Hugh Ross Irvine (1944-2021)

HUGH ROSS IRVINE (1944-2021)

Hugh died peacefully at St. Michael’s Hospital on April 29, 2021 after suffering a massive stroke the previous week. Born in London, England, Hugh came to Canada as a toddler with his war-bride mother. After graduating from McMaster University and the University of Guelph, Hugh had a long and varied career in marketing and communications at companies in a wide range of industries, including defence, retail and financial services.

Hugh was a warm and loving husband and father to Joyce, his wife for 51 years, and his three sons and daughter-in-law, Robert and Rika in Japan, and David, and Alan in Toronto. Deeply concerned with our wellbeing, he always stood by us and had a quiet word of wisdom to help us along the way.

Hugh was an enthusiastic world traveller, a voracious reader, especially of history, a keen gardener and a lover of music from classical to jazz to rock. He also had his creative side as a painter, writer and photographer. He was a valued member of our small condo community; a long-serving board member, he always did his best to make new owners feel welcome and never hesitated to help with the many chores to be done around the place. The courtyard garden was his particular passion. And, as so many photos in his collection testify, he took great pleasure in long walks through the neighbourhoods, parks and beaches of his beloved Toronto. A man who was always true to himself, he will be remembered for his kindness and generosity, his dry sense of humour, his devotion to his family and friends, and his love of life. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family across Canada and around the world.

Our heartfelt thanks to all the staff of St. Mike’s who looked after Hugh for the excellent care they provided, their honesty and their kindness to all of us.

At this time there will be no public funeral service. We plan to hold a celebration of his life at a later date.

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