ROBERTSON, STUART MCGREGOR

STUART MCGREGOR ROBERTSON November 3, 1947 to March 27, 2022 It is with great sadness that Stuart’s family announces the death of a beloved father, brother, partner and friend. Stuart (affectionally known as Touie) was the son of the late Rocke and Roslyn Robertson and was predeceased by his brothers Tam (Marion), Ian (Bonnie) and his wife Mary “Meema” (nee Keene). He is survived by his only sister Bea, his children Sydney and James and his partner Maggie Webster. He was a loyal and caring friend to many, a devoted and loving father to Sydney and James and a treasured brother to Bea (Baboo). His last years were full of the love and friendship of Maggie and their beloved cat, Monkey Bob. Stuart was born in Vancouver and moved with his family to Montreal in 1959. He was educated at Lower Canada College, Bishop’s University, Leeds University in England and he received his law degree from Queen’s University. He was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1974 and began his distinguished legal career in Media Law with the CBC in Ottawa. In 1994 he was a founding partner of ORP Lawyers in Toronto. His clients included most of Canada’s biggest publications and broadcasters including the CBC, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, the National Post and for the last 3 decades, the Canadian Press. A beloved teacher and mentor, he was committed to education. He authored several books on Media Law and was nationally recognized for his accomplishments. In 2019 he received the Governor’s Award from The National Newspaper Awards for his “tireless service for upholding and defending the integrity of journalism across the country”. Stuart and Mary settled their family in the hills of Creemore, Ontario and spent many wonderful years there. After Mary’s passing he remained in Toronto with his children nearby. The last 11 years were spent with his partner Maggie Webster. They spent the Covid years at Maggie’s home in North Hatley, Quebec where he died on Sunday, March 27th of a heart attack following a battle with pulmonary fibrosis. To quote a colleague of Touie’s “I’ve never met anyone else who could provide important guidance with so much thoughtfulness, understanding and compassion”. His presence will be sorely missed and many memories will remain of a gentle man, with a wry sense of humour, a quick and curious brain, a loving manner and a guiding principle of fairness and justice. A memorial service is being planned to be held at the family farm in Creemore. More details will follow. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made in his memory to The Georgian Triangle Humane Society or to the charity of your choice.