John SPIEGEL Obituary
John Clive Spiegel, respected psychiatrist, neurologist, teacher, author, actor and, most recently, amateur stand-up comic, passed away quietly on August 7, 2014, after a long and valiant battle with brain cancer. Clive was born in Montreal, Quebec on April 17, 1964, to Vera and Colin Spiegel. From his early years at the Selwyn House School, he displayed a passion for classical music and theatre. In fact, after completing his Honours degree in Psychology at McGill University, he moved to London, UK, to study acting at the Mountview Theatre School. This was followed by a year at the University of South Dakota's renowned Directing program. Upon his return to Canada, he continued to act and direct, before realizing that his true calling was in medicine. On the recommendation of his much-loved stepfather, Louis Robichaud, he applied to medical school in Laval, Quebec, where he completed the entire program in the French language. Through his studies there and his early work in Psychology, Clive felt his talents and interest lay in the fields of neurology and psychiatry. He was right. After attending the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Psychiatry Residency Program, in New York, he opened up a busy practice in Manhasset, where he specialized in Neuropsychiatry, and Psychosomatic Medicine. Clive was also Medical Director for Behavioural Health at the Morris Heights Health Centre, as well as a respected author, instructor, and popular lecturer at psychiatric conventions across the country. Clive is survived by his loving mother and constant supporter Vera; devoted wife Jackie and children Kyle and Alexandra. He will also be sadly missed by Aunts Agi and Eva; cousins George, Judith, Ron, Jeff, Patty and Kathy as well as the many, many patients, who he helped with his brilliance, patience, humour and indomitable spirit. The Funeral will take place at the Schwartz Funeral Home in Queens, on Sunday, August 10, at 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the National Brain Tumour Foundation.
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Regina
August 4, 2020
I think of Dr. Clive Spiegel all the time. His words of wisdom guide me with my patients in Psychotherapy. I learned more in 5 minutes from him than I did with all the formal education that I have had.
Dr. Clive Spiegel is sorely missed!
Dr. Regina
Laurie Schwartz
October 26, 2017
He was so easy to speak with. I feel so sad discovering he is gone. He was younger than my brother who died in 2016. I was so preoccupied with my family problems that I did not even know that he died. There are no doctors I know who are as real and nice and honest and open and warm and easy to talk with. He met my father and discussed with us how to help my brother with his challenges. I am devastated.
Susan Lang
March 17, 2015
Doctor Spiegel had an irreplaceable insight into mental illness.His friendly manner &sincerity Will be missed.I like to think of his passing as another Angel watching over me.
Janet
March 2, 2015
I was very sad to hear that Dr. Spiegel passed away. He was a great Dr. He always knew what to say to help you. I especially loved his office decor in Manhasset; especially his organized disorganization. I often kidded him about that. I attended one of his stand up engagements and he was very funny. Even off stage he had a great sense of humor. He was a great man and a great Dr. My prayers and thoughts will always be with his family. He will be greatly missed.
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John N
December 12, 2014
I am disheartened on many levels to learn of the passing of John Clive Spiegel. I was fortunate to be referred to him a decade ago when I truly needed his help. He may well have saved my life; at least my sanity, such as it is. I actually enjoyed my sessions with him, since we touched on a variety of subjects. He was far too young to leave us, and as I approach the age he was, I am struck with intimations of mortality. My condolences to his family.
November 27, 2014
I new Clive and his late father, when the latter was married to Clarise. I was shocked to read about his passing away.I was happy to read of how much he achieved Vera I know how close to him you were. May I express to you my sincere condolences.
Mortimer Constantine
Michael Horkan
November 25, 2014
I was shocked to hear of Clive's passing today. Through his work to mental health and rehabilitation I was blessed to have met him. The time I spent with him was fueled with laughter between the both of us. He had a true appreciation for my dark humor. I have to say he is someone that I will never forget. I pray his family some day may find peace with his passing.
Kel Pero
November 7, 2014
I knew Clive twenty years ago, when we were both actors--he accompanied me to a symposium dinner in Ottawa when I was in grad school. He was then talking about becoming a physician. I remember how proud he was of the funky glasses frames he always wore--they were a trademark! I was shocked to discover he died this past summer. I had had a brief email exchange with him a few years ago, and knew he was thriving in the US. God rest him, and every peace to his family.
Ted Nash
August 28, 2014
Dear Vera, Jackie, Kyle, and Alexandra:
Clive's passing was terribly sad news, and I grieve for your profound loss. While it offers little solace, perhaps you can derive some small comfort from the fact that he packed so much into his abbreviated life.
