Robert Simson Mackay
August 3, 2011
MACKAY, Robert Simson, Q.C. – Born April 7, 1926; died Aug 3, 2011, peacefully at Mount Hope Centre. Bob was predeceased by his beloved wife, Anne. They found their greatest joy in traveling the world together for 46 years. Dear father of Ian Mackay and his wife Madalena of London, and Ellen Barocas and her husband Jim of Miami, Florida. Dearest Granddaddy of Julia and Tovah Barocas. Beloved brother of Patricia Raymer of Toronto and Barbara Robinson of Ottawa. Bob trained as a paratrooper during WW2, after which he followed his father, William Perry Mackay, K.C. into the legal profession, graduating from Osgoode Hall, Toronto and receiving his LL.M. from Columbia University, New York. He practiced for a time with his father in Simcoe, Ontario but found his life’s calling as a teacher and mentor to generations of law students, first at the School of Law, University of Toronto and for many years at the University of Western Ontario Faculty of Law where he served as Dean from 1969 to 1973 and taught until his retirement. UWO conferred upon him the title of Professor Emeritus in 1989. In 1965, he took a three year hiatus from teaching when he was appointed by Chief Justice J.C. McRuer to assist in an Ontario royal commission on civil rights. He was a passionate advocate for equality under the law and the rights of all citizens to its protection. Bob dearly loved his students and they, in turn, loved him. His kindness and generosity were appreciated by colleagues, friends and family and his sense of humor was legendary. A memorial service will be conducted at the Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland Road North, on Sunday, August 14th, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior. If desired, donations may be made to The John Howard Society of Ontario or the charity of your choice in memory of Bob.
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(Donated to John Howard Society)
(Donated to John Howard Society)
(Donated to John Howard Society)
(Donated to John Howard Society)
To Ellen and Ian, I remember Bob from the Simcoe Swimming Pool when I was 14 and he was a lifeguard. He was unfailingly kind, gentle, and respectful of children and young people. Earl and I appreciated him as a mentor to Earl, and had many wonderful times with him and Anne, in your backyard, at Inverhuron (Ian was a strapping baby), and at Law School functions and trips. Ellen, as a young girl at Miss Matthews School, was such a joy to her parents that we had no qualms about starting our own family. Bob was loved by all who knew him.
Please accept my sincere condolences on the death of this wonderful man. Bob was a kind, generous and helpful colleague for many years and he made my life more fun and interesting. I will always remember his sense of humour, especially on display in the "Law for Journalists" summer program in the 1980s.
In celebration of a wonderful man so witty and wise. For all your wonderful speeches and great teaching skills, your generous support and encouragement, for having made UWO Law a better place, Thank you Bob. Nathalie Des Rosiers
Ian and Maddie - It is said that one's life is best represented by the things that are said of them at their passing. Your father has been highly spoken of. Having never met him, after reading the condolences I belief I have truly missed a great opportunity. My prayers are with you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Ian and Ellen I gradutated from UWO Law in 1988. I was your dad's teaching assistant for two years. He was my friend, mentor, and I loved him dearly. I spent many evenings at you parent's home, and many afternoons chauffering your dad and Earl Palmer to the pub. The stories your dad told were priceless. He was kind, funny, and so intelligent. Most of all, he spoke of the two you you and your mom with such love and affection. I have often wondered how he was over the years and, embarrassingly, never did get around to looking him up. This weekend I was in London for work. For some reason I looked at the obituaries, which I have never done before....meant to be I guess, so that I could share my memories with the two of you. I am sorry I was unable to attend the Service yesterday. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I will never forget your dad and all that he taught me. I can hear him laughing right now. Fondly, Jennifer Holmes Windsor, Ontario
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy on the passing of your father. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Ian & Maddie - Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Please accept my sincere condolences on the death of your father, grandfather, and brother. Bob was a wonderful teacher (I took 3 courses from him at Western), mentor, and, subsequently, colleague (he hired me to teach at Western). Bob was loyal to his friends and generous to his students. He was a humble and a gentle man. And he was fun to be with. His sense of humour was, indeed, legendary. I shall miss him. I wish you strength in your time of grief.
My condolences to Bob's family. I met Bob in September, 1953 as a first year student in his criminal law course at the U of T Law School. He was a terrific teacher and just a great guy. We became friends in those wonderful three years of law school and remained so over all these years. Our 55th reunion is coming up in October and were hoping to see Bob then. Sadly, we won't get to see him but we will tell some Mackay stories and raise a beer or three in his memory. Lionel Schipper ( Class of 56 )
One of the great regrets of my time at Western was that I never got to meet Bob Mackay. Yet in my eleven years there, I encountered his legacy almost every single day. To a person, his former students remembered him as a paragon of kindness. His former colleagues remembered him as an extremely funny and gentle man. And his successors in the Dean's Office knew him as the embodiment of humility and as someone who always put students before self. His passing marks the close of an important chapter in UWO's history, for he was the last of the founding members of Western's law faculty. Deepest sympathies to the family that Bob loved so dearly.
I was a law student at UWO in the mid 1970's. Bob was extraordinarily kind and helpful to me. He was a wonderful and generous teacher. My deepest sympathy to you.
I will remember Bob fondly as a fine teacher and gracious colleague. Bob, moreover, had no equal as a teller of ribald stories. He knew them all, and told them with hilarious relish. Rande Kostal Western Law
Ian and Ellen I have such wonderful memories of my times with your Dad; from family visits, to the times at that pub in east London (Rickard's Red, wasn't it?) when I needed and valued his wise and humorous counsel. It's sad to know he's gone, and to stop and realize how long it's been since I last had a visit with him. Barbara and I both send our deep sympathy to you and your families. He sure was one amazing guy!
Ian, I read in the London paper this morning of the passing of your father, Dean Robert Mackay. Please accept my most sincere condolences on the loss of your father and extend my sympathies to your family. I enjoyed the opportunity that I had to meet and talk with your Dad as the father of one of my students. Know that my thoughts are with you at this sad time. God Bless. Ross Spettigue Windsor, ON
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Please accept my condolences on the passing of a remarkable man. Bob was the essence of a gentleman and a scholar, with a disarming sense of humour.
~ Brian Arnold