Old Boy Obituaries

SHS loses OLDEST OLD BOY

Patrick McGillycuddy Stoker ’31, the oldest Old Boy still in contact with the school, died peacefully on July 5, 2014, surrounded by family.

Born on Christmas Day 1920, son of Tom Thornley McGillycuddy Stoker and Mary Hendrie Braithwaite Stoker (Drummond), Paddy was predeceased by his first wife, Shirley Linton St. Barbe Harrison, his half-brother Guy Melfort Drummond, and his two brothers, Tom Thornley Braithwaite and Desmond Neil (Gail Calder).

Paddy is survived by his wife Josephine Hadley, his sons, Thornley (Susan), Dermot (Tracy) and his daughter Carlotta (Ralph Difiore).

A graduate of Selwyn House School, Bishop’s College School and Upper Canada College, Paddy joined the RCAF in 1942, during his studies of architecture at McGill University. He served overseas in the Yorkshire 6th Group bomber squadron and, after VE Day, regrouped in Nova Scotia for the Japanese theatre. Returning to McGill, Paddy graduated in 1951 and went overseas for further study. He set up his architectural practice in 1952 and retired in 1992. Paddy was a great patron and lover of the arts, as well as an ardent supporter of numerous cultural, educational, and philanthropic initiatives.

A private family service has been held and a celebration of Paddy’s life will take place in the fall.

In lieu of flowers, please make a generous donation to Bishop’s College School or the charity of your choice. Published in The Gazette on July 10, 2014

An ADVOCATE for many causes

John Anthony Barry Fetherstonhaugh ’43 died peacefully on April 15, 2014 at the age of 87.

He was the son of Harold Lea Fetherstonhaugh and Edith Marjorie Scott. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 61 years, Catherine Anne (nee Notman) and predeceased by his sister Mary Lea. John was father to Timothy Keith Edward (died 1953), Robert Barry of Montreal, John Brian of New York, and Catherine Lea Graham of Ottawa. John was a lawyer, prosecutor, lecturer, historian, proud veteran and enthusiastic supporter of many diverse causes.

He was born, lived and died in Montreal, the city he adored. He grew up in Westmount where he attended Selwyn House and Westmount High. He graduated with a BCL from McGill University, completing his final year in French at Laval University in Quebec City. He went on to receive his Masters of Law (LLM in labour law) from Harvard University. His law career spanned more than 35 years. He served as Secretary of the Bar of Montreal in the mid 1960s and was a founding director of the Legal Aid Bureau of the Bar of Montreal. He was named the English representative to revise the Quebec Civil Code of Procedure. In 1965, he was appointed a Queen’s Counsel (QC).

He served as Prosecutor of both the Westmount and Dorval municipal courts.

During high school John signed up as a wartime artillery volunteer. He trained at Camp Petawawa and became a bombardier instructor. He joined the Royal Canadian Artillery 51st Regiment, and rose to the rank of Captain in the militia.

John was an advocate for many causes, including aviation safety, veterans’ affairs, prisoners’ rights (President of John Howard Society), seniors’ care (President of St Margaret’s Home), Haiti earthquake relief, and land mine control. He was very proud to represent Cesar Chavez and the United Farmworkers’ Union and even joined their picket lines. John was active in politics for over seven decades. He travelled to the former Yugoslavia in 1947 as a representative of the McGill Young Liberals. He was copy editor for the McGill Daily. John ran for the Liberal Party nomination to Parliament in the 1960s and again in the 70s. A resident of Dorval for over 55 years, John served as the President of the Dorval Municipal Association, was a founding director of the Dorval Library, and an active member of the Dorval Historical Society. Published in The Gazette April 15, 2014

Old Boy OBITUARIES

BOARD CHAIR could have run for CANADA

Long-serving Board Chairman and Speirs Medallist Edward M. Ballon ’39 died peacefully at home surrounded by his family in his 90th year. He was the beloved husband for 56 years to Heather; loving father of Daphne (Stephen), David ’77, Andrea (Mark), Reed ’82 (Julie) and Diana (Rick).Born in Montreal to Dr. David and Lilian Ballon, Ed was the eldest of six children: Jonathan (deceased), Joy, Margot, Basil, and Judy. He attended Selwyn House School, St. Andrew’s College and McGill University, leaving McGill from 1943 to 1945 to serve proudly as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy. He then dove back into student life, becoming president of the McGill Student Society and captain of the track team. As a runner, Ed’s forté was the mile, and he competed both nationally and internationally. In 1950, he completed his education with an MBA from the Harvard Business School. In later years he served as Chairman of the Board of Selwyn House, spent 34 years on the Board of Governors of St. Andrew’s, and was President of the McGill Graduate Society and a member of its Board of Governors. During his long professional career, Ed taught marketing at the University of Toronto Business School, served as an executive for the Hudson’s Bay Company and was Vice President of Retail Operations for Henry Birks & Sons, where he worked for 20 years. After “retirement,” he became the Executive Director of the Business Fund for Canadian Studies in the United States. Eddie was passionate about racquet sports, sailing, the monarchy, bridge, his many long-time friendships and of course his adored “first wife.” He treasured his time spent at Camp Ahmek, the Toronto Racquet Club, the Montreal Racket Club, the Hillside Tennis Club and the B&R. The family spent summers in Georgian Bay where he ruled the waves with his Albacore, and the verandah with his scrabble board. Known variously as The Admiral, Professor and Sir Edward, he will be remembered for his notorious election campaign at McGill, his racy and yet sentimental poetry, his sense of fair play, his right-wing politics and his outrageous flirting. He loved his children and grandchildren, his siblings, his wonderful friends and most of all, his wife.

