Remembering
To say that Robert Gourlay’s recent death came as a shock to me is understatement indeed.
Rob was the President of the Canadian Bar Association (BC Branch) in 1992-93 — soon after my arrival as Communications Director for the CBA.
He was quiet, methodical, and thorough. During his term as president of the CBA - BC Branch, Rob was supportive of the work I was doing with communications matters.
My fondest memory of that time is the infamous cruiseship convention in 1991. We flew into Los Angeles the day after the LA Riots. CBA Executive Director Robert Smethurst had the tour bus take the executive committee through the riot area!
As we set sail from LA to Vancouver, Rob and Kathleen suffered my seasickness that hit no later than two hours at seas. They laughed at Madam Justice Wendy Baker and I as we sat wrapped in blankets on the deck the next day. Wendy and I seriously discussed how much it would cost to have a helicopter come and take us away from those small 20′ swells we experienced the night before.
Both Rob and Kathleen provided advice and friendship through my initial tenure at the CBA. As well, in the difficult times before I left the organization, typical of Rob, it was more what he didn’t say to me that I found comfort.
I’ve lit a candle in the garden pagoda for Rob. May the light speed him on the next part of his journey.
[Obituary from Vancouver Sun follows on next page]
Remembering
“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 U of T 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 1990’s, 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 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Law Courts, 800 Smithe Street. All are welcome. Though we miss him more than words can express, we are forever grateful to have been a part of his life. ”
Photo from: Gourlay Spencer Wade LLP - Vancouver Trial Lawyers and Legal Advice
Last 5 posts in JOURNAL
- But will there be cobs? - September 6th, 2008
- Blast from the past - September 1st, 2008
- September long weekend makes me melancholy - August 30th, 2008
- Save me from summer linen shirts - August 22nd, 2008
- Carports suck energy - August 20th, 2008