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Robert GOURLAY Obituary
GOURLAY, Robert William Q.C.
Died June 16, 2005. Born April 30, 1948, Rob grew up in Vancouver, attended Point Grey Secondary School, UBC, and UofT law school then returned to Vancouver to practise law. It was in Toronto that Rob met the love of his life, Kathleen Keating, whom he would marry in 1976. Together they had two boys, Matthew (1979) and Kevin (1981) with whom Rob shared a love of baseball, politics and Bob Dylan.
Professionally, he worked in the Crown Counsel office from 1975-80 before going into private practice with Peter Spencer, a close friend since childhood-a partnership that has lasted ever since. Widely respected in the legal profession, he was President of the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch (1992-93), a member of the CBA National Executive for two terms in the early 1990s, and an elected Bencher of the Law Society of BC from 1996 to 2004. He is also a former President of the Sir Winston Churchill Society of BC (1999-2001).
Along with Peter and Daphne Spencer, in 1990 Rob and Kathleen purchased property near Merritt that they christened Black Pine Ranch, where he could be found on weekends riding horses, mending fences, and stoking the campfire. He also derived great pleasure from swimming at Jericho and Roberts Creek, reading history, and doing the New York Times crossword puzzle.
He was unusually generous and kind. Although he had struggled mightily against depression for many years, and especially in recent weeks, Rob derived great joy from the companionship of so many friends and family members, especially Kathleen and the boys. The family has been overwhelmed and comforted by the outpouring of love and support from those who enjoyed his friendship over the years.
He is predeceased by his father, Dr. Robert H. Gourlay and survived by his mother Elizabeth Gourlay, sister Mary LePatourel, her husband Doug, and their children Greg and Deborah.
A memorial tribute will be held Friday, June 24th at 5:30 in the Great Hall of the Law Courts, 800 Smithe St. All are welcome.
Though we miss him more than words can express, we are forever grateful to have been a part of his life.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert GOURLAY
19 Entries
Jane Hardwick
June 25, 2005
Kathleen, Matthew and Kevin,
I have great memories of Uncle Rob!
He was so funny at parties, almost in this way that if you didn't pay attention you could miss it.
He was such a dancer and I think that is the coolest thing a guy can be into!
He was fabulously generous with us, and so welcoming all the times we visited your house.
He had this great tan that I envied and after he went swimming I loved how his hair was all in little ringlets.
He was so hospitable - He would always offer me a drink as soon as I'd walk through the front door, and one time when I was probably fourteen he says "Hi Jane, what can I get you? We've got Red, some White, a beer?" or something like that. He saw the look on my face and said "Are you.. Do you.. Is this... Okay so juice?" I thought it was so funny!
I hope to see you all soon - how much I'll miss his presence.
Love, Jane
Judith Timson
June 24, 2005
Kathleen, Matthew and Kevin,
My heart will be with you as you honor Rob on Friday. Kathleen, we’ve known each other since we met as young journalists(way before your legal career!) and I’ve watched with admiration and respect as you and Rob built your life together.
We ache for your loss-and for the lost opportunities in our own lives to connect with both of you. I always thought that ‘next’ summer—or surely the one after that—would be the summer that Martin and I would make it out to the ranch to reconnect with, and enjoy both of you .That is always such a tough lesson for us all to learn isn’t it? To never assume tomorrow, but to just enjoy today.
So good-bye to a special man, and all my love to you, Kathleen, his constant and devoted companion.
And to Matthew and Kevin—I spent far too much time searching for a meaningful quote I thought might comfort you a tiny bit until I realized both of you are way too smart for that. So go out in the world, live your promising lives to the fullest, love well, and take comfort in the fact that your Dad was a good man.
That’s the only legacy that matters.
Judith Timson
[email protected]
Darlene Strain
June 23, 2005
Kathleen and Family,
Please accept our deepest sympathies as you work your way through this very difficult time.
You are in our hearts and in our prayers.
Love, warmth and prayers,
Bob and Darlene Strain
Sandy MacLean
June 23, 2005
Kathleen,
I was so very sorry to hear about Rob and wanted you to know that you and your boys are in my thoughts and prayers. It's been a very long time since we've seen each other, but I think about both of you every time I drive through Merritt and I always will.
How you can show support
Jeanie and Cayley Wilson
June 23, 2005
Kathleen and Family,
We were so sorry to hear of Rob's passing. Our thoughts and prayers to you and yours. Sincerely, Jeanie and Cayley Wilson
Mary Ann Stephenson
June 23, 2005
Kathleen:
I wanted to drop you a note to say how sorry we are to hear of your loss. It is never easy but it must be comforting to know that your two boys are there with you and you are able to support each other. Dave has been very sick these past few years and I know how hard it can be to shoulder the load on your own. Rob was a wonderful husband and father and has left a lot of terrific memories that you all will cherish.
