Gerald Le Dain

LE DAIN, Gerald Eric C.C., Q.C., B.C.L., D. de lUniv., D.C.L., LL.D. Passed away peacefully on December 18, 2007 at the age of 83. Beloved husband of Cynthia Le Dain (deceased), and dearest father to Jacqueline (deceased), Catherine (deceased), Barbara (David Muir), Caroline (Clifford Burgess), Eric (Christie Wiltshire), and Jennifer (Philip Symmonds). Cherished grandfather to Andrew, Katie, Alison, Ian, Matthew, Colin, Michael, Mark, Adam, David and Molly. We will miss you dearly, and will hear the echoes of your laughter at the family cottage, the source of so many happy memories. Gerald Le Dain was born in Montreal in 1924, son of Eric Le Dain and Antoinette Whithard. He attended McGill University briefly prior to volunteering, at the age of 18, to serve with the Canadian Army in World War II from 1943 to 1946, as a Gunner with the 7th Medium Regt., R.C.A., seeing action in Holland and Germany in 1945. In 1946, he attended Khaki University in England where in a fateful debate he met his wife of 48 years, Cynthia Emily Roy. After returning to Canada in 1946, he obtained a B.C.L. degree from McGill University, winning the Gold Medal. He pursued his studies in France, obtaining a Docteur de l'Universit from the Universit de Lyon. He was called to the Bar of Quebec in 1949; becoming a Q.C. in 1961. During the 1950s and 1960s, Gerald practised law in Montreal, with Walker Martineau, and as a partner in the firm of Riel, Le Dain, Bissonnette, Vermette & Ryan where he was counsel to the Attorney General of Quebec in constitutional cases, and in the legal department of the Canadian International Paper Co. For eight years during this period he was a professor of law at McGill University. In 1967, he became dean of Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. From 1969 to 1973, he chaired the Commission of Inquiry into the Non-Medical Use of Drugs. Two years later, he was appointed to the Federal Court of Appeal. He was elevated to the Supreme Court of Canada in 1984. He served on the Supreme Court for four years and retired in 1988. He was made a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1989. Gerald Le Dain lived life with exuberance and passion, with integrity and a strong sense of responsibility, and with a profound commitment to Canada. The warmth of his personality, the power of his intellect, and his ability to bring clarity to complex issues enriched us all. Friends are invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street on Thursday, December 27, 2007 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.. The funeral will be held at Christ Church Cathedral, 439 Queen Street, Ottawa , on Friday, December 28, 2007 at 2:00 p.m.