Brian FLOOD

1943 - 2023

BRIAN MICHAEL FLOOD 1943 - 2023 Brian died peacefully, at St. Michael's Hospital, on June 8th, surrounded by family. He was deeply loved by his wife of 55 years, Patricia (Doohan); his sons, Michael (Jill Burgin) and Christopher (Kelly McRobie); and his grandchildren, Sam, Sarah, Charlotte, Alex and Carey. He was predeceased by his big sister, Patricia (the other Pat Flood). We are very grateful for all the lessons we learned from Brian and from reflecting on the way he lived his life. He had remarkable strength of character, commitment, and genuine kindness. He had an exceptional ability to engage, understand and support people of all ages and from all walks of life. He navigated challenges with quiet determination, generosity and humour. He has provided us with a clear and inspirational path to follow which will endure. Brian was raised in London, Ontario, by his parents, Norbert and Marjorie (Queenan) Flood, with a lot of help from the broader Flood family after the death of his mother when he was a teenager. He found focus and motivation through sports, particularly when he had a tennis racquet in his (left) hand. He was one of the early success stories from a participation-oriented tennis program established by Jack Fairs on London's public tennis courts, a program that produced some of Canada's best players of the 1960s. He won a scholarship to play at the University of Michigan, ultimately becoming captain of the 1965 Big Ten Championship team (Go Blue!). His time in Ann Arbor, and with Canadian tennis in general, proved to be a pivotal experience in his life; most importantly, he gained a community and group of friends that became a constant and enduring source of support, comfort and fun for Brian, and Brian for them, throughout his life. He continued his studies at the University of Western Ontario, graduating with a law degree, and later from Osgoode Hall with a Masters of Law. In his early years at Western, he re-connected with Patricia Doohan, a sophomore student, whom he first met many years earlier when Pat's parents asked if young Brian would walk their daughter to school at St. Martin's in South London. It was the start of a true love story and partnership in life that lasted 55 years. Together, they moved to Toronto in 1968 when he joined Kilgour, World, a small law firm that allowed Brian to learn all aspects of the law and leadership from wonderful mentors. He joined Torys in 1981, where he spent the remainder of his career as an exceptional corporate lawyer, ultimately being elected Chair of the firm's Executive Committee by his partners. He loved his partners and colleagues at Torys, especially a group of younger lawyers known as the 'Sons and Daughters of Brian.' Brian and Pat had a lot of fun getting to know many of his Torys friends, clients and their families outside of work, many of whom remained close to him to the end. Outside of work and family, Brian quietly battled the challenges of kidney disease, the same condition that took the life of his mother, which included 6 years of dialysis. Despite the health challenges he faced, we never heard a complaint. In 2000, he was given what he considered a second chance at life through the gift of a successful kidney transplant performed by an outstanding team of professionals from the St. Michael Hospital Nephrology Department, led by Dr. Jeffrey Zaltzman. He was forever grateful to the anonymous donor and his or her family. As inaugural Chair of the Trillium Gift of Life Network, Brian drove the concept, vision and early establishment of a world-class organization that has raised awareness of the importance of organ donation, improved access to organ transplants in Ontario, and given hope to others facing similar challenges. He was also a proud Chair of Covenant House Toronto. Brian made an impact in every community he was a part of. A special thank you to the Oncology Department, including the doctors, nurses and other staff on the 8th floor of the Peter Gilgan Tower, at St. Michael's Hospital, for their excellent and compassionate care over the past weeks and months. A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, June 15th, at 10 a.m. at St. Basil's Church, 50 St. Joseph Street, with a Reception to follow at The Toronto Lawn Tennis Club from 12:30-3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Michael's Hospital Foundation. For additional funeral updates please consult www.humphreymiles.com