Obituary of Paul R. Jewell
PAUL R. JEWELL, Q.C.
On Saturday, September 26, 2015 after a long, happy and productive life, Paul Jewell, in his 82nd year, slipped away from us, at his home in Toronto, after a valiant struggle with Parkinson's Disease. He is predeceased by his parents Ross and Mary Jewell (nee Greer). He is survived and will be sorely missed by his wife of over 57 years, Desanka, (nee Lazarevic) who was his best friend and devoted soul-mate. He is deeply loved by his children Paul, Heather (Tom), Timothy (Louisa) and Angela (Pablo). Cherished grandfather of Christina, Claire, Andre and Veronica, Paul Jewell was the beloved "little brother" to Yvonne (John) Speck. Paul was loved by his nephews Michael (Christine) and David Speck, and their children Noah, Lauren, Brandon and Danielle.
Paul always considered himself so fortunate to have received a spectacular education from St. Andrew's College, in Aurora. Paul then went on to graduate from pre-med sciences at Western University before marrying Desanka and then graduating from Toronto's Osgoode Hall Law School. He started his career at McCarthy, McCarthy before taking the leap into opening his own general practice in Elliott Lake, Ontario, where he started his family and made many great, life-long friends.
Probably Paul's passion for contributing to his democracy began at home with his father, but in Elliott Lake Paul distinguished himself when he gave Lester B. Pearson the run of his life by almost unseating this opposition leader in his own riding of Algoma East. Paul and Desanka continued to volunteer and make friends and work with many great Canadians, in both the Federal and Provincial Conservative parties, through the bad times and the good.
Throughout all this, Paul carved out a spectacular career in civil litigation. He took a case to the Supreme Court of Canada, which progressively interpreted our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He continued to create landmark decisions in personal injury cases. In 1974 he was granted the title of Queen's Counsel. In 1975 he secured the highest award obtained from a Jury in Canada. Since 1989, Paul maintained certification as a Specialist in Civil Litigation from the Law Society of Upper Canada. In 2001 he secured the highest award ever obtained in Canada for a Family Law Act claim for the death of a child.
Throughout, Paul contributed to his profession: he served for 15 years as part-time faculty of the Bar Admission course, teaching civil ligation to graduated attorneys. In both Canada and the United States he presented papers and conducted symposiums with organizations including: The Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Division; The Advocate's Society of Ontario; The American Trial Lawyers Association and The Ontario Trial Lawyers Association. Paul and Desanka made many new friends this way and had wonderful adventures where they worked to share important legal initiatives and practices with many good people in many far corners of the world.
Starting in childhood and going to the end, Paul was always a sportsman and a people person. Paul loved hockey as a child and young man and then later he took to tennis, was a dedicated player at The Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club, where the whole family enjoyed wonderful times together. Paul also loved his Albany Club where he shared many lunches and special events with friends.
The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES - NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) on Tuesday, September 29th, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at ST. CLEMENT'S CHURCH, Toronto (70 St. Clement's Avenue) on Wednesday, September 30th at 10:30 am. with a reception to follow.
If wished, flowers can be sent, or donations can be made, in Paul's name, to the charity of your choice or to Parkinson's research. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.
