‘Died with dignity’: Friend says MAID recipient donated organs, had send off he wanted

Friends of John Maloney who died a medically assisted death last week say he died with dignity, and changed the lives of others by donating his organs.

John Maloney died last Friday of medically assisted death, otherwise known as MAID. Tom Langner was one of the friends who sat by his side at the hospital during his final moments.

“Everyone was just so wonderful, respectful … John died with dignity,” he told CTV News Edmonton, teary-eyed, on Wednesday.

Langner and Maloney met more than 20 years ago through a mutual friend. They quickly bonded through Costco trips, regular lunch appointments, a shared love of learning and the odd conspiracy theory.

“There’s nothing like having a blind guy in your car and he’s giving you directions. He just knew the city, he knew where I had to turn,” Langner recalled with a chuckle.

Maloney, who lost his vision completely years ago due to congenital cataracts and glaucoma, would often place a hand on his friend’s shoulder in order to get around.

“He didn’t like to use his cane. He liked that human connection,” Langner reflected.

“That was just John. He put his hand on your shoulder, and you led the way, even though he was probably the one leading.”

A few years ago, the two travelled to Victoria, B.C., together – Langner’s old stomping grounds from his days in the Navy – as Maloney completed an in-person residency at Royal Roads University.

Eventually, they fell in and out of touch, as long distance friends do.

Then, Langner learned that Maloney had intended to die of MAID by himself. That was when Langner reconnected with his longtime friend and the two picked up right where they left off.

Maloney’s decision

The day before his death, Maloney learned he was eligible to donate his lungs, a kidney, bone and tissue. At least three patients received his donations.

“That made him feel so wonderful, that his organs were going to be used,” Langner said. “But that’s just John’s generosity, right to the end and beyond … I wish the circumstances were different, but I support him.”

Maloney had used Track Two MAID, a form the Alberta government recently moved to restrict given that most of its recipients do not have foreseeable deaths.

But Maloney said he was tormented by his incurable conditions, which included incessant visual hallucinations and severe insomnia. He chose to share his story with CTV News last week after learning of the new Alberta bill.

Read more: ‘Joy and sorrow’: Mixed reactions from affected groups to Alberta’s proposed MAID restrictions

“John was an educator. He wanted people to be informed. He wasn’t going to shelter information, he really wanted people to know,” Langner said.

He says he believes that Maloney was experiencing “intolerable, legitimate pain and suffering.”

Maloney, ever the planner, was not dissuaded once through the process, his friend added.

“At that time, he needed people to give him a hug and hold his hand and say, ‘We love you, John, for who you are,” he said.

“He mended a few fences with people that were close to him, important to him. I think he had every conversation he wanted to have with people. So he was at peace, so solid in his decision.”

Ultimately, Maloney did not listen to “Turn, Turn, Turn,” by The Byrds. His final song was in fact another 60s hit: “The End,” by The Doors.

“He thought that was very appropriate for his procedure. He, of course, let out a little laugh. He has a little bit of a dark sense of humour,” Langner said. “But that’s John.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Nicole Weisberg