DEATH NOTICES

Thomas Pratt, who was the sweet centre of our little family, passed away on November 27, at age eighty. His was a life of love, as he received and gave it both in abundance. A graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, Tom practised his craft for more than Јfty years, extending to his clients and peers the gifts of his expertise but also the bounty of an extraordinary well of compassion. He regarded his fellow man with such intelligent, generous aЇection. He loved acting, and played on the amateur stage with sweet deliberation (Elwood P. Dowd never had it so good). He was a WWII aЈcionado who could trade knowledge with the best of them, a lover of books and dogs and pizza and current aЇairs and every perverse factoid about one Donald Trump. But his greatest source of pleasure was his family, especially his dear Susie, who took such excellent care of him and Јlled his life with light. This pair enjoyed each other̯s company for more than Јfty-eight years and anyone who spent time in their midst came away marvelling at their love story. The lucky products of their union, their son Michael and daughter Laura, always knew they were blessed to have such a special guy at the helm of their family, as were their six grandchildren, Kenya, Malindi, Finn, Kaikoura, Charlotte, and Sammy, and Michael̯s dear love, Kim. He was so proud of all of us, and, together, we were a joyful band, with Tom at the podium, leading his favourite people in a merry and earnest dance. Here was a man who was always on the verge of making a speech ̬something heartfelt and wise that was bound to bring him to tears along with the rest of us. Such a gentle, attentive soul, he had the most listening ears and the soundest advice. You were never so blessed as when he turned his whole self to your dilemma and heard you out. He looked at the world with curiosity and critical amusement and those of us fortunate enough to hear his takes always gained a smart, sentimental perspective. He wore his heart on his sleeve and made no apologies for the emotions the world stirred in him. We will miss him and be grateful for his turn in our life forever.