Obituary of John Tory

JOHN ARNOLD TORY Q.C. Peacefully in Florida, with his family at his side, on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the age of 81, following a sudden stroke. He led an exemplary life. His family was everything to him, starting with Liz, his beloved wife of 58 years, sister Virginia Denton and twin brother Jim, children John (Barbara), Jennifer, Jeffrey (Sarah) and Michael (Jennifer), grandchildren John (Melanie), Christopher, Susan and George Tory, Elizabeth and Alexandra Mingay, Jessica, Nicholas, Annabel, Olivia and Robin Tory, Max, Adam, Felix and Griffin Tory and great-grandchildren Jack and Isabel Tory. While he was a very modest person, he had a remarkable career in law and business. With a small group which included father J.S.D. Tory and very special brother Jim, he helped to found what is today one of Canada's leading law firms, Torys LLP. As a partner, and up to the present as a client and friend, he mentored dozens of young lawyers, always focused on the central importance of integrity, in law and in life. He went on to work at the side of the late Lord Thomson of Fleet, the late Kenneth Thomson and now David Thomson and the current generation of the Thomson family helping to build one of Canada's great multinational companies, our star in the information age. He also had the privilege of being a friend and trusted advisor to the late Ted Rogers and the Rogers family. Many other people and corporations benefitted from his wise counsel. It was in that role as trusted advisor that he really shone. People from all walks of life sought his advice and he always had time to offer it. He was an extraordinarily gentle man, always treating everyone the same, no matter who they were. He always put others ahead of himself. The foundation of his advice on any subject was the same—a set of values rooted in excellence, integrity and humanity. Together with Liz, he also set an example when it came to giving back to the community with generous support of all kinds to causes including Sunnybrook Hospital, the AGO and CAMH. But his greatest joy was his family. Nothing surpassed golf with kids and grandkids, memorable family ski trips or time spent in Florida or travelling with Liz. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME - A.W. MILES CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 7. Funeral Service will be held in METROPOLITAN UNITED CHURCH, 56 Queen Street East on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Private interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery will be held on Saturday. If desired, donations made to the Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto M4N 3M5 or the Lost Tree Foundation, 11555 Lost Tree Way, North Palm Beach, Florida 33408 would be appreciated. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.