Helen had told me about this site, so I apologize for not responding sooner. Again, I want you to know that your family is in our heart and our prayers at this time.
Mary Ann, Dave, Warren and Patrick
Lynda Smith
June 22, 2005
Dear Kathleen,
The few years that I have known you both, are filled with memories. For this I am very grateful.
You and Rob, were a very cool couple. I admire your zest for living your lives to the fullest, for always being open to try new things, for continually challenging yourselves and especially for your generous hospitality.
When I think of Rob ..
I see him aboard the bay arab, Kokanee ... along with Peter and Daphne, we are all heading up mountain for an evening trail ride. Rob never looked like a lawyer at the ranch, he was just an ol'cowpoke headin 'em out.
I see him on the wooden plank dance floor spinning a never ending line of ladies, round and round. Country music whining through the pines ...
I see the two of you at the picnic table, working on the morning crossword, over the best ever, mountain brewed coffee. Ahhh ... your ability to rest, relax and just enjoy being.
And of late, I see Rob working very hard, learning the finesse of our sport Reining. Loping those circles on the correct lead, spinning, sliding, and holding his magic pebbles. We are all very proud of your "boys" accomplishments, Kathleen.
The camp fires won't burn quite as brightly this year ... but in time, we'll be telling Rob stories around them.
Love you Kathleen,
Lynda & Dave
Shannyn, Chad, Jake & Missy, Dora
& assorted other children
Peg and Frank Keating
June 22, 2005
From the day you brought Rob home to meet us, Kathleen, we knew he was a "keeper". We've loved and admired him as a son all these years and will always keep him in our hearts. Dad and Mom
Barb Gove
June 21, 2005
Kathleen and family, I am very sorry for your loss.You and rob are such wonderful people. I will always remember you both sitting at the edge of the arena giving encouragement to all, and the wonderful time I had at your ranch.His presence will be missed. Barb
John McCabe
June 21, 2005
Kathleen, Mathew & Kevin,
You all are in my thoughts and prayers everyday. I know how difficult it is to loose a loved one and I know that Rob will continue to live with you all forever. I wish I had the opportunity to know him better.
Corinne Kriegl
June 21, 2005
our thoughts are with you Kathleen and family.
Wolfgang, Corinne, Sarah Kriegl.
Mary Keating McCabe
June 21, 2005
Dear Kathleen, Mathew and Kevin,
I first danced with Rob at Judy's wedding thirty-one years ago. I'll treasure that memory and each dance we shared since. He was such a warm, loving, humble man. My heart aches that he has left this earth.
With love, Mary
Sam Munday
June 21, 2005
I've always enjoyed your company and found in you a loving couple. I share your loss and send my truest, deepest simpathy. I hope you can hold his honour and joy close to your heart always. With love, Sam Munday & family.
Leslie Bogula
June 21, 2005
Kathleen you know how everyone cares about you and Rob - we shall miss him mightily both in and at the rail of the show pen. What a terrible loss...but what a gift to have his smiling encouragement from as recent as May 7th ringing in my ears.
I also wish to thank you both for embodying what life partnership is all about.
Love Leslie
Carol Hardwick
June 21, 2005
Rob was my dear brother-in-law. I have vivid memories of laughing together at parties and dancing at the family wedding celebrations with him. He was such a loving father to Matthew and Kevin and husband to my sister, Kathleen. We six siblings have witnessed the closeness and joy she and Rob have shared over the past thirty years. What a dear, dear man we have lost.
William Sommers
June 21, 2005
Kathleen and family, we hope and pray that you may find consolation for your grief. May God bless Robert William, and yourselves in your sorrow.
Ken Serne
June 21, 2005
Rob was a tremendous mentor to me as a young lawyer working for him right after articles. I learned many important lessons from him and I am forever indebted to him. Values I learned from Rob included a sense of inherent honesty and integrity and incisiveness in analyzing a problem. Rob taught me to get to the point quickly. He also had a wry sense of humour with an appropriately wicked edge. I am grateful too for his many acts of kindness including: introducing me to many leaders in the profession as a equal, including me in his interest in Sir Winston Churchill, and giving me many "firsts". My first examination for discovery and my first appearance at the Court of Appeal being notable examples. I will always remember him robbing the firm peanut jar at 5:00 p.m. daily with a twinkle in his eye while he returned to his office to either surf the Bob Dylan website or analyze a complex legal problem. I miss him greatly already.
Helen Rogers (nee Sommers)
June 21, 2005
Kathleen, I was very sorry to hear about Rob. I can't imagine what you are going through right now.
I just wanted you to know that you are in our thoughts.
Paul Keating
June 21, 2005
Kathleen,
What a beautifully written tribute. You and Rob are an inspiration to me representing everything partners for life should be. I love you.
Paul
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