Obituary of Basil Richard Cheeseman

Basil Richard Cheeseman
October 19, 1927 to August 3, 2021

Late evening on August 3, 2021 in Toronto, Basil Cheeseman passed away in his sleep. He survived his adored wife Doreen Shaker and brother Norval. Basil is remembered by his brother Ronald and children Vanessa (Angus Parks), Noel (Brenda Parsons), Stephen (Nancy Ellis) and Janine (David Lewis) and six grandchildren. In Canada and south of the border he was affectionately known as Uncle Bas.

Basil was a partner and counsel at McCarthy Tetrault since returning to his birth town Toronto in 1966 from Calgary. Regarded as a superb corporate lawyer, he was also recognized as a fine mentor to many young lawyers.

For two decades he was a weekend gentleman farmer in Omemee raising Simmental cattle. In addition to law, his passions were jazz, history, forestry and fishing. Master of appreciating the here and now, he lived a quiet, generous, kind life to the end.

Given the pandemic, the family is having a small private service at this time. One of Basil’s favourite charities is Covenant House for those who wish to make a donation.