Family pay tribute to former Stoke Newington doctor
A former Stoke Newington GP died as he was doing “the job he loved” – tending to a patient.
Dr Michael Dalton had a practice at Stoke Newington Church Street, which he took over from Dr Vincent Kielty in the 1960s.
He retired about 10 years ago but continued working as a locum in London.
The 70-year-old doctor was taken ill when working at a surgery in Tottenham, on June 9.
His sister, Maureen Dalton, said: “He died in harness.”
She said he had not been ill and his death was sudden, but he died doing the job he loved.
The oldest of four children, he had initially planned to study maths and had a scholarship to Cambridge, but decided to become a doctor instead.
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He studied at the Royal Free Hospital and first worked as a GP with his mother, Dr Katharina Dalton, a pioneer in research into pre-menstrual syndrome.
He then went to work in Stoke Newington, where he cared for generations of patients.
His wife, Praveena, joined him as practice manager at the surgery, housed in a building which was once home to writer Daniel Defoe.
His sister said: “He loved being a GP in Stoke Newington.”
Dr Dalton, who lived in Palmers Green, took an MSc in electronics in his 40s. Some patients will remember him using the ultrasound machine which he built himself.
He also loved DIY and after retirement threw himself into restoring a rambling chateau in France.
“There were so many rooms to do up,” recalled his sister Maureen.
“He kept coming back over to England doing his locum work.”
He leaves a daughter, Michelle, and two grandchildren.
His funeral is at New Southgate Cemetery chapel at 1.30pm on Monday, June 27. A memorial service will be held later.