressful environment for families and colleagues alike. He will be remembered fondly. I am sending my deepest condolences.
Michelle Ponti
Janet and family, sending love and sympathy to all of you as you grieve and remember Henry. Hoping your memories of the thoughtful, brilliant and kind man that you knew him to be, will bring you comfort and peace in the coming days and months.
Love you Janet xo
Sheila
Janet, I am so sorry to hear about Henry’s passing. What a beautiful dedication to the man he was. Sending all of our love to you and yours.
Lilka, Brad and Delilah
I didn’t know Henry well, but I worked with him through MNCYN and LHSC for many years. He was always thoughtful and kind. He will be missed. My condolences to his family, friends, and co-workers.
There are no words to express my feelings nor to describe Henry as a great role model, I was honoured to work with him, learn from him
His legacy will live long
May his soul rest in peace
Dear Janet and family,
We’re so very sorry you had to say goodbye to your dearest life partner, best friend and father. He lived his life well and to the fullest. A courageous and kind man who will be sorely missed by all who were privileged to know him. We wish you strength and courage for the coming days, months and years. Love and hugs, Janna & Frank