Ted MATLOW

1940 - 2023

THE HONOURABLE PAUL THEODORE 'TED' MATLOW 1940 - 2023 The Honourable Paul Theodore 'Ted' Matlow, retired Judge of the Superior Court of Justice, passed away peacefully in Toronto on July 9, 2023, at the age of 83, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2018. Ted is survived by his children, Rachel and Josh (Melissa); granddaughter, Molly; and beloved partner, Barbara MacKay Ward. He was predeceased by his ex-wife and dear friend, Elaine Mitchell. Born in Kitchener, Ted obtained his B.Comm in 1962 and his LLB in 1965 from the University of Toronto. As a law student, he founded the Canadian Society for the Abolition of the Death Penalty in 1963, playing a pivotal role in ending capital punishment. Called to the Ontario Bar in 1967, Ted embarked on a successful career in civil litigation. His passion for the study of law led him to earn an L.L.M. from York University in 1979. In 1981, Ted fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a judge, initially serving on the District Court of Ontario, and later making a significant impact as a distinguished member of the Superior Court of Justice from 1990 to 2015. Ted's commitment to justice and human rights extended beyond the courtroom. He was a member of the Canadian Jewish Congress, where he co-chaired the Soviet Jewry Committee from 1989 to 1992. Ted's dedication to the cause was demonstrated through multiple trips to the former Soviet Union in the 1980s, where he brought vital medication to Jewish Refuseniks. As a federal judge, Ted presided over numerous high-profile fraud cases and was praised in the media for going to great lengths to expose suspected police corruption in his courtroom. Ted genuinely cherished his role on the bench, often remarking that he felt fortunate to be able to earn his living by doing something that he would gladly do without being paid. Ted's contributions extended to his role as the editor-in-chief of the national law journal, The Advocates' Quarterly, which he served for more than four decades (1977-2020). Beyond his professional accomplishments, Ted was known for his warm, fun-loving demeanor, unwavering moral compass and enthusiasm for life. He was a founding member of the York Racquets Club, where he found joy in playing tennis, his second favourite court to serve on. Ted also had a deep appreciation for the arts, regularly attending movies, operas and theatre productions. A passionate advocate for animal rights, he was a longtime vegetarian. In his leisure time, Ted delighted in riding his bike, travelling, indulging in ice cream, and watching the Blue Jays and Maple Leafs. Ted's family and friends will forever cherish his memory as an intelligent, funny, principled, kind, loving, honest, reliable, sweet, supportive, young-at-heart, and utterly adorable individual. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Pardes Shalom cemetery, 10953 Dufferin Street, Vaughan, Ontario. If so desired, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society or a charity of one's choice.