Nearly thirty years ago, Hamilton East Wentworth Rotarian Dr. Bob Kemp realized the need for Hospice Palliative Care in the Greater Hamilton area. Facilities South of the border had left him impressed and excited by the services available to those at end of life and he wanted to be able to offer this support to his own patients and their families.

The early Hospice was held in the basement of the Church of the Redeemer and offered a Day Program once a week. In 1999, Dr. Bob and his wife, Mildred, donated their property on Wardrope Avenue, in Stoney Creek, and the Hospice found its first real home.

By 2002, the Hospice was able to offer services such as Day Program, a Volunteer Visiting Program and bereavement support programs for children and adults.

With all of this in place, the next goal became opening a Residential Hospice. Thanks to many generous donations and the tireless efforts of the members of our capital campaign, this goal came to fruition in July 2007.

The Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice is situated on two acres of land, donated by Iris Berryman.

At the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice, our goal is to provide individuals and families living with a life-threatening illness excellence in care, whether that be at home, in hospital, a long-term care facility or our very own residential hospice. Hospice is about celebrating life and quality of living. All services, including our residential program, are provided at no cost to our clients or their families.