Cecil BRANSON

BRANSON, Cecil O.D., Q.C.
April 18, 1935 - October 22, 2015
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Cecil after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He is survived by his loving wife June, son Dennis, daughter Leslie, three grandsons, one granddaughter and two great-grandchildren. Also missing him is his constant canine companion Connie. Cecil was born in Victoria. Educated at University School, Victoria College, and in 1962 received his law degree from UBC. He was called to the bar at the Victoria Courthouse in 1963. He practised, first with Sullivan, Smith & Bigelow, then with Jones, Branson Emery and Carfra. He was active in the Victoria Bar serving as its president in 1976. The lure of the Vancouver legal scene took him to that city in 1977, where he joined Edwards Kenny and Bray as senior litigating partner. Cecil thrived practising law, and over the years, in addition to his busy practice, he lectured at three BC universities. He was a legal scholar whose home library was extensive. In 1984, he received his QC. An interest and knowledge in the growing field of arbitration led to a position as Executive Director of the BC International Arbitration Centre. In 1995, Cecil decided to move his office to a cottage on the grounds of his Salt Spring residence and arbitrate cases. He then travelled widely arbitrating international commercial cases and using the internet to settle domain name disputes and other issues relating to intellectual property. As an elected Bencher of the Law Society of BC, Cecil served on various committees and was appointed a Life Bencher of the Law Society. In his role as an international arbitrator, he served on working committees for UNCITRAL and NAFTA, both dealing with drafting regulation with regard to international trade laws. As a talented athlete, Cecil's busy life was balanced on another court. On the tennis court, his competitive nature flourished. Cecil was a longtime member of the Salt Spring Tennis Association where he and his wife June made many friends. Cecil wished to be cremated. There will be no funeral A family gathering will be held at a later date for a Celebration of Cecil's Life. The family wishes to thank the staff of Lady Minto Hospital, especially those in the Palliative Care Suite, the Hospice volunteers and Dr. J. White. The care and compassion that Cecil and the family received in his last days were greatly appreciated.