John Victor Leonard Colman graduated from Sydney University in 1946 and commenced his internship at Sydney Hospital. He always wanted to be a surgeon. He followed the well established track of the day to Great Britain and commenced surgical training at Trindal Hospital in Aylesbury. He remained in England for three years and gained [his] Fellowship in the Royal College of Surgeons England. He was recognised as a gifted surgeon at an early stage and was described by his mentor as "knowing when to operate and when not to operate. He operates tidily and quickly but handles tissues gently. In fact he has what all surgeons are supposed to have... a good pair of hands." It was this clinical and technical skill, so early recognised, which made him revered by all who worked with him. On his return to Sydney he took up appointments at Balmain and Sydney Hospitals. He became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 1961. On the establishment of the Medical School at the University of New South Wales he took up an appointment at Prince Henry and Prince of Wales Hospitals where he concentrated his practice. It was at Sydney Hospital and later Prince Henry Hospital where he developed a strong professional relationship with the gastroenterologist, Brian Billington which lead to the first integrated gastrointestinal unit in Sydney and probably Australia. John was the complete surgeon and doctor. He was kind and compassionate to all his patients. He was a skilled clinician who took great pride in his ability to make accurate bedside diagnosis. He was a master anatomist and pathologist. In the operating theatre he had no peer. He made the complex seem simple and demonstrated consummate intra operative decision making and patience. A true general surgeon, he developed special interest in upper gastrointestinal surgery and breast surgery. He was an inspiration to all who came in contact with him and became the role model for generations of medical students and inspired many to become surgeons. He loved to teach and lead by example. He freely admitted that his impetus to teach was in gratitude to those who had taught him and sought no praise or recognition for his commitment. He was a devoted husband to Helen and father to Kate and Sarah. He welcomed many of us into his heart and his home. He will be sadly missed but his inspiration will be passed on to others out of gratitude and respect to him.