.
.
.
Old Boys' News

Obituary: Douglas Christian Robertson '47

Chariman of Selwyn House Board 1979-82
It is with great sadness that the family of Douglas Robertson announced his death on Christmas night, 2014, at the age of 77. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Honor MacDougall; his daughter Victoria (Marc Barbeau); son Christian (Juliana Zinger); daughter Eimile (Spiros Bouas) and eight grandchildren Mathilde, Henri, and Aymeric; Olivia, Alastair, and Oscar; Athena and Dimitri; and by his brother Angus W. Robertson. Born in Toronto and raised in Mexico, the Bahamas, and Montreal, Douglas studied law at McGill University and political science at the LSE. In 1964 he moved to Paris to run the foreign office of the law firm Phillips & Vineberg, where he later served as the firm's co-managing partner for 19 years. Throughout, he discreetly acted as trusted advisor to his many clients, whether multinationals or individuals, reminding young lawyers to be humble and that they would only fully grasp their calling when they had a client whose house was at stake. On his return to Montreal, Douglas became active in his community, first spearheading a group of concerned citizens who prevented the construction of a hydro substation in Westmount, then serving multiple terms on the city council, winning a Governor General's Award for Stayner Park, and acting as Chairman of the Board of his alma mater Selwyn House School. An accomplished sailor, Douglas also served as Commodore of the Prouts Neck Yacht Club in Maine, where he spent 25 happy summers. A force of nature known for his humour, trenchant opinions, and inexhaustible reserves of energy, Douglas was particularly fond of his country house in the Eastern Townships where he could indulge in his favourite pursuits: cooking, gardening, reading, and barking commands. His warmth, compassion, wit, pleasure in reciting literature and poetry, and generous laughter touched many lives. Douglas will be missed by his extended family, close friends, many nieces and nephews, and his cat Asperge. Funeral services will be private, and a memorial service will be announced at a later date. Donations can be made in his memory to the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Back