Douglas ROBERTSON
Douglas ROBERTSON
Obituary
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Douglas ROBERTSON Obituary
March 15, 1937 – December 26, 2014
It is with great sadness that the family of Douglas Robertson announces his death on Christmas night at the age of 77. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Honor MacDougall; his daughter Victoria (Marc Barbeau); son Christian (Juliana Zinger); daughter Eimile (Spiros Bouas) and eight grandchildren Mathilde, Henri, and Aymeric; Olivia, Alastair, and Oscar; Athena and Dimitri; and by his brother Angus W. Robertson. Born in Toronto and raised in Mexico, the Bahamas, and Montreal, Douglas studied law at McGill University and political science at the LSE. In 1964 he moved to Paris to run the foreign office of the law firm Phillips & Vineberg, where he later served as the firm's co-managing partner for 19 years. Throughout, he discreetly acted as trusted advisor to his many clients, whether multinationals or individuals, reminding young lawyers to be humble and that they would only fully grasp their calling when they had a client whose house was at stake. On his return to Montreal, Douglas became active in his community, first spearheading a group of concerned citizens who prevented the construction of a hydro substation in Westmount, then serving multiple terms on the city council, winning a Governor General's Award for Stayner Park, and acting as Chairman of the Board of his alma mater Selwyn House School. An accomplished sailor, Douglas also served as Commodore of the Prouts Neck Yacht Club in Maine, where he spent 25 happy summers. A force of nature known for his humour, trenchant opinions, and inexhaustible reserves of energy, Douglas was particularly fond of his country house in the Eastern Townships where he could indulge in his favourite pursuits: cooking, gardening, reading, and barking commands. His warmth, compassion, wit, pleasure in reciting literature and poetry, and generous laughter touched many lives. Douglas will be missed by his extended family, close friends, many nieces and nephews, and his cat Asperge. Funeral services will be private, and a memorial service will be announced at a later date. Donations can be made in his memory to the Royal Victoria Hospital.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
23 Entries
March 15, 2015
RIP, Mr Robertson. And thank you.
A Thousand Winds
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
Stephanie,
the Librarian
Lawrence H. Moquette
January 26, 2015
My dear Honor,
I have just read in our local paper of the loss of Douglas!
He was truly a fine man, respected by all!
Each time I see the "Carriage Jack" in Fulford, that he gave me, now has even more meaning!
May you and your children always cherish his unique manner and ways!
May he Rest In Peace
Fondly and with Respect
January 22, 2015
Dear Honor
I was very saddened to hear your wonderful Husband Douglas had passed away.What a huge loss for you & your Family.
My thought & prayers are with you during this difficult time
Affectionately . Brenda Currie
Sarah Kutulakos
January 13, 2015
Condolences to Douglas' family from the Canada China Business Council. As Executive Director from 2007 until now, Douglas was both a member of CCBC and a director on my board. He was a great man to work with, he taught me a lot, and we were sad to lose him from the board when he retired. But my best experience with Douglas came in 2011-2012 when he gave my husband and I the greatest gift -- a referral to his travel agent in Myanmar. We used her for a wonderful trip in January 2012, and I will never forget the experiences we had that were made possible by Douglas.
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Myrna Garnier
January 9, 2015
Dear Honor,
I was very surprised and sad to hear about the death of Douglas. Having worked with him for two years at Heenan Blaikie, Douglas has always been a gentleman that I respect and admire for his straightforward personality and his great sense of humor. My deepest condolences and sympathy to you and the rest of the family. Always take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
January 8, 2015
Dear Honor
Ashok and I were shocked and saddened to hear of Douglas's death.
We send you and your family our deepest condolences. Our thoughts are with you.
Love Sabina and Ashok Narang
herb auerbach
January 6, 2015
Dear Honor
It was with shock and sadness that we learned today of Douglas'untimely passing. I is hard for us to imagine this gregarious
personage and bon vivant silenced. He leaves us with an important lesson to "Carpe Diem". Our thoughts are with you. Please accept our deepest condolaences and convey them to your family.
