Hugh Allan Rorison was born on Dec. 4, 1936 in the prairie town of Moose Jaw, SK. The youngest of four, he was taught the value of hard work, responsibility, loyalty, humour and family. In his late teens, Hugh moved with his mother and sister to Vancouver to begin a new chapter that would see him achieve a B.Comm from the University of British Columbia, and introduce him to the woman who would become his beloved wife, Yvonne. Together they embarked on a cross-country adventure that took them from Calgary to Regina and, finally, settling in Toronto.
During that time, Hugh created a successful career in finance while he and Yvonne increased their family size from two to five. In 1979, the family was dealt a devastating blow with the death of Hugh and Yvonne’s only son, Sean. Through the pain of his grief, he took a leap of faith and, with an iron will and and an innovative idea, he started his own company that would grow to employ dozens of people.
Penfund was built on his extraordinary people skills, intelligence, and strong ethical standards. In 1998, Hugh sold the business and he and Yvonne retired to Victoria giving him more time for golf, friends, travel and family.
Hugh Rorison died on the evening of Feb. 1, 2022 after a six-year struggle with dementia. His beloved wife Yvonne (Eldridge), his daughters Christine Sutherland (Rorison) and Trish Rorison and his granddaughters Megan and Sarah Sutherland will miss his wit, wisdom, smile and unflagging devotion to those he loved. Anyone who met Hugh liked him. Along with his warmth, he was quick to laugh, listened intently, and had an easy way with just about anyone from strangers to personal and business friends. Hugh made people feel as though they mattered and because of that, everyone loved him. He made connections with parking lot attendants, grocery store clerks and captains of industry. Each person was treated the same – with kindness and respect. His many friends and acquaintances at his golf clubs in Ontario (Beacon Hall) and Victoria (Victoria Golf Club) knew this well. Hugh and Yvonne created a family made of love and Hugh, himself, set an example of commitment, graciousness and loyalty among many other wonderful traits including spectacular bear hugs and the ability to generate a nick name for just about anyone and anything. Hugh was truly one of the good guys and this word is left better for his time in it.
“At the end of the day, people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
Donations in Hugh’s name can be made to those that took such good care of him at Broadmead Care – Veterans Memorial Lodge www.broadmeadcare.com/get-involved/ways-to-donate
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Hugh Rorison 1936 2022..
mccall gardens funeral and cremation service
Death notice for the town of: Victoria, Province: Colombie britanique