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LEONARD AUSTIN BRAITHWAITE, C.M., O.Ont., Q.C. Passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 in his 88th year. Survived by his loving sons Roger and David. Proud uncle to Karen, Geraldine, Carol, Phillip, Warren, Doug, Celeste and Denise. Mr. Braithwaite was one of Toronto's leading citizens. He distinguished himself both in his profession of Law and in his Community service on many levels of government and through his sponsorship of young boys and girls sports teams (Braithwaite Legal Eagles). His contributions to his Community and to Canada have opened doors for many Minority Canadians. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1971, inducted into the Order of Canada as a Member in 1997 and invested with the Order of Ontario in 2005. Mr. B., as he was affectionately called, was born in Toronto in 1923 to West Indian immigrant parents, Reginald and Wilhelmina (Cox) and raised in the Kensington Market area of Toronto during the Great Depression. After graduating from Harbord Collegiate in Toronto, in 1943, he enlisted in the R.C.A.F. during World War II, serving with the No. 6 Bomber Command in Yorkshire, England. After the War, he returned to Toronto where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Honours) from the University of Toronto (1950). Not finished with his studies, he went on to Harvard Business School, where he completed his Master in Business Administration (1952). He returned to Toronto, and later graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School (1958), where he was a Gold Key winner and president of the student body that year. Mr. Braithwaite became active in local and regional government affairs, being the first Black person to be elected to the Etobicoke Board of Education (1960 - 1962), and to the Etobicoke City Council, as an Alderman (1962 - 1964). When the Provincial Riding of Etobicoke was created in 1963, Mr. Braithwaite was elected to the Ontario Provincial Legislature as its first M.P.P. At that time, he also became the first Black person to be elected to a Parliament anywhere in Canada. He served as an M.P.P. from 1963 to 1975. Following, he served six years as an Etobicoke Controller and as a Member of Metro Council. In 1964, during his maiden speech at Queen's Park, he spoke out about the fact that some rural Coloured-only schools in Ontario were still legally segregating Black children. His work led to the abolishment of the 114 year old Ontario Law permitting such segregation. Further, while sitting at Queen's Park, he fought for gender equality. In 1966, he questioned the Ontario Legislature as to why Student Pages working at Queen's Park were all Male. As a result, Female and Male Pages are now appointed by the Legislature. In 1999, Mr. Braithwaite was the first Black Lawyer elected by a Province-Wide vote to the Governing Council (Bencher) of the Law Society of Upper Canada. In June 2000, Mr. Braithwaite introduced the Most Reverend Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, to the Benchers at the Benchers entrance to Osgoode Hall. It was here where Archbishop Tutu was presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree. Mr. Braithwaite was a founding member of Etobicoke General Hospital's Board of Governors, and also served as a member of the Board of Governors of The Canadian National Exhibition. During his political and professional career, Mr. Braithwaite also was a member of countless associations such as The Law Society of Upper Canada; The Metropolitan Toronto Law Association; The Canadian Association of Black Lawyers; The Criminal Lawyers Association; The Black Business and Professional Association (founding member); Alpha Phi Alpha; Phi Delta Phi, and The Harvard Club. He was the recipient of numerous awards during the latter part of his life. In 2002, he received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for contributions to Canada. In that same year, he received the Harry Jerome Award for Professional Excellence in the Practice of Law. In 2003, he travelled to Edmonton, Alberta, to receive the Cornwall-Miller Founder's Award. In 2006, he received the Community Builder Award from Tropicana Community Services. Most recently, he received the 2011 William P. Hubbard Race Relations Award from the City of Toronto and the 2012 Rose Fortune Award for strength of character and firm resolve from the Ontario Black History Society. He was a man who helped to effect positive social and political change, especially for minority groups. His leadership and common sense have helped to combat racism and injustice and his actions have opened doors for others, motivating them to become more involved in finding solutions to community problems. He was an outstanding example of hope for a better future, and who contributed to public life with dedication, dignity and integrity. He was indeed a pioneer and will truly be missed. Up until the time of his death, Mr. Braithwaite practiced Law in Etobicoke. A career that spanned more than 53 years. Many thanks to the staff at St. Joseph's Health Centre in Toronto. As expressions of sympathy, the family requests donations be made to the Salvation Army. A memorial service will be held on April 21st, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthias' Anglican Church, 1428 Royal York Road, Etobicoke, Ontario. A reception will follow.
Published in the Toronto Star on April 5, 2012
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