Obituary for
Robert Joseph Laughton
Q.C., LL.D
Passed away at Ottawa on January 27, 2019 in his 81st year.
Son of the late Editha and Robert C.D. Laughton MBE, C.D. He is survived by his wife Judy (nee Coleman) his high school sweetheart with whom he travelled the world, his four sons Bob (Sue Molson), Doug (Heidi Keene), Mike (Bethany) and Peter (Shanna), his seven grandchildren Robert, Audrey, James, Kate, Oliver, Ava and Blake, his brother Barrie (Carol), sister Linda Hagglund (Rod), stepmother Barbara Johannsen and step sister Beverly Akins Brown.
A graduate of Carleton (B.A.) and Queen’s (LL.B) Universities, his entire professional career was spent with Gowling, Lafleur, Henderson LLP and its predecessors. There he served as managing partner for a number of years and enjoyed a challenging practice including acting as Chief Negotiator and Lead Counsel for and to NAV CANADA in its acquisition of the Civil Air Navigation System from the Government of Canada. He also took an active and extensive role in community and charitable affairs and was recognized for same including receiving Carleton County Law Association’s Gordon F. Henderson award.
He served as Chair of each of the Board of Governors of Carleton University and the Board of Trustees of the Royal Ottawa Hospital, amongst others. He received Boy Scouts of Canada’s highest honour, the Silver Wolf Award, for his lengthy and exceptional service as Honourary Legal Counsel in Canada and was awarded an honorary life membership in the National Capital YM-YWCA for his lengthy service and support as its Honorary Solicitor. He also served as a Governor of the Community Foundation of Ottawa.
A keen sportsman who captained and received MVP awards for each of the Carleton and Queen’s university basketball teams, and an inductee into Carleton’s Sports Hall of Fame as athlete / builder. He served as an officer of Ottawa Football Club Ltd. (Rough Riders), member of Ottawa Grey Cup Festival committee and former director of Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame.
In 2005 he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Carleton, and in 2012 Carleton’s highest non-academic honour, the Founders award, both in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the University and to the Ottawa Community.
His tireless work ethic, integrity, loyalty and generosity was well known to coworkers, family and friends. A leader, less by words than by his own extraordinary example, he utilized his sense of humour, a personal touch and a unique instinct for fun while always getting the job done. An accomplished public speaker, and storyteller, he liked to credit the scout’s motto “be prepared”. Always the consummate host, his hospitality was unparalleled.
The Family will receive visitors at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair and McGarry, 315 McLeod Street, (at O’Connor) Ottawa, on Wednesday February 6th from 1pm – 4pm and 6pm – 9pm.
A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to Carleton University’s Men’s or Women’s Basketball Excellence Fund at futurefunder.ca or to Queensway-Carleton Hospital Foundation www.qchfoundation.ca would be appreciated.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Robert Joseph
Laughton 1938 2019..
Décès pour la Ville:Ottawa, Province: Ontario