DAVIS, Thomas R.M. 1947 – 2021

Thomas Robin MacLeod (« Tam ») Davis, a prominent Montreal lawyer, has passed away, aged 73, in Knowlton, Quebec.

As a boy, Tam grew up in Montreal and attended Bishop’s College School in Lennoxville, Quebec. Upon graduating from McGill with his B.A. in History, he went abroad to the Sorbonne in Paris, where he took a diploma in French Civilization. Choosing a career in law, he returned to McGill, where he obtained his B.CL and later, his LL.B.

Principled and soft-spoken, Tam was held in high regard by his colleagues and confrères, noted as both a gentleman and a gentle man when putting his point across. Grateful for the mentoring he received as a young lawyer at Laing Weldon in Montreal, he was, in turn, a mentor to younger lawyers who worked with him as a partner at McCarthy Tétrault and later Ogilvy Renault and its successor firm, Norton Rose Fulbright. A leader in his field, his practice took him in fascinating directions over five decades, spanning real estate to business law and eventually to historic provincial energy projects.

He served as a director of several organizations, including the Quebec Bar, the McCord Museum Foundation, Valleytank Inc, the Mont Echo Conservation Association and Tempo, a community newspaper in Knowlton. Whatever his occupation, large or small, he brought his heart to its pursuit.

A Renaissance Man of his own style, Tam’s many passions encompassed antiquity, philosophy, history, wine, food and mastery of the grill. Through sheer determination he conquered the art of Christmas turkey on the barbecue. He embraced his Scottish heritage with kilted gusto. He loved to entertain, to dance, and prided himself on setting the perfect table.

He and his wife Marie Josée shared a love of the outdoors, where they enjoyed hiking, gardening, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. They travelled extensively around the world; France and Italy were favourites among their adventures. Tam skied the Canadian Ski Marathon for many years – a gruelling cross-country ski trip from Lachute to Ottawa – a tradition that he continued with his son, Alexander.

Tam Davis was born in Montreal on June 30, 1947. He died on April 29, 2021. He is survived and will be missed by his wife Marie Josée Meekers, his children Alexander (Karen) and Dominique (Stephen), his niece and his nephews, his granddaughter Pyrrha as well as the mother of his son, Claudette Bellemare. He was predeceased by his sister, Susan (Jerry) and his brother, Christopher.

There will be a celebration of Tam’s life at a future date. In lieu of flowers, his family welcomes donations in Tam’s memory to the McCord Museum Foundation or Maison Au Diapason (Bromont).Arrangements entrusted to the
Désourdy Funeral Home
101 rue Jean-Besré
Cowansville, QC J2K 0L3
T: 450-263-1212, www.desourdy.ca