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Neil ABBOTT Obituary
Memories and Condolences
for Neil ABBOTT
22 Entries
David Hamilton
March 13, 2025
Neil was a former partner of mine at Gowlings and I just recently learned of his passing. Neil was a trusted colleague and always helpful to me when I needed his expertise in my practice. My sincere condolences to his family members.
David Hamilton
Sandra Kleinfeld
November 23, 2021
I am so sorry to hear of Neil's passing. He was so generous with this time and his brilliance, and provided enormous help to me and my partner Tucker, and Tucker's family. He spoke so lovingly of his family and was so proud of his daughters. Condolences to Mary, Emily and Megan.
Julian and Mary Fisher
October 19, 2021
Neil was a supporter of music, and we are saddened to hear that he has passed. Our most sincere condolences.
Candace Whitney
October 8, 2021
My best friend for 15 years. The world was a much better place with you in it. The most intelligent person I have ever met. Brilliant lawyer. Generous heart. Mentor to countless people. Talented musician. World traveller. I learned so much from you. I will miss communicating with you almost every day. I am thankful that my last words to you were “love you buddy” and that I had the honour of carrying you to your final resting place. There will be a big void in my life. I have decided to frame one of your travel pictures and hang it on a wall in our house in your honour.
Gary Van Domelen
October 4, 2021
I am very sorry to learn of Neil's passing. Having worked with him many times over the years I know that he was no only an outstanding lawyer but also a very genuinely kind and decent man who cared deeply for those he worked with and for. Despite his vey busy calendar and desktop he always found time to ask me about my family, work and how we were all addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic. While there are many good lawyers Neil was an exceptional attorney and a very ethical and good person. We who worked with him will miss him deeply.
Fiona Bennett
October 1, 2021
Although Neil and I did not know each other he was so kind as to help me when I faced a cancer diagnosis myself. A mutual friend reached out on my behalf and Neil immediately helped connect me to his doctor. What a kind man to do this for a stranger! I will always be grateful for that support and I will pay it forward. Thank you Neil and God bless you.
Fiona Bennett
Peter Bawden
September 30, 2021
Neil Abbott was my best friend from grade 1 to grade 3 at Park Lane Public School. I remember that we went to see Monty Python and the Holy Grail for his birthday party in grade 2 and laughed like maniacs about it for months afterwards. I cried and cried the day that Neil announced that he was leaving the school to go to UCC.
Neil was funny, smart and irreverent, even at the age of 8. We lost touch after he left the school and I always regretted it, imagining that somehow we would meet up again when the hard parts of life were over and we could go back to playing soccer with a tennis ball on the Park Lane Circle playground. Neil wholeheartedly shared my love of recess.
I saw Neil’s obituary in the Globe and my heart absolutely fell. I still see him as he was when he was 8 years old, my best friend now gone.
Penny Parker
September 29, 2021
Mary, Emily, Megan:
I cannot express the sadness I feel with the loss of Neil. My heart heartfelt condolences to you three and Neil's family. I know Neil was a fighter who battled health issues courageously, while continuing his daily activities of life. He will be missed.
Sincerely,
Penny
Cheryl Grossman
September 28, 2021
My deepest condolences to Neil's family. Neil had such a great impact on so many people including me. I was one of his articling students, and he always put a smile on my face, whether it was just by offering me one of his special granola bars as I passed by or by providing words of wisdom or humorous stories over lunch. I loved that one day he was taking music lessons, another day litigating fraud cases, and in the evening coaching his daughters' sports teams. Neil was the lawyer and human being everyone strives to be. He will be dearly missed.
Kristina Desimini
September 28, 2021
Neil acted for us a few years back. He was an excellent lawyer and a kind and generous person. My sincere condolences to his family. May he Rest In Peace.
David Rubin
September 28, 2021
Dear Mary and Neil’s beloved family, Patty and I extend to you our most sincere condolences on your great loss. Neil and I were close colleagues for many years at Gowlings. He was an outstanding and impressive lawyer and it was a great pleasure to know him and work with him. With much sympathy, David Rubin
David Rubin
September 28, 2021
Dear Mary and Neil’s beloved family, Patty and I extend to you our most sincere condolences on your great loss. Neil and I were close colleagues for many years at Gowlings. He was an outstanding and impressive lawyer and it was a great pleasure to know him and work with him. With much sympathy, David Rubin
Dan Fridmar
September 28, 2021
I am absolutely devastated by the news of the passing of one of the greatest people I have ever known.
Neil was more than just a mentor. He was a friend. He was who I called to complain about counsel being unreasonable. He was who I called to ask a novel question or to discuss a nuance in the law. He was who I called to share my achievements with. Every time, he picked up the phone, gave a chuckle, and entertained what I had to say.
Neil as a person is emblematic of what we should each strive to be in the legal profession. I'll miss him greatly.
September 27, 2021
I am so sorry for your loss. I am thinking of you and your family. XOX
Laura Shiner
Teresa Broderick
September 27, 2021
My deepest heartfelt sympathies to the Abbott family. I worked with Neil years ago as his assistant. He was an awesome person to work for and I am very, very saddened to hear of his passing. May GOD bless his soul and my deepest condolences to the entire Abbott family.
Teresa Broderick
Chantal Chaves
September 27, 2021
Mary, Emily and Megan: I worked with Neil many years ago at the Gowling's Kitchener office and would always stop by and visit him when I had meetings in the Toronto office years later (where he would always show me pictures of "his girls"). He was the kindest person I ever had the privilege of working with. He always had a smile and always had a candy drawer for the staff which we would raid while he would share stories. My one vivid memory of Neil was when he told me he had been driving back from a client's and heard Whitney Houston's song "I will always love you" on the radio. He said that he blasted the volume so loud and had tears in his eyes as the song was so beautiful. I'm sure he's singing that song to all of you from the Heavens above. My deepest condolences to you all. He will be deeply missed.
Jacqui Noble
September 27, 2021
Neil, my heart aches for your family, but I believe that you would not have left this soon if you didn't know they would be ok. I loved to hear you talk about your family, you commitment and devotion was inspiring but more than that it speaks volumes to your beautiful heart. Thank you for encouraging me to follow my dreams and continue with my art. I loved visiting you at your office and hearing your stories of the latest piece you collected. You are an inspiration and one day I believe we will meet again, my friend. I look forward to hearing you tell me, Jacqui, you told me the truth about our Father.
Carol Stephens
September 27, 2021
Neil was a lovely man, I worked with him for many years at Gowlings. Condolences to his family.
Jacqueline Hamilton-Clark
September 27, 2021
My condolences to Neil's family and friends. He was a wonderful kind and dedicated person. He was a fighter both in the courtroom and with his illness.
RIP Neil
Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results
Memorial Events
for Neil ABBOTT
Sep
27
Graveside service
ON
Funeral services provided by:
Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel2401 Steeles Avenue West, Toronto, ON M3J 2P1