Morris MANNING

1940 - 2021

MORRIS MANNING, Q.C. Peacefully on June 20, 2021 in Toronto. Born in Montreal on November 6, 1940. Survived by his loving spouse, Theresa Simone. Dear father of Kate and Rachel Manning. Beloved Zaidie of Andrew and Emma Graham. Morris was predeceased by his loving mother, Betty; his father, Jack; and his dear sister, Eileen Anture. Beloved cousin, brother-in-law, uncle, nephew and great uncle, friend and family to many. His love was his family. His passion was the law. Morris Manning, Q.C. was one of Canada's preeminent lawyers. Called to the Ontario Bar in 1967, he started his career as Crown counsel with the Ministry of the Attorney General, Criminal Prosecutions Section. He then moved to Senior Counsel in the Civil Litigation and Constitutional Law Section at the Ministry of the Attorney General. He entered private practice in 1979. Quickly recognized for his exceptional contributions to the legal profession and the law, he was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1978. Throughout his 54-year career, he appeared before all levels of the courts in Canada, including on over 100 occasions in the Supreme Court of Canada. A formidable Barrister, master of oral and written advocacy, prolific author, lecturer, and creative legal thinker, he was a mentor to many, including to his spouse Theresa Simone and his daughter Kathryn (Kate) Manning. He also mentored numerous law students and lawyers, many of whom were later appointed judges in the Ontario Courts. For more than 50 years, Morris Manning broke new ground in the areas of criminal and constitutional litigation in both trial and appellate practice. He specialized in areas such as criminal, constitutional, international criminal, privacy, and administrative law. Driven and disciplined in his knowledge of the law, Morris Manning had a wealth of knowledge and expertise and a reputation of distinction and prominence in Canada. He was truly a luminary in his field. The Courtroom was his battlefield. He was a champion for unpopular legal causes and the rights of Canadians. Most notable was his representation of Drs. Morgentaler, Scott and Smoling, from trial through to the 1988 Supreme Court of Canada decision in which the Court declared the abortion section of the Criminal Code unconstitutional under the then new Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. That landmark case helped shape Charter jurisprudence. It is a legal accomplishment that is celebrated in video format at the Canadian Human Rights Museum in Winnipeg, Manitoba. A prolific legal writer, Morris Manning authored Canada's leading criminal law textbook, Manning & Mewett, which is in its 5th edition. He engaged the co-authorship of Allan Mewett to join him in creating this seminal text. His handwritten draft of the first edition is preserved. He also authored the first text on Wiretap Law in Canada and one of the first texts on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, "Rights, Freedoms and the Courts." Throughout his career, he also wrote an array of articles for prominent and well known, peer reviewed publications. His writings have been cited by the Supreme Court of Canada and by courts of every level throughout Canada numerous times. He helped to shape criminal and constitutional law in Canada. He also lectured in Canada and the United States on a variety of criminal and constitutional issues. His most impressive lecture was given at Yale University, Connecticut on constitutional law. Outside of the courtroom, Morris had numerous interests. He loved cameras and photography, cooking, music, travel, art, and motor-yachting. He was a connoisseur of scotch whiskey, loved to dance at simchas and parties and could give a toast at family celebrations like no one else. He loved all genres of music, from classical, his favourite being "Offenbach - Orpheus in the Underworld" - to Frank Sinatra. The song "I Did it My Way" could have been written for him. He loved movies, old and new, from Spaghetti Westerns to his favourite, The Godfather, which he said was not only a masterful movie, but a teaching tool for negotiations and tactics. He may also have seen every action movie that was made from Bruce Lee to Vin Diesel. He instilled in his children and grandchildren a lifelong love of Mickey Mouse and Disney movies. Morris was a kind, generous, fun, loving, outgoing, and respectful man. Always the eternal optimist, he was the person to whom family and friends turned for sage advice and wisdom. He was their calm in a storm. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends, but his memory will be cherished forever. His legal legacy will live on for years to come. Family service on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, at 10 a.m. Please see Benjamin's website (www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca) for livestream information, book of condolences, and Shiva details. Donations in Morris' memory may be made to The Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care or The Hospital for Sick Children.