John A. Tory
Encyclopedia
John Arnold Tory, QC
(March 7, 1930 – April 3, 2011) was a Canadian
lawyer and corporate executive. Born in Toronto
, he was one of two sons of John Stewart Donald Tory
. Together with his twin brother James Marshall Tory
, he entered the practice of law in 1953, later founding the firm of Tory, Tory, Deslauriers (now Torys LLP) and was appointed a Queen's Counsel
in 1965.
After successfully guiding the build-up of Torys, John ceased practising law in 1974 and began working full time for the Thomson family, first under founder Roy Thomson and then, following Roy's death in 1976, for his son Kenneth, eventually becoming President of the family's principal holding company, The Woodbridge Company
Limited. Until his death he was the president of Thomson Investments Limited. John was a friend and financial advisor of the late media magnate
Kenneth Thomson for fifty years and continued until his death to serve on the board of Thomson Reuters
, company formed by the merger of Thomson Corporation with international news service Reuters. The Globe and Mail
described him as the "sage consigliere
to the Thomson family."
He was a close friend of the late media magnate Ted Rogers
and served on the board of directors of Rogers Communications
since 1979.
Tory was also a friend to Joseph S. Atkinson
, Toronto Star
publisher. despite their political positions (Tory had ties to Conservatives and Atkinson with the Liberal Party).
Tory was educated at University of Toronto Schools
and the University of Toronto
from which he earned his law degree in 1952.
He is the father of former Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
leader John H. Tory. His other children are Jennifer (born 1955), Jeffrey (born 1960) and Michael (born 1961). He is uncle of James C. Tory, his brother's son and member of the firm.
Tory suffered a stroke on April 1, 2011 while at his Florida home and died early Sunday morning, April 3, 2011. He was 81.
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
(March 7, 1930 – April 3, 2011) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
lawyer and corporate executive. Born in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, he was one of two sons of John Stewart Donald Tory
John Stewart Donald Tory
John Stewart Donald Tory was a Toronto lawyer and founder of the law firm Torys.Born in Toronto, J.S.D. attended UTS, Harvard University , and University of Toronto Law School. Called to the Ontario bar, he was founder of the Torys law firm. His sons John A. Tory and James Marshall Tory later...
. Together with his twin brother James Marshall Tory
James Marshall Tory
James Marshall "Jim" Tory LLB is a Toronto corporate lawyer and brother to the late John A. Tory.Born in Toronto, he and his brothers are members of the firm of Torys, founded by their father John Stewart Donald Tory. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto Schools and the University of...
, he entered the practice of law in 1953, later founding the firm of Tory, Tory, Deslauriers (now Torys LLP) and was appointed a Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
in 1965.
After successfully guiding the build-up of Torys, John ceased practising law in 1974 and began working full time for the Thomson family, first under founder Roy Thomson and then, following Roy's death in 1976, for his son Kenneth, eventually becoming President of the family's principal holding company, The Woodbridge Company
The Woodbridge Company
The Woodbridge Company Limited is a Canadian private holding company and the principal and controlling shareholder of Thomson Reuters...
Limited. Until his death he was the president of Thomson Investments Limited. John was a friend and financial advisor of the late media magnate
Magnate
Magnate, from the Late Latin magnas, a great man, itself from Latin magnus 'great', designates a noble or other man in a high social position, by birth, wealth or other qualities...
Kenneth Thomson for fifty years and continued until his death to serve on the board of Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters Corporation is a provider of information for the world's businesses and professionals and is created by the Thomson Corporation's purchase of Reuters Group on 17 April 2008. Thomson Reuters is headquartered at 3 Times Square, New York City, USA...
, company formed by the merger of Thomson Corporation with international news service Reuters. The Globe and Mail
The Globe and Mail
The Globe and Mail is a nationally distributed Canadian newspaper, based in Toronto and printed in six cities across the country. With a weekly readership of approximately 1 million, it is Canada's largest-circulation national newspaper and second-largest daily newspaper after the Toronto Star...
described him as the "sage consigliere
Consigliere
Consigliere is a position within the leadership structure of Sicilian and American Mafia crime families. The word was popularized by Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather , and its film adaptation...
to the Thomson family."
He was a close friend of the late media magnate Ted Rogers
Edward Samuel Rogers
Edward Samuel "Ted" Rogers, Jr., OC was the President and CEO of Rogers Communications Inc., and the fifth richest person in Canada in terms of net worth. His father Edward S. Rogers, Sr...
and served on the board of directors of Rogers Communications
Rogers Communications
Rogers Communications Inc. is one of Canada's largest communications companies, particularly in the field of wireless communications, cable television, home phone and internet with additional telecommunications and mass media assets...
since 1979.
Tory was also a friend to Joseph S. Atkinson
Joseph E. Atkinson
-External links:*-References:...
, Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
publisher. despite their political positions (Tory had ties to Conservatives and Atkinson with the Liberal Party).
Tory was educated at University of Toronto Schools
University of Toronto Schools
The University of Toronto Schools is an independent secondary day school affiliated with the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
and the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
from which he earned his law degree in 1952.
He is the father of former Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario , is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. The party was known for many years as "Ontario's natural governing party." It has ruled the province for 80 of the years since Confederation, including an uninterrupted run from 1943 to 1985...
leader John H. Tory. His other children are Jennifer (born 1955), Jeffrey (born 1960) and Michael (born 1961). He is uncle of James C. Tory, his brother's son and member of the firm.
Tory suffered a stroke on April 1, 2011 while at his Florida home and died early Sunday morning, April 3, 2011. He was 81.