Fasken senior statesman, senior mentor and colleague, Robert L. Shirriff, Q.C., passed away peacefully on April 11, in Toronto.
A pillar of the Firm’s mining practice, Robert built his brand in the industry from the ground up, trekking across northern Canada with prospectors, helping DeBeers look for the diamonds that would be the basis of their Canadian mining operations and a foundation of the Fasken mining practice.
Robert was called to the bar in 1958 and spent his entire career with the Firm. He served as Chair of the Firm’s Toronto office during the 1990’s. His client list, over the years, included SkyDome Corporation, Anglo America, the aforementioned De Beers Group, Duke Power, Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting, Molson Breweries, Norfolk Southern Railway, Placer Dome, RBC Dominion Securities, Rio Algom, The Royal Trust Company, Rio Tinto and The Toronto-Dominion Bank. While he was less active in practice in recent years, he maintained a keen interest and watchful eye on his many protégés. He formally retired from practice just last year.
Robert showed his genuine pride in this Firm and was ever so humble about his part in building it. We ask that you join us in honouring a man who has influenced so many of us.
Our condolences go out to Robert’s beloved partner and spouse Hildegard, Robert’s family and his many friends in and outside the Firm. He will be greatly missed.