Thomas J. Burchell

It is with deep sadness that the family of Thomas J. Burchell, QC-( 65 ) announces his passing on Aug. 8th, 2010. Tom was the son of the late Charles W. and Brenda Burchell. He is survived by his wife Sonja Burchell (Meisner, Andersen), sons Jeff (Sarah), Andrew (Alanna), step sons Jason Meisner (Melissa) and Aaron Meisner (Vicki), granchildren Will, Riley, Juliet, and Quinn Burchell, and Aidan and Wesley Meisner. Also by brothers Charles Burchell (Leanne) and Arthur Burchell, and nephew Charles Edward Burchell (Sonia). Tom was predeceased by his first wife Susan (Haylock) and son T.Scott.

Tom was an avid outdoorsmen, having enjoyed years of fly fishing, hunting, tennis, boating, waterskiing, and much more. One of his favourite achievements was teaching and "certifying" exactly 404 people to waterski at the family cottage in Hubbards. He also spent time at Glenelg Fishing Club where he taught Andrew's buddies how to shoot skeet, throw a fly line and entertain the "Sky-High Jackers"; a group of professional know-it-alls who were always working to improve the camp. Tom spent time in Blandford enjoying the beautiful sunsets, often boating from Deep Cove on Mahone Bay's South Shore.

Tom was a partner with Burchells Law Firm in Halifax, NS. He attended public schools in Halifax and graduated from Dalhousie University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and received his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1969. He articled with Burchells and was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1969. In 1985, Tom was appointed Queen’s Counsel.

Tom practiced the areas of Estate Planning and Probate, Real estate, Civil Litigation and Administrative Law. He has lectured on Real Estate Law and Civil Procedure with the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society Bar Admissions Course and on general topics with the Dartmouth Board of Education. Tom was elected President of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society for the 1997-98 term, and served on the Executive Committee of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society for a number of years. He served on a number of Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society committees from 1988 to 2005. He has acted as Chair of the Trust Accounts Committee, Chair of the Discipline Committee, Chair of the Discipline Policies and Procedures Committee, and Chair of the Discipline Hearing Subcommittee. Tom was active outside the legal community. He has served on a number of civic and charitable organizations including the Nova Scotia Commission on Drug Dependency and the Pine Hill Divinity Hall Board of Governors, and as the Group Committee Chair for the Scout Movement at Fort Massey Church. Additionally, Tom was a life member of the Halifax-Dartmouth Salvation Army Advisory Board and had been a member of the Rotary Club of Halifax since 1974, and a director for a number of years, where he was recently honoured recipient of the Paul Harris Award.

Visitation Thursday, August 12th from 7-9pm at J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr., Halifax. All are welcome. Funeral service 1pm Friday, August 13th at Fort Massey United Church (corner of Queen and Tobin St-Halifax, NS) . Private family internment to follow. A celebration of his life will be held at Pier 21- Terminal Rd., Halifax, NS from 3:00-6:00pm.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Tom's favourite organizations: the T.Scott Burchell Memorial Fund (Fort Massey United Church), Rotary Club of Halifax, Fort Massey United Church, Boy Scouts of Canada, or a charity of your choice. Please visit www.jasnowfuneralhome.com