Douglas McTavish

I worked with Doug fifty years ago in Tanzania, where we were advisors to the government of that then young state. I have fond memories of the man and our time together. Doug was outstanding in his field, committed to high standards and energetic, effectively, at work. He and Susan did Canada proud. I recall as well that Doug had a Triumph 750 mot...more

Couple of highlight memories. Doug and I played in the Kinindoni Touch Football League in the early 70's. "League" was probably a misnomer. It was a bunch of CIDA and CUSO "advisors" posted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, who played touch football ever Monday afternoon and then adjourned to the Oyster Bay Hotel patio, which overlooked the Indian Ocean,...more

I met Doug at John Bentham and Dianne Crabbe-Bentham’s wedding on Stoney Lake. It was only subsequently that my niece Moira alerted me to the connection between us, with Doug being John’s friend as well as Moira’s friend Kate’s dad. He was charming.

Spent several summers racing with Doug on his Flying Scot sailboat on Stony Lake. We had lots of fun and many laughs. RIP Doug

So many memories, so many good times. I was Doug’s assistant for nearly 14 years - starting off in 1985 at Bastedo, Cooper & Shostack, then at Miller Thomson in 1988, and finally when he set up shop on his own in the late-‘90s. Doug always treated me as an equal and as a friend and he never got tired of reminding me of my East Coast roots. We work...more

Doug has been a great friend for over 40 + years and his friendship, charm and sense of humor will always be remembered. We worked together on many corporate matters over the years which involved endless meetings, dinners and drinks and of course one couldn't do all those things with Doug without having a lot of laughs. I am filled with warm memo...more

One quiet Fall day I was at the counter of the store, Choate Supply, and I heard a motorcycle pull in across the road. I watched him dismount and remove his head covering and I was so shocked, and amused, to see it was Doug. I guess it was the mode of transport, his gear and the time of year, but the whole scene was so abnormal and came to mind ...more

I was fortunate to have worked closely with Doug as an articling student and in my first while as a lawyer at Day, Wilson, Campbell. I saw him in court many times over that brief period. More than 40 years later, having now seen thousands of lawyers in full courtroom flight, I can say Doug was bested in skills and talent only by two lawyers: Ian Sc...more

Douglas took me under his wing at Day Wilson Campbell when I first arrived in Canada fresh off the boat from England in August 1977, and then at Bastedo Cooper Shostack 'til 1985. Those years were the most memorable in my working career with Douglas, the highlight being when we worked for a major courier company successfully acquiring their licenc...more

Doug was a brilliant lawyer as I found out early on that he was very well respected among his peers. I always valued his expertise and passion for the law anytime I had an opportunity to speak to him. Keeping him and the family in our thoughts and prayers. -Melissa and Stephane McRoberts

I had the very good fortune of moving next door to Doug at 79 Braemar Avenue in the early 70's. He lives on in the many happy memories of our chess matches, squash games, sailing adventures, ski trips, lunches & dinners. Doug was an exceptional lawyer & provided wise counsel on many issues over many years. It was an honour to have him a friend. May...more

What sad news.Doug ,when i articled at DWC , introduced me to tips about advocacy, iife, pickled eggs and draft beer at the Rex . We swapped stories about our African experiences . He also introduced me to the mysteries of libel litigation . David Potts

Doug was a brilliant (smartest person I have ever known), kind, charming, generous and very proud man. I have wonderful memories of Cozumel, the Messiah, Stony Lake. We shared may good times with friends, eating, laughing, sailing and "The Hunt for Red October".

Where to start? Outstanding legal mind and strategist - could cut through all the noise and confusion of a complex case faster than anyone else I knew. Endlessly generous with his time with lawyers, legal assistants, law students and staff. Not one to stand on ceremony. Treated everyone the same way - respectfully and with humour. Also treated doc...more

DOUGLAS C. McTAVISH, Q.C. Brief Biographical Summary Seasoned administrator, litigator and trial advocate o Specializing in administrative law and commercial litigation o Has appeared at every level of the Court on numerous noted occasions Extensive experience o Ontario Highway Transport Board on transportation regulation o Law Society of Uppe...more

I will miss him. He was my oldest brother and my leader. I had three brothers, now I have two. Doug was born five years ahead of me but after a while the age thing didn’t matter, I was in the gang, the group, the neighborhood rabble, whatever. Doug had no fear and a ton of confidence. As a kid I didn’t know what those two words meant but I saw...more

When I heard that Douglas passed away I had just come back from a camping trip that had reminded me of him and the times my mom, my sister and I spent at his cottage on Stony Lake. I have great memories from that time. Douglas taught me to sail and a few times pulled me behind the sail boat! He was so generous by making us feel so welcome at his c...more

As an insolvency practitioner I met Doug @BC in the 80,s and he stuck like gum on your shoe since. He loved his daughter Kate, their scuba forays all over, his cottage at Stoney Lake with its windmill, his sailing, a few "pops" and at the top of the list was being a damn good lawyer. As to his sailing, he always bemoaned the fact that he was never...more

Stony Lake was a wonderful place to spend summers as I did with my family for years. There were always one or two storms with ferocious winds that would knock out the power lines leaving everyone desperate to keep refrigerated food cold and frozen food, especially ice cream, frozen. Doug relished these storms as they had no electricity on the isl...more

Hi Kate - I’m so sorry to learn that Doug is gone. You were a wonderful daughter to him and I have great respect and admiration for all that you did to ease his life. And you truly were the apple of his eye. Doug was the finest lawyer I’ve ever known, a great mentor and the best company one could ask for. Period. Full stop. End of discussion. T...more

Doug and I were good friends at law school and for many years thereafter. Regular Chinese lunches on Elizabeth Street were a highlight of the week. Unfortunately we lost track of each other in recent years. Please let me know when you will have a gathering to celebrate Doug's life.

Doug, whom I'd known since Jr High, rushed me into the DU fraternity in the spring of '61. We drove across Canada (and parts of the states) together in my little Anglia in about 2 1/2 days, mid-summer '66, when he was returning to law school and I was beginning grad studies at U of T. We shared an apt with two others on Kendal Ave, Toronto - and th...more

DCMcTQC - A Gonzo Gone McT “loved the law” and all that it entailed for “leading counsel”, to which category, he properly included himself. The rustle of silk at Osgoode Hall, an exciting and superb argument or cross examination and the celebrations and wakes that inevitably followed “as night follows day”. He would illegibly scribble a couple...more