Published in The Gazette on April 30

From Veritas, Autumn 1988

Ed joined the Board of Directors in 1970, serving as treasurer in 1971. He served as Board Chairman from 197276, and in this position proved himself to be an extremely able administrator, gaining the respect and friendship of his colleagues, as well as the staff of the school.

As Chairman, he established the Lucas Foundation, of which he later also became chairman. As well, it was under his unremitting supervision that Mr. Moodey and Doctor Speirs wrote Veritas, the history of Selwyn House. His editing and writing talents were recognized early, as he was a winner of the Angus Murray Prize for English Composition.

While at school, Eddie was known for his remarkable athletic ability. He was a great cricketer and an excellent wicket-keeper. In soccer he was the fastest forward in the line and an excellent kicker. In hockey, he played centre, and was an excellent skater and play-maker. However, it was in track that Eddie excelled. He won practically every race he entered, and we are told on reliable authority that had he not become ill, he would have been selected as a member of Canada’s Olympic team in track and field. Eddie finished his career at Selwyn House by winning a scholarship to St. Andrew’s College. He resided in Toronto with his wife, where he continued to be employed as a vicepresident of Birks Canada.

After leaving Selwyn House he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy and served under the command of the late Eric Harrington ’28 ■

John Barry ’56

John David Barry ’56, one-time teacher and travel agent, died suddenly in Toronto on Friday, November 8, 2013, at the age of 71. Son of the late Kathleen Louise Barry (née Shepherd) and John Cecil Barry of Westmount Quebec, he is survived by his sister, Cecily Ann Barry. In accordance with his wishes there was no funeral. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario would be appreciated.

Visit the Selwyn House website at www.selwyn.ca

Old Boy OBITUARIES

One of Canada’s GREATEST INVESTORS

It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of John Dobson ’43 at The Montreal General Hospital on July 30, 2013. A memorial service was held on August 5, 2013 at the Mount Royal Funeral Complex in Outremont.

Born in Montreal on July 25, 1928, John William Dobson was the son of Maritimers Sydney George Dobson and Beatrice Winifred Dobson (Chambers). He had one sibling, older sister Virginia, and never married. His father worked for more than 50 years at the Royal Bank of Canada, rising from bank clerk to president and chairman during the 1940s.

After graduating from Selwyn House in 1943 and McGill University in 1949, Mr. Dobson enrolled at Harvard University and received his MBA in 1952. He returned to Montreal to work with Dominion Engineering and then with investment firm C.J. Hodgson.

In 1960, John launched an informal investment club with 10 friends and associates. They included John Turner, later to become prime minister; Lorne Webster, a member of the powerful Webster business family; and Heward Grafftey, Progressive Conservative MP for Quebec’s Brome-Missisquoi riding.

Raising an initial $134,000, Mr. Dobson set about investing the money in stocks he deemed capable of growing at 20 per cent a year. His “growth formula” would focus mainly on companies in the United States.

Mr. Dobson’s club was called Formula Growth Fund. It was an immediate success, rising more than 55 per cent in its first 18 months and becoming one of Canada’s earliest mutual funds. Word quickly got around the tight-knit Montreal investment community and others clamoured to get on board, many of them Mr. Dobson’s friends from his youth or fellow golfers at Mount Bruno on Montreal’s South Shore. They included Drummond Birks of the jewellery chain, Hugh Hallward, later a founding investor in the Montreal Expos baseball club, and lawyer Donald Johnston, who would become a cabinet minister under former prime minister Pierre Trudeau.

Years later, legendary investor Sir John Templeton became one of the fund’s largest unit holders as the assets of Formula Growth, along with a sister institutional fund, grew to more than $1-billion. The reason was simple: Over the past 50 years, Formula Growth Fund has been one of North America’s most successful investment funds, significantly outperforming the Dow Jones Industrial Average. An initial investment of $10,000 in 1960 in Formula Growth units would today be worth more than $6 million.

This remarkable performance earned John a reputation as one of Canada’s greatest growth stock investors.

