Christopher Thomas FILLINGHAM

CHRISTOPHER THOMAS FILLINGHAM MRAIC, FRAIC, OAA, AIA, RAIA 1943 - 2021 With deep sadness, the family of Chris Fillingham announces his sudden passing on Sunday, September 19, 2021. He is survived by his wife Mary Jane Lovering, his son Jeremy and his wife Melanie of Halifax and Baddeck, and their children Everett and Anara, as well as his daughter Christine and her daughter Abigail. Also left to mourn are Chris's brother Robin, his wife Stephanie, Mary Jane's brother and sisters-in-law Bob and Gail Lovering and Ann Lovering. Chris was born in England during WWII at the Woolworth's country estate just outside London, where a maternity ward had been established to keep Mums and their babies safe. His father George was a Canadian soldier, his mother 'Jan' (Evelyn Fenner) an early war bride. After the war, when Chris was three, Jan travelled with her boys to meet George in Canada. They sailed into Halifax on the Aquitania, landing at the now famous Pier 21. After a year in Rouen-Noranda and another on Manitoulin Island, the family settled in Toronto, Chris's lifelong home. An artist at heart, Chris was always an observer and moulder of shape and form, a carver of wood, a builder of furniture and rocking horses. He was a master of crosswords and more recently jigsaw puzzles and he was a lover of golf. From the time he was fifteen years old, Chris knew he would be an Architect. He graduated from the University of Toronto School of Architecture and began a career that would span over fifty years of incredible achievements and passion for his work. In 1972 he joined Dunlop Architects. He played a key role in the evolution of the firm through the intervening years as a Principal and the eventual transition to join Stantec Architecture in 2004. Chris also had a particular interest and commitment to the development of building regulation in Canada. Over the years, he served on the Standing Committee on Fire Protection, as a member of the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes and its Executive Committee, and finally as Chair of that Commission. While Chris contributed to hundreds of projects across Canada over his career, his passion lay in management and governance both over his own practice and that of the architectural profession. He was a past President of the Ontario Association of Architects, past President and Fellow of The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. He was an honorary member of both the American Institute of Architects and the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. During his time on the OAA Council Chris began his 15 year association with Pro-Demnity Insurance Company serving as its founding President from 2003-2016. His charisma and calm manner were invaluable in the years leading up to the transition to an insurance company. He intuitively understood the role of the chair, the board and management. His quiet counsel was invaluable. Chris's legacy to the profession he loved is profound, evidenced not only through the impact achieved through his project work and governance roles, but more importantly through the many architects he mentored and taught throughout his career. Chris never stopped giving. Even after he 'retired', he continued to be present in the studio, acting as the go-to knowledge resource to help solve complex project and practice challenges. His leadership, his knowledge, and most importantly his booming voice will be sorely missed. If you wish, donate in Chris's memory to a charity of your choice and then raise a glass to this extraordinary man and a life well lived.