Obituary of Granville Patrick Harcourt Vernon

VERNON, G. Patrick H. (Hons. B.A., LL.B, Q.C., Doctor of Sacred Letters) On Wednesday, August 3, 2005 Patrick passed away at home, in the loving arms of his family, after a courageous 13-year battle with cancer. He was a survivor of prostate cancer owing to early detection and treatment. Patrick will be greatly missed by his family, Deborah Smith Vernon, his wife of fifty years, children Catherine Harcourt Martin, Geoffrey William Harcourt Vernon, Susan Elizabeth Vernon Pellerin, their spouses/partners Robert Martin, Johnny Bryan, and Denis Pellerin, and grandchildren Richard, Taylor and Scott Martin, Caitlin and Julia Vernon, and Sarah and Lucie Pellerin. Born to Arthur Arundel Harcourt Vernon and Margaret Cayley Harcourt Vernon on November 15, 1926, Patrick attended Jarvis Collegiate, Trinity College School, Trinity College, and Osgoode Hall Law School, becoming a corporate lawyer and a partner at McCarthy T�trault. In 1981 Patrick was called to the Bar of Alberta, and took up residence in Calgary. He became the managing partner of a new law firm, Black & Company, which ultimately became part of McCarthy T�trault, the national law firm. Patrick was the consummate community service advocate and volunteered his time and talents to the organizations in which he believed. He was a Life Governor of Trinity College School, a volunteer worker and chief fundraiser for the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, and served on a number of charitable foundations and boards. In 1995 he was appointed for four years to the Ontario Securities Commission, and from 2001 to the present, served as a director of the Ontario Pension Board. In September 2004, Patrick received the honorary degree, Doctor of Sacred Letters at Trinity College, Toronto, in recognition of his service to the School, the Church and the community. An avid historian, Patrick published two books, The Bells of Old York, which outlines the history of the change-ringing bells, the installation of which he co-ordinated, at The Cathedral Church of St. James, and Ladywood, a compilation of diaries relating to the 100-year history of the Vernon summer residence on Lake Simcoe. Patrick enjoyed travelling, fishing, skiing, playing billiards, card games and tennis with family and friends. He had conservation and other projects on the go at his and Debby�s beloved "Hilltop House� near Uxbridge, Ontario, and was always happy to spend "grandfather time� with his seven grandchildren. A service to celebrate Patrick�s life will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, August 11, 2005 at THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. JAMES, 65 Church Street (at King St. E.). The family wishes to thank Dr. Douglas Robertson, the doctors and caregivers at Princess Margaret Hospital, the Toronto General Hospital, Integracare, and the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation or giving your personal time to the charity of your choice.