WATERS, Donovan W. M., KC, FRSC -
1928 - 2023
Donovan Waters passed away on September 9, 2023 in Ottawa, Canada, at the age of 95, after a long life of personal happiness and professional fulfilment.
Donovan was born in Brighton, England, and studied law at Oxford University and the University of London.
He pursued a career as a professor of law and a legal scholar at universities in England and Canada, including McGill University and the University of Victoria.
After retirement as emeritus professor, he practiced law for over two decades as counsel for law firms in Vancouver and Victoria. He combined great scholarship with a love and flair for teaching, garnering a devoted contingent of students over the years who still remember his lectures and laugh at his jokes.
Donovan's academic achievement was recognized with two honorary doctorates and a DCL from Oxford University, as well as a lifetime achievement award from STEP International.
Donovan had a very happy family life; married for 57 years to his late beloved wife, Maryla. He is survived by their three children, Catherine, Anne-Marie and Alastair; and their four much-loved grandchildren, Jonah, Alex, Benjy and Claire.
He was a loving, gentle and generous father and grandfather, who could talk to his family about esoteric subjects and then burst into song.
He and Maryla had a rich life of travel, the arts, family, and a great number of wonderful friends in Victoria, across Canada, England and all around the world.
Although Donovan's family and friends mourn his passing, we celebrate his long and happy life and his legacy of love, friendship and scholarship.
A celebration of life will be held at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria BC on Friday, November 10, 2023 at 2 p.m.
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