HUGH ROBERT COWAN

Father, Grandfather, Husband, Brother, Sailor, Friend. The Cowan Family sadly announce the death, at age 80, of Hugh Cowan, on July 21, 2025, after a short battle with cancer. While unexpected, Hugh's death was quick and painless, and occurred after visiting with his three grown sons one final time. Born in Halifax on June 6, 1945, the second son of Gordon and Jean Cowan, Hugh was a keen sailor in Halifax and Chester, competing in the Halifax to Marblehead and Halifax to Bermuda races many times, and covering the America's Cup for the Halifax Chronicle. Hugh graduated from Dalhousie University in 1966, Dalhousie Law School in 1969, and Southern Methodist University with a Master of Laws in 1970 before practicing law for nearly 40 years. This included with Stewart MacKeen & Covert in Halifax, Royal Bank in Montreal and finally Gowlings in Ottawa for more than 30 years, where he eventually became Managing Partner. Hugh married his childhood sweetheart, Judy (Hattie), in 1968, and they enjoyed 55 years together in Halifax, Dallas, Montreal, Ottawa and on Wolfe Island. Together they raised three boys: Chris (Oakville, Ontario) (Lisa), Mike (Calgary, Alberta) (Joey), and Tim (Bowness-on-Windermere, UK) (Michelle). Hugh is also survived by ten grandchildren, Stephanie, Greg, Megan, Emily, Will, Claire, Scott, Henry, Finn and Archie; as well as his older brother, Jim; younger sister, Joan (Backman), and their families. Hugh passed his passion for sailing onto the family, who spent many wonderful summers together sailing in the 1000 Islands out of Trident Yacht Club. Later, this evolved into a cottage on Wolfe Island commencing in 1994. Judy and Hugh retired full-time to the Island in 2009 and Hugh continued to reside there until late 2024. Both Judy and Hugh were active in the Wolfe Island United Church and other island community activities, and Hugh was a long-serving volunteer at CORK in Kingston. Hugh's last months were spent in the Commodore's Cove community in Kingston. Cremation has taken place, and there will be a celebration of life later this summer. Should anyone feel that a donation in Hugh's memory would be appropriate, the family would suggest that consideration be given to Wolfe Island United Church (52 Victoria Street, Wolfe Island, Ontario K0H 2Y0) or the Canadian Cancer Society. The family also wishes to thank the oncology and palliative care staff at the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario in Kingston, led by Dr. Timothy Owen, Dr. Sofia Genta, Dr. Craig Goldie and their teams, including Nurse Erin Maillet, for their expert care as well as the KGH emergency and in patient care teams.