James Richard Gorwill LLB, QC Feb. 17, 1933-Dec. 24, 2021

James Richard Gorwill (Dick)- Passed away peacefully at his home in Oakville, Ontario. He was loving husband to Patricia (nee Atkins), his wife of 60 years, and proud father of Leslie Bontje, lan, and Sheila Burkman (Harry). Beloved grandpa to Katie, Madison and Stephanie. He was predeceased by sisters, Mary Margaret Harris and Ruth Gorwill.

Dick was born in Cochrane, Ontario to Reverend James and Mildred Gorwill. He spent his younger years in Gravenhurst and several eventful years in Toronto, once the family was moved to the Broadview and Danforth area. He delivered milk by horse and wagon in the East End, got last-minute tickets to games at Maple Leaf Gardens and he caddied for Billy Bishop in the summers.

Academically, he studied Political Science and Economics at Queen's University and graduated from the University of British Columbia Law School in 1961. In there he managed to squeeze in summers firing off cannon at Royal Military College, working as a sleeping car conductor for CP Rail and 3 years as a cub reporter for the Globe & Mail.

He moved to Lindsay, Ontario in 1963 to practise law with the Honourable Leslie Frost, former Premier of the Province of Ontario and remained there for 43 years. During that time, he was very politically active and he became increasingly involved in the wider community. His participation with the Academy Theatre Foundation, Rotary Club, Cambridge Street United Church, as Founder of the Lindsay Chapter the Boys and Girls Club of Canada, and on the Boards of the Five Counties Children's Centre, the Ross Memorial Hospital and Sir Sanford Fleming College all added his energy to the Lindsay area. While he firmly believed in public service, Dick's private passions were friends, family, fine music, travel, history and extensive stamp collecting. He was a Renaissance man in many ways.

An avid sportsman, he was a founding member of the Gull River Yacht, Bottle & Racquet Club. He played tennis every week for almost 40 years. He skied, golfed, was a devoted Toronto Maple Leafs fan and he loved his time on the water on Three Mile and Balsam Lakes. None of us will ever forget his wit, joy and devilish grin.

The Funeral Service will be a private event.