Clive and I were good friends at Selwyn where he injected great spirit into our community. His theatrical potential was evident to all and culminated in his hilarious rendition of Lady Bracknell in "The Importance of Being Earnest" on the school's stage. I still vividly recall being convulsed with laughter as I watched from the audience. He was captain and MVP of our champion curling team, perhaps a less celebrated of his many achievements but illustrative of his diverse talents.
Clive and I remained in touch for a number of years after high school, though we drifted apart as each of us left Canada in different directions. Seeing him at our 25th reunion was a total delight and completely natural.
I have on various occasions spoken to my wife of his character, achievements and wonderfully bombastic personality. Since his passing, I have spoken to my eldest child of him as Clive offers such a fine example to a growing boy.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
Respectfully yours,
Ted Nash (SHS '80)
Sandra Martinez
August 25, 2014
An honor to have worked with him at MHHC. He will be truly missed.
Kim Statuto
August 19, 2014
I did have the pleasure of knowing you Dr. Spiegel and was truly shocked when I heard of your passing. You were my doctor and helped me through so much in the short amount of time I have know you.I thought you would be back one day and never saw this happening. Although I understand you are in a better place but it does not make it any easier for the ones left to deal with losing you. I remember vividly when you cried because I told you that you hurt my feelings and how true and genuine you were with your response to, me. At that moment I knew you were human and were truly sorry and I respected you so much for the courage it took for you o show me that side of you.
I will truly miss you and I can only your family, friends and loved ones in thought as they go through this transition. May you rest in paradise Dr. Spiegel.
Your Patient Kim Statuto MHHC Bronx, NY
August 18, 2014
My dear Vera
I did not have the opportunity to know Clive personally but I know how a wonderful mom you were to him I am sure he left this world with great memories of the wonderful life he had because of all the love you gave him. All my sympathies and thoughts are with you. Your forever friend
Gisele
Rosa Kovalik
August 15, 2014
Since my son Eugene befriended Clive at Selwyn House school, I have considered him like a son. He blended into our family so well that he passed on the chicken pox to my five children. Despite being an only child, he was able to understand the complexities of a large family and make his own space in our home. This acute understanding of human nature helped to forge his future path in life in both acting and medicine. My late husband and I were always impressed by Clive's intelligence, drive and what I loved most, his ability to entertain. I still cannot comprehend his passing, some one with so much energy and drive. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Jackie, Kyle, Alexandra and Vera.
Jeff Zoldos
August 13, 2014
Auntie Vera:
As you know my girls and I had the pleasure of hosting Clive and sometimes Kyle at our home over the last several years and were blessed with his humor and wisdom in many areas. Clive will be truly missed.
Myeva Surjik-Fox
August 12, 2014
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Clive's passing. I met him in Toronto as an actor many years ago. He was an unforgettable and dear man. We had reconnected recently via social media - I was unaware he was ill. His love of the theatre, sense of humour, and zest for life always made him such great company. A talented and delightful man, who will not be forgotten. Deepest sympathies to the family on your tragic loss.
Gail Kelly
August 12, 2014
Words alone can not describe how great this man was. My heart and condolences to his family. We all loved him so dearly much. He was such a brilliant,kind,funny,and companionate man. His professionalism as a psychiatrist no one will ever top. He will be so missed by us all love Brian,Gail,Kathleen,Brian jr and Luke Kelly
Dr. Regina Cofrin
August 12, 2014
Dr. John Clive Spiegel was my Doctor and I was his patient for many, many years. He treated my intractable migraines and headaches which enabled me to function diurnally; which helped me to be a mother to an autistic little boy. My son Luke was also his patient. When my autistic child found out about why mommy was crying, he hugged me and cried himself!! Words cannot express my absolute devastation upon losing my dearest Doctor, and my friend. Doctor Spiegel's brilliance shines now through his spirit that lives on eternally. I will sorely miss this man. I count myself so very fortunate to have known him---a true gentleman, a caring human being, empathetic with so much life energy---funny, and non-judgmental. I am distraught over this ineffable loss---I send prayers for comfort and peace to his family and have trust that we will all meet him again and be in his beautiful presence. Until then Clive, you will always be remembered and remain an inspiration to me. Rest in peace. With bittersweet tears, Regina
Neil Barclay
August 12, 2014
