Tribute Wall
In Memory of
James Gordon Coleman Q.C.
1936 - 2023
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Robin Campbell posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
I articled at Tory's in 1981-82, and went on to have a rewarding career there as a partner in the corporate department. As I was finishing my articles, I got talking to Gord about the trip I was planning to New York with my mother as soon as I was finished articling. It was to be my first visit to that legendary city, and Gord was excited to share with me his love of the city. The musical Cats was the new hit in town, and Gord said I had to go! I had no idea how that would be possible or how I would ever afford it even if I could secure tickets. Gord made it happen - he secured fabulous tickets for me and my mother - and we got to see the musical that the whole city was talking about. It was magical, and Gord's enthusiasm and delight in sharing his love for a special city will always be remembered.
My condolences to Gord's family. He was special.
Robin Campbell
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Bill L'Heureux posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Gord had a huge influence on my life, beginning with my articling interview at torys; like so many of the other memories shared here. We didn't talk much about law. a good thing because i had never taken a Securities Law course, his specialty. We talked about Catholicism, culture, Kilcoo Camp and Varsity Blues hockey. ( He was the ultimate recruiter.)
At the firm Gord encouraged me to join in the articling interviewing process and then appointed me his successor as Chair of that Committee, an appointment I was more proud of than any other I've ever received.
A great lawyer, and a wonderful human. RIP.
Condolences to the children and grandchildren.
Bill L'Heureux
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valerie laflamme posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Cher Bill, notre ami,
Geoff, Toma, Ben and Sebastien are very sad to hear about your dad's passing. He sounded like a really great man.
I never met him but I do know he raised an amazing son...
-)))
The Laflamme - Capes
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Claude Champoux posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
To Bill, Odette, Camille, Riley and family
In this sorrowful time, we would like to extend to you our heartfelt condolences. Our thoughts are with you.
Éliane, Julie and Claude
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Peter Jewett posted a condolence
Sunday, May 14, 2023
It is with great saddest that I heard of Gord's passing. Maybe one feels more deeply the departure of someone who always seemed so much alive. It is also difficult to absorb the passing on of someone who has had a major impact on one's own life. I first met Gord when he interviewed me for an articling job in 1971. I knew nothing about Torys but I was certainly intrigued by a job interview that consisted entirely of Gord telling me in great detail about how Rockefeller made his fortune. He had been reading about it the night before and that was what was on his mind. In the ensuing years I got used to this sort of thing which I recognized as just Gord's endless enthusiasm. He offered me the job which I accepted on the spot. This led to working with Gord more or less non-stop for the next five years. He was one of my key mentors in teaching me how to practice law and how to constantly question assumptions and accepted ways of doing things. I think it was his own broad range of interests that taught me how to bring different approaches to problems. We also had a long list of varied experiences along the way. I will never forget sitting beside the pool in a hotel on Tahiti for most of the night as we waited to catch a plane at five in the morning to New Zealand discussing the origins of Christianity. You kind of had to be there to understand! Like so many others, when I think of Gord, I think of the profound effect he had on my life. I will miss him deeply.
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Jim Turner posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Gord was a wonderful, enthusiast colleague at Tory’s. He and Jim Spence hired me as an articling student in 1975. Apparently, he was distracted on a US transaction and felt he had ended up short one student for that year. So, he sent a late letter to various law schools looking for a last student. I was very fortunate to have had that opportunity. I worked with Gord on a number of great transactions over the years. He was always so excited to get involved in a new deal. I remember one day he called me when I was staying at B&B in Quebec City because he wanted me for the most “challenging deal ever”. Not to get me to come back early but simply to confirm I would be part of the “dream team.” Hard to resist. I got to work with Gord and Gar Emerson on the Rogers bid for Maclean Hunter. One of the most high profile M&A deals ever. So, he taught me much of what I know about M&A. He was larger than life and one of the bright lights at Tory’s who helped make it the power house firm it became. Thanks for believing in me, Gord. My very heart felt condolences to the family. He will be fondly remembered.
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Richard Balfour posted a condolence
Monday, May 8, 2023
Gord was a larger than life character with boundless enthusiasm.. Those of us who were fortunate to be his colleague at Torys (which I joined in 1981) saw this in how he practised law, especially if we were on one of his deal teams, and he stimulated and inspired us continuously. And that enthusiasm carried over into everything else he did, especially in the arts. A very bright candle--to use one of Gord's metaphors--has gone out.
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Joan Jung posted a condolence
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Bill, Odette, Camille and Riley: My deepest condolences to you. It is so hard to lose a father/grandfather. May your memories of him keep you warm and strong.
