The MUHC Foundation thanks Jean-François Leduc and the late Geoffrey Thomas Wormell for $1 million legacy donation

A remarkable $1 million donation to the MUHC Foundation has been made by the late Geoffrey Thomas Wormell via the MUHC Foundation’s Legacy Giving program. The transformative gift is supporting liquid biopsy research at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), an innovative and non-invasive tool in cancer screening that will allow for early detection and significantly improve patient outcomes.

Geoffrey Thomas Wormell was born in England but grew up in Winnipeg alongside his parents and sister. Following in the footsteps of his father, an engineer in the Royal Corps during World War II, Geoffrey graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Manitoba in 1970. His career brought him to Montreal, where he earned a Master’s in Business Administration from McGill University and later worked for SNC Lavalin. There, he quickly fell in love with the city, built lifelong friendships, and met his future wife, Micheline Leduc.

Although Mr. Wormell never had children, he had a unique bond with his nephew, Jean-François Leduc, who honoured his late uncle’s wishes, which he discovered upon his passing, was a gift in his will to the MUHC Foundation.

"I was basically like his son. We were so close, he was the one who taught me how to play chess,” shares Jean-François.

Mr. Wormell stepped in as a mentor for Jean-François after the untimely passing of his own father at age 49 from cancer. “I lost my dad young, and my uncle filled that role,” Jean-François shares, his voice softened by emotion. “He tutored me in school. He had a passion for football—he was a Winnipeg Blue Bombers fan, and he passed that onto me.”

Beyond the lessons in school and sports, Mr. Wormell instilled in Jean-François a value for giving back. “He’d always ask me what I wanted for Christmas, and I never could give him an answer. So he would make a donation in my name, because he believed there was nothing more meaningful than making a difference in your community.”

When Mr. Wormell passed, it was Jean-François who was tasked with honouring his uncle’s wish, as outlined in his will, to make a significant donation to advance health care in Quebec.

“I knew that he and my aunt were well off—they were professionals, and they didn’t have children. But I had no idea just how much they’d leave behind. That said, I’m not at all surprised that he chose to give back to his community,” shares Jean-François.

For Jean-François, this added a new layer to his uncle, who had always appreciated the little things in life, and wanted to spread joy and make a meaningful difference whenever he could.

“He didn’t need a big house or a fancy car. He loved his little boat and spending weekends at his cottage in the Laurentians,” Jean-François reminisced. “I had no idea of his wealth, and that’s the beauty of it. He lived humbly and cared deeply for others. To carry that forward feels right.”

“The MUHC Foundation is very grateful to Mr. Leduc and the late Mr. Wormell for their extreme generosity. Our legacy giving program is a beautiful way to celebrate Mr. Wormell’s values and ensure that his memory lives on through the tremendous impact his donation will have on Quebecers living with cancer,” shares Marie-Hélène Laramée, President and CEO of the MUHC Foundation.

To honour Mr. Wormell even further, the MUHC Foundation recently unveiled a plaque in his and his late wife’s name at the MUHC’s Glen site. This plaque serves as a powerful reminder to all who pass through the MUHC’s halls that medical advancements are made possible by the generosity and commitment of individuals like the Wormells, whose commitment to building a healthier future for Quebecers inspires us all.

Legacy Giving Month offers a time to recognize the power of such gifts, no matter the amount—to support future generations, honour loved ones, and leave a lasting legacy that continues to give.