Clive was without question the most extraordinary person I ever met. The range of his interests and acumen was breathtaking and when he focussed on something, it was with an all-consuming passion. Theatre is what brought us together and I spent hours and hours in his bedroom on Redpath Street listening to original cast albums of Broadway shows and trading insight and gossip with him. When he was studying at Mountview Theatre School in London I was the recipient of dozens of letters on blue airmail stationary detailing the productions he was seeing in exquisite detail. He thrilled in seeing (and meeting) legends of the stage like John Mills, Ralph Richardson, Peggy Ashcroft, Paul Scofield, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Ian McKellan, as well as witnessing the beginnings of many incredible careers like Fiona Shaw, Juliet Stevenson, Kenneth Branagh and Daniel Day-Lewis. When he returned to Canada I got to see him in action onstage in many productions, most memorably as Claudius in a Mountview tour of HAMLET which I saw in Bayonne NJ. (I always regretted not seeing one of the two productions of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST in which he played Lady Bracknell! Both before he turned 20!) It would have been easy to lose touch with him, as we were rarely in the same city at the same time, but his dedication to maintaining relationships meant that it was rare for a fortnight to go by without hearing from him, whether he was studying at Laval University or USD, or beginning his career as a doctor in Manhattan or the Bronx or Long Island. I will treasure the time I spent with him on mad overnight drives to New York to see shows (one of which ended up with us spinning into a ditch on a snowbound NY Thruway), and the many trips we made to Stratford and that he made to Niagara-on-the-Lake. He enfolded everyone he met into a very welcoming net and, in turn, every friend of mine who ever met Clive would constantly ask how he was doing. I was so happy that he found such love and fulfillment with Jackie these last fifteen years or so, and the pride he took in telling me about Kyle and Alexandra made it clear how much he loved them. I am still not quite believing that he is gone and I know that whatever I am feeling pales next to what Jackie and the kids and dear Vera are feeling right now. I thank you for sharing your husband, father and son with me (and so many people) all these years. I will treasure the memories I have and will now start to tackle the job of sorting through all the letters and cards he sent since 1983, every one of which I have kept.
Stephen Solyom
August 12, 2014
Clive was an upbeat, imaginative thinker. His intellect and humour were notable back in Grade 7 when we first met, and last time I spoke to him a couple of years ago. We saw each other only sporadically since the 1990s, but I always enjoyed his friendship and quick wit. I will miss him. My condolences to all of his family and friends.
David Daly
August 12, 2014
Clive was a dear and lifelong friend and one of the most alive people I have ever known. I find it incomprehensible that he is no longer with us. To Jackie, Kyle, Alexandra, and Vera, know that my thoughts and prayers are with you ... and that I am hoping that maybe you can find some small comfort in the fact that even though the number of years he was given were far too few, he lived them all to their fullest.
Olga Kovalik
August 12, 2014
Clive was an inspiration. He had big dreams and was never afraid to try to make them a reality from acting to medicine. His intellect, sharp wit, and dramatic flare always made him a pleasure to be around. I have known Clive since early childhood, and I can say without a doubt that I have never had a boring interactions with him. Clive gave the world so much, and he was taken away too soon. My deepest sympathies for his family.
Audrey Kirstein
August 11, 2014
There are no words to describe my sadness on the loss of a very unique man. Clive was a blast to be around, people, when in his presence, were marvelled by his intellect and his thirst for knowledge. He was cultured and his diverse array of talents ranging from acting, directing and to specialized medecine left people speechless and proud to have had the privledge of knowing Clive. R.l.P Clive, I will hang onto the memories
Eugene Kovalik
August 11, 2014
I have known Clive since the 7th grade. He was a good friend and for some time became part of our family when he lived with us during his CEGEP years. He also spent time shadowing with me during his medical school years. He lived his dream in theater and being in NYC. My entire family is saddened by his death. He was like another son to my mother.
August 11, 2014
I was profoundly shocked hearing the news of Clive's passing. We became close friends when we worked together in a play for Inner Stage. Clive had one of the keenest minds and was a font of knowledge regarding theatre. We spoke more infrequently in the last few years but I can always hear Clive's voice when watching a play and imagine what his critique and insights might be. My wife, Anaya, who also knew Clive, and I both send our deepest sympathies to his beloved mother, wife and children. He was truly an original and I salute his brilliance and wisdom. Donald Carrier, Cleveland, Ohio
Sybelle Silverphoenix
August 11, 2014
Your talents, humor and intellect will be sorely missed. Thanks so much for sharing them with me. You were one of the few I could really relate to, especially being both actors, and speaking the same languages. You will be sorely missed :( My condolences to the family. We have lost a wonderful person who really made anywhere he went an absolutely pleasant environment.
Kathy Zoldos and the entire Rubinoff Family
August 11, 2014
Verushka
Those of us who were fortunate enough to know Clive have had our lives enriched for having known him. He was truly a "Renaissance Man"--so comfortable in so many worlds. You should take comfort in the knowledge that his suffering is over, and you should take pride in the knowledge that he impacted many lives and left his mark. Know that you are loved and appreciated!!!
