Hugh Lawford Obituary

LAWFORD, Hugh - Professor, founder of QUICKLAW 

    At the Kingston General Hospital on August 17, 2009 in the presence of his family in his 76th year. Hugh, beloved husband and best friend of Lillian, father of Michele (Geoffrey Wickham), John (Sabine Modder), Mark (Virginia Romanek), step-father of Shannon (Rod Frink), and Patrick Simkins and grandfather of Aidan, Declan and Imogen Lawford-Wickham, Luka and Mattheus Lawford, Nicola, Thomas and Natasha Lawford and Bradley and Brittany Frink. He is survived by his brothers David and Alan Dahl.

Born in Edmonton, Alberta on September 8, 1933, Hugh attended the University of Alberta and after bachelor's degrees (Arts and Law) was chosen as Rhodes Scholar for Alberta in 1955. This led to his Bachelor of Civil Law degree from Oxford University. Returning to Canada, he married his first wife Diane and in 1958 joined the new Law Faculty at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. In 1962, Hugh became Queen's youngest Associate Professor. Hugh taught International and Administrative Law and subsequently was Special Assistant, first to the President of the Privy Council and then in 1964-5, to the Prime Minister. In this position, Hugh advised Lester Pearson on strategy during the "Flag Debate" that resulted in the proclamation of Canada's now-familiar red and white maple leaf flag.

Back at Queen's, Hugh started the "Treaty Project" when he discovered Canada had no list of treaties with foreign countries. This led to his creation of the QUIC/LAW project at Queen's in 1967 when Hugh realized that legal documents could be computerized and made available in a database. This insight led to his creation of QUICKLAW Inc. along with Professor Richard von Briesen in 1973. Hugh then split his time between teaching law at Queen's and building QUICKLAW into a household name in legal offices, courts and law schools. Hugh's indomitable will, work ethic and strategy led to his continuing success with QUICKLAW and at Queen's. In 2001, Hugh remarried with the love of his life Lillian, and settled into a new appreciation of life. By 2002, when Hugh sold QUICKLAW to LexisNexis, the company had over 200 employees in 12 offices in Canada and the U. S. Hugh's retirement after a brief period as President of QUICKLAW under new management was saddened by his development of Parkinson's disease, which he fought with Lillian's help and his own great strength and dignity.

Hugh loved his wife, children and grandchildren, life, work and eating at Chez Piggy restaurant in Kingston. His spirit and love of achievement will be sorely missed. A private family service will be held. A memorial service to celebrate Hugh's life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Hugh's memory may be made to the National Research Program of the Parkinson Society Canada. Online condolences and donations may be made through theJAMES REID FUNERAL HOME,at www.jamesreidfuneralhome.com.
 
Source: Kingston Whig-Standard, August 19, 2009, p. A30