With love and affection
Mary and Herb Auerbach
Vancouver BC
Steven Davis
January 2, 2015
Dear Honor,
You and your family have our deepest condolences.
Warm regards,
Steven and Lysiane
Diana and David Nicholson
January 2, 2015
Dear Honor, Ron and family,
David and I were shocked and distressed to learn of Douglas' death. I always was delighted to find him at any event as I knew that there would either be a deeply interesting conversation about any one of his pursuits, or wicked and witty commentary about the current goings-on.
Such a lovely, warm and intelligent man, he will be sorely missed by the many whose lives he touched.
We send you and all the family our heartfelt sympathy and thoughts.
Marsha Yelin
January 1, 2015
Dear Victoria,
I was so sorry to read about your father's death. Although I didn't know him well, on those social occasions, when we met in the Townships, he was always warm, engaging, outgoing, and the life of the party.
My sincere condolences and sympathy to you and your family.
Raouf Helal
January 1, 2015
To Honor and Family,
I was shocked and saddened to hear of your loss.
I did not have the chance to know Douglas very closely, however, I learned to appreciate Douglas generosity and devotion to his immediate and extended family, truly a man of all seasons.
May his memory be eternal.
Raouf Helal Isabelle's father.
Maria Turner
January 1, 2015
My sincere condolences go out to the whole Robertson Family.
We met only once, many years ago,at Ron and Rochelle's 1966 New*Year's*Eve”. How young,and full of life we were...May I quote,perhaps to ease the sorrow, Keats' immortal reverie -
"Can death be sleep,when life is but a dream,and scenes of bliss pass as a phantom by?The transient pleasures as a vision seem,and yet we think the greatest pain's to die.How strange it is that man on earth should roam,and lead a life of woe, but not forsake his rugged path; nor dare he view alone his future doom which is but to Awake."
Maria Turner
December 30, 2014
Dear Honor and family,
Unbelievable ... our shock and sadness at his sudden death has left us emotionally empty. What a wit, what a presence, what a host, what a friend, what an incredible human being.
Life will go on without him, but much less interesting than with him!
With heartfelt condolences to you all,
Heather and Don Johnston
Howard & Inger de Zylva
December 30, 2014
Deepest condolences to Douglas's family, sadly we never met, a distinguished distant member of our family (Ron & Rochelle), fond wishes from Australia. I am Rochelle's brother, love from our side of the family.
michael vineberg
December 30, 2014
truly a man for all seasons witty, shrewd and deliciously complicates
his love of life exceeded only by his love for Honor his children and grandchildren
December 30, 2014
Our condolences to the family. May you be spared further sorrow.
Gene & Sara Riesman
December 29, 2014
With memories from the AmericanHotel in Sharon Springs, you are in our thoughts Honor.
Antoine and Lucille Panet-Raymond
Ann & Brad Willauer
December 29, 2014
Brad and I send our best love to all the family. Our fellow Commodore will
Be sorely missed! I will never forget his calling us several years ago, out of the blue, a very funny conversation! Honor, we would love to hear from you. Hugs to you all!
Shahir Guindi
December 29, 2014
A great teacher, lawyer, friend, role model, and mentor. Look forward to meeting again Douglas! Most sincere condolences to the whole family!
Erol Sukan
December 29, 2014
Rest in peace uncle Douglas, a true gent, generous, witty with skills to match any cocktail barman. As we say on this side of the pond, a diamond geezer!
December 29, 2014
Sincerest condolences to Honor and the family
His wit and incredible intellect will be much missed
Carmen Robinson
Donna Toohey
December 29, 2014
Grief can be so hard , but your special memories help you cope. Remembering you and your loved ones Honor Victoria And Emily It was pleasure to have known your dad may he rest in peace
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