Robert Garton Ward

“You have the sun, you have the moon, you have the air that you breathe - and you have the Rolling Stones!” Keith Richards

On February 18, 2025, our dear Bob (aka Robert/Rob) passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. Bob suffered from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a cruel disease with no treatment or cure. While we are heartbroken, we are grateful he is in a better place and is no longer suffering.

Bob is dearly missed by his wife Kari Boyle, children David (Lauren) and Samantha (Adam), their mother Kathi, stepchildren Kirsten (Connor) and Rebecca (Andrew), sister Carol (Bruce) and family, and angel-dog Duncan.

Bob was born in Wilmslow U.K. and came to Canada in 1949 with his father, Sherwell Garton Ward, mother Rye Jean Ward (nee Penny) and sister Roberta Carolyn (Carol) Ward. Bob grew up in Markham Ontario where he discovered his love for curling and fast cars. After graduating from Western University Law School on the Dean’s List in 1968 he moved to Vancouver for the better winter weather. He immediately found articles and in 1971 joined Edwards, Kenny & Bray where he practiced corporate commercial litigation for 45 years. 

Bob was a devoted father to David and Sam and a loving husband to Kari. His primary passion was boating, particularly being Captain of Louisa cruising in Desolation Sound and the Gulf Islands. He had many other passions including curling (always followed by beer with his teammates in the Senior Men’s league at Vancouver Curling Club), trips to Mexico (he studied hard and was quite fluent in Spanish), and cheering on the Canadians baseball team at Nat Bailey Stadium. He was an accomplished athlete. In addition to curling, he played baseball and coached Dave and Sam’s teams, was a runner and swimmer (even with the jellyfish in Von Donnop Inlet), and played a solid game of tennis. His love for the Rolling Stones was legendary and contagious. He attended at least seven of their concerts including the Vancouver show in July 2024.

As a lawyer, Bob was highly regarded by both his clients and his colleagues. His sharp intellect allowed him to find practical solutions to complex legal problems. His collaborative leadership style endeared him to a long list of young lawyers who he mentored with patience, humility, compassion and wisdom. “He never judged and was always there to help”. He really cared and worked to build their confidence. He received a Q.C. designation in 2009 but was most proud of being a recipient of the Peter S. Hyndman Mentoring Award in 2011. 

We will all miss the mischievous twinkle in his eye and his wry sense of humour. He made us all better people.

We are grateful for the expert and compassionate care from the North Shore Palliative Care team, the kind caregivers from VCH and Living Well (especially Jossie and Hiede) and the many friends and family who visited him in these last few years.

Bob’s ashes will be scattered from a boat in a private family gathering and a celebration of Bob’s life will be planned for a later date.

If you would like to make a donation, please consider CurePSP.org, Pacific Parkinson’s Research Institute or Union Gospel Mission. We also invite you to share thoughts or memories of Bob in the condolence section below.

“It’s Alright, I’m Jumping Jack Flash it’s a Gas Gas Gas” Jumping Jack Flash” – 

The Rolling Stones