In Memoriam

David Michael Mills Goldie, BCom’46

Michael Goldie passed away peacefully in Vancouver in his 88th year on March 21, 2012. Predeceased by his beloved wife of 58 years, Lorraine Catherine Conway Goldie, BA’44, Michael is survived by his children: Diana, David (Suzan Ross), Mary (Peter Voormeij) and Christopher (Nada Darwiche); grandchildren, Michael, Tessa and Laith; and his sister-in-law Jill Conway.

Michael was born in Toronto in 1924, arriving in BC three years later where he grew up very happily on Bowen Island. After graduating from Kitsilano High School, he attended UBC in 1941, but left to join the Army in 1943. Following his service he completed his BCom and attended Harvard Law School.

On March 27, 1948, Michael and Lorraine were married in New York with Tony Scott as best man and subsequently returned to Vancouver where Michael began practicing with MacDougal, Morrison & Jestley.

He later joined BC Power, became General Solicitor for BC Electric, and in 1961 joined Russell & DuMoulin, where he began a stellar career as a counsel spanning 30 years. He became the professional leader of the firm and reached national prominence as counsel in a number of the leading constitutional cases respecting the division of powers and the patriation of the constitution in the 1980s. Much of his work was in the BC Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada, where he argued dozens of cases following his first appearance in 1953.

In 1991, Michael was appointed to the BC Court of Appeal and after retiring from the court at age 75, he returned to Fasken Martineau DuMoulin. Michael was a founding governor of the Law Foundation of BC, a valued participant in the Cambridge Lectures of The Canadian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies, a member of the Canada-US Legal Exchange, and a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Away from work Michael was an avid sailor and enjoyed long walks and hikes at home and abroad. He took pleasure in his large library, music, and, particularly in more recent years, a good day on Bowen surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Michael was a scholar, sailor, soldier and a gentleman who had the respect and admiration of his peers and colleagues. His children and grandchildren are indebted to him for his wisdom, generosity and love. He will long be remembered.