JUDGE RONALD ST. JOHN MACDONALD

JUDGE RONALD ST. JOHN MACDONALD C.C., Q.C., LL.M, LL.D - 78 Halifax, passed away peacefully September 7, 2006, in Halifax. Born in Montreal, he was the only son of Colonel R. St. J. Macdonald, M.D. F.R.S.I., and Elizabeth Marie Smith. He was a judge at the European Court of Human Rights, Strasbourg, and Senior Scholar in Residence, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto. He graduated from St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish (B.A. 1949), Dalhousie Law School (LL.B. 1952), London University (LL.M. 1954), and Harvard Law School (LL.M. 1955). Judge Macdonald served as Lecturer in Law, Osgood Hall 1955-57, Professor 1957-59; assistant editor of Ontario Reports and Ontario Weekly Notes 1956-57; Professor of Law, University of Western Ontario, 195961; Professor of Law, University of Toronto, 1961-67; Dean of Law 1967-72; Dean of Law, Dalhousie University 1972-79, Professor of International Law 1979-90. He was the only non-European judge of the European Court of Human Rights, Strasbourg 1980-98, member Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague 1984; Honourary Professor in the Law Department Peking University 1986-98, World Academy of Arts and Science 1983-86. He became an officer, Order of Canada, 1984, and Companion of the Order of Canada 2000; Gold Medal, Founding President of the Canadian Council International Law 1988; read law with McInnes, MacQuarrie & Cooper, Halifax; called to the Bar of Nova Scotia and of Ontario 1956; Consultant, Department of External Affairs, Prime Minister's Office (Ottawa) and Republic of Cyprus (1974-78); Canadian Representative to United Nations General Assembly 1965, 1966, 1968, 1977, 1990; Advisor, American Law Institute; author of articles and essays in numerous professional journals and books; Sub-Lieut. R.C.N.V.R.(R), discharged 1946, member Institute of International Law (Geneva); Board of Governors, African Society Of International Law; British Institute of International Law; Canadian Bar Association; Canadian Institute International Affairs; Law Society Upper Canada; London Institute World Affairs; International Law Association, LL.D. McGill 1988, LL.D. Dalhousie 1991 and LL.D. Carleton. A vigorous, charming, witty, gregarious Macdonald was as unlike the usual stereotype of a judge of international law as possible. He was a renowned scholar, notable for his definitive work on the rule of law in international relations. Described as a 'citizen of the world', he was recognized for his profound commitment to the universal protection of human rights. He is survived by loving sisters, Dr. Mairi Macdonald, Halifax; Dr. Elizabeth Podnieks, Toronto; nephew, Andrew Podnieks, Toronto; niece, Dr. Liz (Ian R. Smith) Podnieks, Toronto; grandnephew, Zackary Podnieks Smith, Toronto; grandniece, Emily Macdonald Smith, Toronto. A mass of thanksgiving will be held in St. Mary's Church, Lismore, Pictou Co., and a memorial will be held in Halifax at a later date.