JOHN DAWSON "JACK" GROUND

June 20, 1932 – November 25, 2024 In his own home, on his own terms, of natural causes, which is exactly how he would have wanted it. Predeceased by his parents, William and Mildred Ground; his sister, Dorothy; and his wife, Helen. Jack had a long and distinguished career as a lawyer, bencher, judge, and mediator/arbitrator. He was also a valued mentor. He was a father, husband, grandfather, and friend. And he loved dogs. Man, did he love dogs, and had many great ones. Jack was born in North Toronto. His father died when Jack was fourteen, and he was raised by a stalwart single mother; a working woman who took in boarders. A graduate of Lawrence Park Collegiate, Jack went to Victoria College (U of T), where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Society ("It's NOT," he would sniff, "a fraternity. It's a society.") He then went on to U of T Law, and never tired of telling his children about the prizes he won there. He articled, and became a partner at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt, taught corporate law at U of T, became a QC (as it then was, and which he thought anachronistic) and was elected as a Bencher of the Law Society for several terms. In 1991, he was appointed as a judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (as it became) where he served mainly on the Commercial List. After he was forced to retire from the court at 75 – much to his chagrin, and despite writing an earlier decision that mandatory retirement for judges was entirely constitutional – he became sought-after for Alternative Dispute Resolution. He and Helen Taylor married in 1959, and had three children: Derek (Gail Armstrong), Alison, and Colin (Dara Cowper). He was "Papa" to Wyatt, Katharine, and Lara Ground; and Uncle Jack to Catherine Madden, Brian Peppiatt, Carol Fernheimer and their children. His much younger cousin, Dianne Dawson, and her late parents, and Helen's niece, Pam Wilton and family, were very important to him. Beau – the goldendoodle – was, however, his clear favourite, and most honoured member of the family. Jack and Helen loved their communities at Alexandra Boulevard, Nottawaga Beach, 21 Dale, and the "Farm" at Cannington; the latter where friends and family enjoyed his legendary Bloody Caesars, and pretended to enjoy his nature walks. Jack's mind was sharp until the end, even as his body started to fail him. He did not like getting old. He had a remarkable ability to retain friendships, and to make new ones. He had a long and accomplished life. Although many will miss him, there is little about which to be sad, and much to celebrate. The family is grateful to Ethel Ramos, Anjellie (Jill) Landayan, Dale Laville, Sandy Moore, Bob Browne, and Sharon Ralph for all their help and support. Jack did not want a funeral or memorial. A celebration of life will be held in the spring. Contributions in memory of The Honourable John "Jack" Dawson Ground may be made to Toronto Humane Society's Pet Food Bank online at: https://torontohumanesociety.donorsupport.co/-/NHUEEAME?member=SNNWWMKR or by mail after the disruption to: Toronto Humane Society, 11 River St., Toronto, ON M5A 4C2.