Douglas LISSAMAN

The Honourable Douglas Lissaman
February 29th, 1932 to September 12, 2015


It is deep with sadness that the family announces the sudden passing of the Honourable Douglas Lissaman. Douglas passed away peacefully in the company of his children at St. Michael's Hospital after suffering a heart attack. Predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Alice Lissaman. Loving husband of Frances Mary Lissaman (deceased). Survived by his children, Mary and Tom (Joanna Bancroft). Loving 'Papa' to Jenna and William Adams; Bronwyn, Tegan and Ryan (deceased) Lissaman. Predeceased by his older brothers, Kenneth (Sue) and Gordon (Lorna). Older brother of Joan Peckham (Barrie). Supportive uncle and mentor to Geoffrey, Julie and Holly, David and Hugh, Adrian and Helen. Loving companion to his Black Labrador 'Lady Mallory.' Douglas's father was a banker who worked for Barclays Bank in London. In 1929, his father was asked to go to Canada to open banks in Montreal and Toronto. Douglas was born on Golfdale Rd. in Toronto and was proud to be a leap year baby. The family moved back to England in 1935. On the eve of the Second World War the family moved to Caterham in Surrey. Douglas attended Caterham School from 1940-1950. Douglas took a great interest in his old school. He was the President of the Old Caterhamians' Association for a year and remained a Foundation Member of Caterham School at the time of his death. Douglas joined Beecher Bryant and Co. where he qualified as an English Solicitor at age 23 in 1955. Douglas immigrated to Toronto in 1957. He worked as solicitor for Sidney Clunis in Chatham and was called to the bar in 1959. In Toronto, he joined Singer, Keyfetz. In 1961, he met and married Frances Wood at Bloor Street United Church. He became a QC in 1968 and formed his own law firm with his dear friend Irwin Cass, which later merged and became the firm of Atlin, Goldenberg, Cass, Cohen, Lissaman and Armel. Douglas was primarily a litigator who practiced in all areas of civil litigation. He served on the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, was President of the John Howard Society and was a member of the Advocates Society. He was a prolific fundraiser and political organizer for the Progressive Conservative Party and proudly described himself as a 'Red Tory.' Others described him as 'The Original Rosedale Bagman.' On December 3, 1985, Douglas was appointed to the County Court of Ontario (now the Superior Court of Justice). During his time on the Bench, Douglas worked tirelessly to resolve cases before they went to trial and more often than not, he accomplished that goal. He also sat through many long civil trials. One of the cases he was particularly fascinated by was Ontario v. Mar-Dive Corp., 1996 8103 (ON SC) about the salvage rights to an American ship that sank and was abandoned in Canadian waters in 1852. In 2002, he became the Chairman of the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario, and chaired 22 hearings in 16 cities across Ontario during that year. The Commission redrew Ontario's electoral districts for Elections Canada. Boundaries were effective from 2004 until this coming (2015) election. He was a wonderful colleague and mentor to many on the Bench and to many others in the legal community. Douglas retired from the Bench on October 1, 2006. He then had a successful career in the private sector as a mediator. After his wife, Fran, passed in January of 2010, Douglas moved to Kensington Apartments. The family would like to thank the residents and staff of 21 Dale, the congregation of Rosedale United Church and all his friends and family who provided unconditional friendship and support to our father. The family would also like to thank Dr. John Graham and Dr. William Watson of St. Michael's Hospital for their kindness and compassion. A memorial service will be held at Rosedale United Church, September 25th, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu flowers, donations can be made to The John Howard Society of Canada, 809 Blackburn Mews, Kingston, Ontario, K7P 2N6 or go to Donate Now at www.Johnhoward.ca.