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.
Offer Condolence for the family of HUGH ROSS IRVINE (1944-2021)
George Fatemi
Hugh was my life-long friend. I met him in college in London. Later I stayed at his parents’ home while we both studied at McMaster Univ where we met our future wives. He was best man at my wedding and best friend throughout my years in Iran and Canada. He changed the course of my life. I thank the Lord for Hugh. May he rest in peace.
Shahrokh Daijavad
My sincerest condolences. May his soul rest in peace.
Karl Sigerist
Condolences
Janet Whitfield
I had the pleasure of working with Hugh at Travelers Acceptance. I appreciated his so very dry sense of humour and industry expertise and branding advice. My thoughts are with you.
Anne Louise and Jean-Claude Picard
We did not see each other often, but treasure those occasions when Hugh and
Joyce were visiting in Ottawa.
Renée Miller
Hugh was indeed a kind, generous, and supportive neighbour!
My sincere condolences to his family.
Roya
Hugh was my dads oldest friend. I grew up hearing stories about the warmth and kindness Hugh and his parents showed my Dad when he was new to Canada. I admired how their friendship endured over the years. I’m so sorry to hear of Hugh’s passing. He will certainly be missed.
Jean Gordon
Une grande perte. Un bon ami qui va aussi nous manquer. Toutes mes condoléances.
Jean Gordon
John Brannigan
I was fortunate to share many years with Hugh as one of the owners in our self managed condo. As Hugh’s obituary stated, he was a valuable member of our condo community and worked very hard over the years serving on the board on different occasions. I know Hugh was an avid gardener because each Spring he liked to work on the annual plantings. Each Spring, he and I would go and get the yearly annuals.
It is unfortunate that in reading Hugh’s obiturary, there were so many aspects of his life that I was not aware of.
My thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.
Peter van der Linden
When Joyce messaged me that Hugh had suffered a stroke and thing were not looking good at all I started digging in my memory and realised that the first time I met Hugh was in Burlington in June 1978. Since then we met several time, either in Canada or in Málaga, Spain. I will remember his good sence of dry humor, his love for good food and a glass of wine, his great e mails, the calendar which arrived in Spain either within a few days or within a few months, depending on the postman’s mood. Hugh, although we were not what you may call neighbours, I’m going to miss all those little things that made you a unique person. May you rest in peace. I wish Joyce and the boys all the best. My thoughts are with you
York Condo Corp 481
On behalf of the board and residents of our small condo community, we would like to offer our sincerest condolences. Hugh generously volunteered many years of dedicated service on the board of our small community. Hugh was actively involved in looking after our homes and gardens. Residents always knew we were in good hands when repairs or improvements were needed. We will miss his friendly greetings and neighbourly chats in the courtyard.
Kevin Fatemi
My deepest sympathies. Uncle Hugh visited us several times in Hamilton and Burlington and I have great memories of visits with him and his mom who lived very close to us in Burlington. I also share his love for cats .
Kevin Fatemi
My deepest sympathy .Uncle Hugh’s mom
Leddy lived very close to our house in Burlington and I’ve shared his love for cats ever since he introduced me to Orange in Toronto.
Ursula
Perhaps even the hour of death
May send us speeding on to fresh and newer spaces,
Life’s call to us will never end
Well then, heart, take leave and get well!
(Hermann Hesse – stages)
During the time when I worked as a housekeeper, Hugh showed me so much of Toronto and the surrounding area. Thanks to him and Joyce I always felt as a member of the family. In my memory I see him as a young, cheerful and always busy person who loved his family and parents above all else.
My deepest condolences
Aline Manson
En souvenir de Hugh, homme à la présence si agréable. Mes condoléances les plus sincères à Joyce et sa famille. Aline.
Diane Saint-Pierre
Joyce
Mes plus sincères condoléances à toi et à ta famille. Je pense à toi dans ces moments difficiles.
Gina Chiarella
It was with great sadness that I learned of Hugh’s passing from a friend. I worked with Hugh at Newcourt, he was a close ally in the Marketing Department. His subject matter expertise got me through many a crisis and his dry humour got me though many stressful days. We remained friends after we both left Newcourt, as we both lived in the same neighbourhood. He met my husband and we had several long coffee dates together in the ‘hood. I’ve since moved and have thought of Hugh and our times at Newcourt. My deepest condolances to Joyce and the family.