Andrew Webster
August 11, 2014
Dear Vera, Jackie, Alexandra, and Kyle,
I am extremely sorry for your loss. Clive and I met at Selwyn when Clive was in Grade 3, two grades ahead of me. We have been good friends ever since. Later, when we both moved to NY, we enjoyed seeing Shakespeare plays in Central Park together. Clive's in-depth commentaries on the actors and the plays were wonderful and spot on. I was always amazed at how knowledgeable Clive was in so many fields! I will miss Clive's advice and friendship. My deepest sympathies.
Michael Whitehead
August 11, 2014
To all of Çlive's family,
This is very sad news - I had no idea that Clive was ill. My deepest condolences on your loss. I attended Selwyn House with Clive in the 1970s, when we both lived on Redpath St. in Montreal. Clive and I saw each other frequently when he was working an actor in Toronto in the late 1980s and 1990s. He had a razor sharp intellect, a boundless passion for theatre and music, and a surprisingly gentle sense of humour. I will miss him greatly. Michael Whitehead
Lorna Dillon(Meazey)
August 11, 2014
A total shock. This wonderful man was part of my youth. I attended Drama School with him and was fortunate enough to persuade him to come to a reunion a few years ago in London. Bless you Clive. You had a big heart with a massive dash of fun sprinkled in. Big hugs and thoughts go to his family.
Helen Futcher
August 10, 2014
I am keen to let Clive's family know that his larger-than-life presence, humour, kindness and talent have stayed bright in my mind and heart for all the years since I last saw him in London. I studied at Mountview with him in the early 80s, and have never forgotten him. I am so very sorry that you have had to say goodbye to him so soon. His life seemed so vibrantly experienced, and yet still so full of potential. A very great loss. I am sending love and deepest condolences from Brisbane, Australia. Helen (Howard/Futcher - he knew me as both)
lorne kirstein
August 10, 2014
Clive you were a well filled with with endless knowledge who most of all loved to have people come to your tap and you would fill them with your words of endless wisdom. You the smartest person I ever knew and even though your comedy sucked, you were one of the best actors I ever had the privilege to watch perform on stage and, more importantly, you were a wonderful MD who helped so many people return to a life that they had almost lost forever. You will me missed and never forgotten
Lorne
Mortimer Constantine
August 10, 2014
Vera and Louis Robichaud, my sincere condolences on the passing of Clive. Iwas truly elated by his academic achievements.He must have made both of you very proud. Your combined input was great in molding a wonderful son. I am sure that his memory will be with you all the days of you lives.Mortimer Constantine.
Helene Novek
August 10, 2014
Please accept our deepest sympathies on your sad loss.
Helene Novek and Evelyn Novek
John Hough
August 10, 2014
Jacqueline
I wanted to offer my deepest condolences on the passing of Dr. Spiegel. I hope that you and your family can get through this difficult time. My prayers are with you.
John Hough
August 10, 2014
Jacqueline
I wanted to express my deepest condolences on the passing of Dr. Spiegel. I hope that you and your family can get through this difficult time. My prayers are with you.
August 10, 2014
Dearest Aunt Vera,
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear son Clive. He had a fulfilling life and made you a proud mom and grandma. He was fortunate to have your loving presence to the end. My heart goes out to you.
Nejama Anne Ferstman
August 9, 2014
Dear Vera, Jackie, and Family,
Please accept our deepest condolences. We are so very sad to hear of Clive's passing. We wish you comfort at this difficult time.
Shelley Spiegel and Family (Los Angeles)
Dan & Lorraine Spiegel
August 9, 2014
Dear Aunt Vera and all the Family,Our deepest sympathies and condolences.
August 9, 2014
Vera, my heart is broken for you. I had no idea of Clives illness. my deepest sympathies go out to you and family on the loss of
a very dear young man. Judi Besner....Florida
Michael Shayne
August 9, 2014
Dear Vera, Jackie, Kyle and Alexandra. I was shocked and saddened to hear of Clive's passing. One thing I will remember most was his passion for theater which we shared. We spent may extended weekends cramming in as many shows that we could. I will always remember him for all those good times
Ilissa Kirstein
August 9, 2014
Dear Vera, Jackie and Family: I'm so sorry to learn of the loss of Clive. He was in the prime and best time of his life. He was a wonderful husband and a wonderful father and I will never forget our childhood when Grampa and Clive came over for dinner and is now in a better place with Grampa. My sympathies. Love Ilissa Kirstein, Craig and Hillary Cohen and Daniel Rosensweig.
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