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Daniel McNamara posted a condolence
Saturday, May 6, 2023
I met Gordon Coleman in the fall of 1971 when he interviewed me for an articling position at Tory's (my law school mentor had highly recommended that I article with Tory's). I had the opportunity to see Gord "in action" on various occasions from June 1972 to the fall of 1973 during my articles. It was clear to me that Gord was one of the "shining stars" of what was then Tory, Tory Deslauriers & Binnington. In early 1974, with some trepidation about leaving an undoubtedly dream opportunity to practise with Tory's, I decided to return to London ON to practise law and there I have remained but I never forgot Gord or my experience with Tory's. I've had the privilege of being a member of the adjunct faculty at Western Law since 2002, teaching Wills and the Law of Succession, and each year, without fail, in my introductory presentation, I would speak warmly of my experience at Tory's and, invariably, think about Gord and the other "Tory's shining stars" of that era. In February of 2023, as I began my course and mentioned Tory's, a woman who turns out to be Gord's granddaughter spoke with me. I was able to show her Gord's 1971 letter informing me that Tory's wanted me to article with them. Camille brought the letter to her grandfather, who sent me a lovely note through Camille. I've put Gord's letter with my other Tory mementos and I remain astonished that Camille deciding to take the Wills course this past term formed a "Tory's" reconnection 50 years after I left the firm.
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Patty Koval pledged to donate to St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation
Friday, May 5, 2023
St. Mikes took wonderful care of Gord. Many thanks to them for this.
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Pat Koval posted a condolence
Friday, May 5, 2023
In 1983 I was a first-year lawyer at Torys and very interested in mergers and acquisitions (M& A). Torys was prominent in this area, and Gord was already a legend. I mustered up my courage one afternoon, and after practising my speech a few times, I walked into Gord's office to tell him that I was interested in M& A and asked: Might it be possible for me to work on one of your deals? That launched my legal career but much more importantly began a friendship that lasted 40 years. Gord was a true "original"--larger than life, brilliant, kind and always generous. His incredible mind never ceased to be inquiring, and eager to experience and learn new things. Through all of those years, including in his last days, we shared many conversations about things that really interested both of us---art, art history, British, American and ancient history, archaeology, travel, and, always, books, old and new. Gord will be deeply, deeply missed.
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Dan Donnelly posted a condolence
Thursday, May 4, 2023
I worked with Gord as a junior lawyer at Torys. We were on a business trip in San Francisco and I still remember well our dinners together at the end of a busy day. Gord was interested and interesting - very much saw the Renaissance man. I learned much from him and he took the time to ensure that was the case. I was also inspired by him. His enthusiasm over a new deal was impressive! My condolences to his family.
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James Turner pledged to donate to St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Gord was a wonderful colleague, always effervescent, energetic and informed,
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Caroline Findlay posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Hi: When I was a young lawyer at Torys in the mid-80s, Gord was a huge mentor to me. I was privileged to work with him on several deals in the heady days of the 80s on Bay Street. I remember Gord called me into his office one day and said "you need to learn this new environmental law area -- it is going to be big. Let's send you to America!" So, right then and there, he called one of his contacts at Skadden, Arps in New York and asked if he could send me down there to learn what I needed to know about environmental law. That one phone call and Gord's incredible insight about the future of environmental law lead to a very exciting year for me living in Washington, DC, in 1990 and absorbing a lot from the pros at Skadden Arps.....and, well, this ended up launching my career in environmental law (no more securities law for me). Gord was a hoot to work with, had a great sense of humour and was always kind and supportive of me as an amazing mentor. I remember him with a big smile and fondly seeing this announcement. It seems he had a very long and enjoyable retirement (which I myself will soon be starting, almost 40 years after working with Gord). I am so sorry for your loss but wanted you to know what a kind mentor he was to me. Warmest regards, Caroline Findlay (Torys lawyer from 1986-1991)
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Kim lit a candle
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
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My sincerest condolences to James’s family. I cared for James at St Mikes and I can honestly say he was my favourite patient. We chatted about so many different things as well as watched many Leaf hockey games on my iPad. He will forever be in my heart as he was such a wonderful man and such an interesting person. Rest in Peace James. You will be missed by so many.
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The family of James Gordon Coleman Q.C. uploaded a photo
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
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The family of James Gordon Coleman Q.C. uploaded a photo
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
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The family of James Gordon Coleman Q.C. uploaded a photo
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
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John Butler posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
In the summer of 1976, I was a small town kid looking for an articling position but very skeptical of the large Toronto law firms. I had two morning interviews and found the firms I met to be stuffy, superior and, frankly, dull. My last interview, in the afternoon, was with Gord. I had essentially given up on the big firms, and I unloaded on Gord with my views on the faults of the big firms and how totally unsuited I was for them. He listened graciously and quietly. An offer letter was delivered to Waterloo the next day. He knew his firm, and he had also figured me out. He changed my life, for which I will always be grateful. A wonderful man.
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The family of James Gordon Coleman Q.C. uploaded a photo
Monday, May 1, 2023
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The family of James Gordon Coleman Q.C. uploaded a photo
Monday, May 1, 2023
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The family of James Gordon Coleman Q.C. uploaded a photo
Monday, May 1, 2023
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