Obituary for John Lawrence
Lawrence, John Edward McCrea QC
BA (Bishop’s), LLB (McGill)
At Ottawa’s Queensway Carleton Hospital, of congestive heart failure, at the age of 85, with his family at his side. He was the loving husband of Anne Cadman, brother of Nancy Veldhuis and Donald, his twin. Beloved father of Burke, John, Denys and Cary and father-in-law to Robyn Mooney, Monika Lawrence and Thomas LaPierre. Cherished grandfather of Jy, Noah, Rohja, Beniya, Paige, Claire, Georgia and Angie.
John was born in Kingston, Ontario but grew up in Lennoxville, Quebec attending Bishop’s College School and Bishop’s University where he studied History, was an avid hockey goalie and dabbled in amateur theatre as a result of which, two of his children are actors. John then pursued a career in law after graduating from McGill University.
John practiced in Montreal with the firm of Doheny, Day, Mackenzie & Lawrence until he moved his family to Ottawa in 1971. There he took the role of general counsel to the Canadian Radio and Television Commission (CRTC) under Pierre Juneau and Harry Boyle. It was at this time that he and Anne bought their cherished Heronlake Farm near Shawville, Quebec where they spent winter weekends and holidays with family. Summers were spent on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
In the late 70’s, John moved to the Privy Council Office under Michael Pitfield, where he co-authored the Canadian government white paper on bilingualism entitled ‘A National Understanding’. He would return to the CRTC in 1980 as its Vice-Chairman under John Meisel before leaving to join the law firm of Blake, Cassels & Graydon. During this time, he greatly enjoyed the many friends whom he met while working on the legal affairs of Alberta’s Government Telephones (AGT). He retired in 2000.
In retirement, John and Anne split their time between Ottawa, Ontario and Jupiter, Florida. They cruised most years, often returning to St. Petersburg, Russia and Istanbul, Turkey (two of John’s favourite cities). John loved his grandchildren, who called him Jem, and would tussle and play with them as he did with his four children. John yearned to discover the meaning of human existence through his readings and his passionate dinner table discussions with friends and family. Later in life, he seemed to discover the answer, in the love he shared with his bride of 59 years, Anne.
A funeral service will be held in Ottawa, Ontario, on Friday June 23rd at 1pm at Christ Church Cathedral, (414 Sparks Street), presided over by John’s long-time friend Bishop John Baycroft, with a reception to follow. If you would like to make a donation in memory of John, please consider the A.C.E. Unit (Acute Care for the Elderly) at Queensway-Carleton Hospital, 3045 Baseline Rd, Nepean, ON, K2H 8P4.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de John Edward McCrea
Lawrence – 1932 – 2017.source
Décès pour la Ville: Ottawa, Province: Ontario
avis deces John Edward McCrea
Lawrence – 1932 – 2017- avis mortuaire John Edward McCrea
Lawrence – 1932 – 2017