His annual “Dobson Dinners” and other events in San Francisco and New York drew the smartest people in the investment industry. “It’s remarkable how a relatively small money manager in Montreal was able to find its way into the biggest and most successful money management firms and conferences, and attract heavy hitters to its events,” said Ian Soutar, a close friend and associate of Mr. Dobson’s who cofounded Montreal-based Pembroke Management. “This became critical to Formula Growth’s success.”

In 1986, John established The John Dobson Foundation to “help educate the public with respect to the free enterprise system and entrepreneurial activities in Canada.” This foundation has supported many and varied community entrepreneurial efforts such as The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, The Youth Employment Services Foundation of Montreal (which supports in excess 2100 marginalized youth annually), and Junior Achievement.

John will always be remembered for his kind gestures to others and his positive-spirited values that makes for a strong Canada. He provided many young students with an opportunity to attend university.

In recognition of his contributions and achievements, Mr. Dobson was awarded honorary doctorates from McGill, Concordia, Dalhousie and Acadia universities, and in 1997 was named to the Order of Canada.

Mr. Dobson played at more than 600 golf courses around the world, including the game’s homeland in Scotland. He was a long-time board member of the Royal Canadian Golf Association and helped to run the Canadian Open. He was also an active member of numerous other clubs and associations including the Fraser Institute of Canada and the C.D. Howe Institute.

From the Globe and Mail and Montreal Gazette ■

Michael Huband ’54

Michael Huband ’54 passed away peacefully on Aug 21 at age 73. Although taken too early, he lived a full life. He will be missed by his deeply loved wife, Ann Bennett, his children Paul, Louisa (Craig Moffat) and Kate (Todd Barr), his sister Anne Brunstrom (Terry) his brother Tim Blaiklock (predeceased by Sally).

Michael had a long and satisfying career at the Bank of Montreal. Upon retirement eight years ago, he dedicated much time to charitable works close to his heart, most notably the Montreal General Hospital Foundation, the Queen Elizabeth Health Complex and the Atlantic Salmon Federation. Published in The Gazette on August 27, 2013.

Old Boy OBITUARIES

POWELL established VIMY FOUNDATION

Andrew Powell ’45 died in Montreal on March 14, 2014. He is survived by his wife, Lise, his sons Christopher ’77 and Nicholas ’79, his daughters Christine and Natalie, his stepson Charles and by many grandchildren, in Canada, the USA, China and France.

Brought up in Westmount, attended Selwyn House School, Trinity College School, McGill University and Magdalene College,

Cambridge University.

Summers were spent on Long Island Sound, then on a Laurentian lake when the war came. There were summer jobs in the cornfields of Illinois, on a cargo ship to Latin America, and at La Société historique du Saguenay.

His parents were American; they instilled in him their optimism and can-do mentality—to reach, to challenge, to try, and to give back. These characteristics inspired him to establish The Vimy Foundation in 2006, with the mission of fostering pride in Canada, its coming of age and its role in the world, especially with France and the UK. He had an appreciation for design, fine workmanship and antiques, and was passionate about history.

Much of his life was spent outside Canada. While living 27 years in the United Kingdom, he founded a boutique investment brokerage firm, which became a member of NASDAQ. There were many ski trips in France, Switzerland and Austria, and for a time he owned a 17th-century home in Gascony, southwest France.

Andrew was president of the Vimy Foundation, whose goal is to raise awareness of the importance of the battle and what it means to Canada and the world. The victory at Vimy laid the foundations of Canada’s national pride.

Andrew started the Vimy Scholarship in 2006. The following year the Vimy Foundation began distributing a medal each year on April 9. The Foundation’s goal is that this new medal will take its place alongside the Remembrance Day poppy as “April’s Poppy,” a symTo teach young Canadians about the importance of these events, the Vimy Foundation offers students a scholarship that includes a trip to the Vimy hat includes a trip to the Vimy Memorial and nearby sites. ■

Hugh Hallward ’40 died peacefully on August 26, 2013, at the Montreal General Hospital of complications from a fall. Hugh is survived by his wife, Martha, his sons, Graham ’73 (Mary) and John ’78 (Karma), his daughters, Peggy (Ted), Faith and Annabel (Philip) and seven grandchildren. Predeceased by his brother, John ’43. A private family funeral has been held. As he wished, this will be the only service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation or the Montreal Oral School for the Deaf.

The former president of Argo Construction, Hugh might have been bestknown to Montrealers as the man who, along with his friends Charles Bronfman and Lorne Webster, brought major league baseball to Montreal as one of the founding co-owners of the Expos.

He chaired McGill University’s board of governors from 1982 to 1990 and served as the president of the McGill Alumni Association in the early seventies. He played an important behind-the-scenes role in two major McGill fundraising campaigns and contributed his time to other organizations such as the Montreal Oral School for the Deaf.

“He was the epitome of the selfless volunteer,” Honora Shaughnessy, McGill’s senior executive director of development and alumni relations, told the McGill Reporter. ■