Douglas Robertson - 1937-2014

Old Sedberghians from the early days of Sedbergh will be saddened to hear of the death of Douglas Robertson at Christmas time.

The following obituary has appeared:

"Robertson, Douglas Christian
March 15, 1937 - December 26, 2014

It is with great sadness that the family of Douglas Robertson announces his death on Christmas night at the age of 77. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Honor MacDougall, his daughter Victoria (Marc Barbeau); son Christian (Juliana Zinger); daughter Eimile (Spiros Bouas) and eight grandchildren Mathilde, Henri and Aymeric; Olivia, Alastair and Oscar; Athena and Dimitri; and by his brother Angus W. Robertson. Born in Toronto and raised in Mexico, the Bahamas and Montreal, Douglas studied law at McGill University and political science at LSE. In 1964, he moved to Paris to run the foreign office of the law firm Phillips and Vineberg, where he later served as the firm's co-managing partner for 19 years. Throughout, he discreetly acted as a trusted advisor to his many clients, whether multinational or individuals, reminding young lawyers to be humble and that they would only grasp their calling when they had a client whose house was at stake. On his return to Montreal, Douglas became active in his community, first spearheading a group of concerned citizens who prevented the construction of a hydro substation in Westmount, then serving multiple terms on the city council, winning a Governor General's Award for Stayner Park and acting as Chairman of the Board for Selwyn House School. An accomplished sailor, Douglas served as Commodore of the Prout's Neck Yacht Club in Maine, where he spent 25 happy summers. A force of nature, known for his humour, trenchant opinions and inexhaustible reserves of energy, Douglas was particularly fond of his country house in the Eastern Townships where he could indulge in his favourite pursuits: gardening, cooking, reading, and barking commands. His warmth, compassion, wit, pleasure in reading literature and poetry, and his generous laughter touched many lives. Douglas will be missed by his extended family, close friends, many nieces and nephews, and by his cat, Asperge.

Funeral services will be private, a memorial service will be announced at a later date. Donations can be made in his memory to the Victoria Hospital".

Our sincere condolences to Douglas' family and friends.