Geir Johan Grøtte Obituary
23 February 2026
(Last updated: 23 Feb 2026 15:44)
Geir Johan Grøtte FRCS(Eng), FECTB
7th December 1943 – 24th January 2026
Geir Johan Grøtte was born in Bergen, Norway where he grew up alongside his parents and brother. He enjoyed the outdoors and particularly playing football and skiing. Deciding on studying medicine led him to Newcastle. His training in Cardiothoracic surgery included 2 years in Shotley Bridge, following which he spent a year as a Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital where he studied isovolumetric relaxation and subendocardial blood flow during cardiac surgery. He returned as a Senior Registrar in Cardiff for 5 years before being appointed as a Consultant Cardiac Surgeon at the Manchester Royal Infirmary in 1983. He served in this role for 25 years before retiring in 2008.
He was known for his serious demeanour, and it is fair to say he was a man of few words! His surgical skills were methodical and meticulous. He maintained high standards both in and outside the operating theatre and expected nothing less of his trainees. As Training Programme Director for the North West Cardiothoracic Surgery Rotation he was responsible for the education and training of numerous consultant surgeons practising today, thus his legacy lives on.
Outside of work he was devoted to his wife Christine and his 3 children and 6 grandchildren. He indulged in his passion for cars including Jaguars, Pontiacs and Corvettes and also music - being a huge fan of Pink Floyd. He enjoyed his annual vacations in his beloved Norway with his extended family and relaxed by absorbing the stunning vistas whilst reading and smoking his pipe.
Rest in Peace GJG
Author: Farah Bhatti
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