JOHN MORDEN

Dad died peacefully at home on Wednesday January 21, 2026 at the age of 91, after a blessed, fulfilling and accomplished life. He shared that life with his devoted wife Joyce and daughters Mary (Vernon Fernandes) and Martha, grandchildren Carly, Johanna, Jeremy and Taylor and family, Gill Morden, Meg Morden, and Peter and Cathy Campbell. He was predeceased by his wife, Joyce; parents, Helen and The Honourable Kenneth G. Morden, and his sister Joan Morden. Dad attended University of Toronto, Trinity College, followed by the Faculty of Law, graduating in 1959. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Society, and became President, making lifelong friends and memories. In addition to practising law he taught in the Faculty of Law early in his career. Dad enjoyed travelling on his vacations, including summer visits to the cottage in Pointe au Baril. He had wonderful memories of adventures with friends he and mom travelled with over many years. There were many memorable family trips. He enjoyed his time with his grandchildren and had a keen interest in their individual pursuits, and appreciated each grandchild for their own gifts. Rosedale Presbyterian church and community played a significant role in dad's life. He was proud to be one of the longest standing members of this church where he sat in the same pew for over 60 years, and served as an elder. Dad enjoyed spending time at the Toronto Hunt Club, and while he was an "enthusiastic" golfer, he appreciated the camaraderie at the luncheons that followed a round, maybe even more than the games. Dad's career in law was highly notable and accomplished. He practised civil litigation at Day Wilson Campbell for 12 years, and was involved most notably in serving as Counsel on the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Civil Rights. In 1973 he was appointed to the High Court of Justice, Supreme Court of Ontario, at that time, the youngest ever appointed. In 1978 he was appointed to the Ontario Court of Appeal, where from 1990 to 1999 he held the position of Associate Chief Justice of Ontario. A hallmark of Dad's work was the recognition he received for having "consistent concern for public interest and the proper administration for justice." This philosophy resulted in his pivotal position in the reform of judicial procedure in Ontario through his involvement as a Member and Chair for numerous committees related to positive reform. He was also involved in work centred around combating antisemitism. Dad did not have a typical retirement. He joined Heenan Blaikie, focusing on mentoring, opinion work, and conducting arbitrations. During retirement, he also led an important and independent review of policing matters relating to Toronto's G20 Summit. With all of his accomplishments, one of our family's proudest moments was in 2015 when he was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada. When mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, dad continued to demonstrate understanding, empathy and acceptance. Throughout his own journey with Alzheimer's, he maintained both a positive attitude and a sense of humour. His gracious behaviour and gentlemanlike manner followed him well into the progression of his disease, and these characteristics are what we will always remember. Dad's caregivers were essential in providing the best possible care and love, and we are eternally grateful to Mafe and many other caregivers and nurses for the dedication, commitment, and long-standing loyalty they shared with the family. Please take a moment today to think about our dad, and consider the influence he perhaps had on your own life, as he had on so many from all walks of life. A visitation will be held at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville), Toronto, on Tuesday, February 3rd from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Rosedale Presbyterian Church, 129 Mount Pleasant Road, on Wednesday, February 4th at 11:00 a.m. The service will be livestreamed, the link for which will be accessible through the Humphrey Funeral Home website and the website for Rosedale Presbyterian Church on the day of the service. A reception will follow at the York Club (135 St. George St., Toronto), Dress code in effect: Business Attire. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to L'Arche Toronto, https://www.larchetoronto.org/donate . Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.