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Distinguished Lawyer, Businessman, and Mentor

It is with heavy hearts that the Schulich School of Law remembers the legacy and life of Purdy Crawford who died on Tuesday, August 12 at the age of 82.   

Born in Five Islands, NS, Crawford looked fondly on his Maritime connection as he grew into being one of the country’s leading business men. With a BA from Mount Allison University and an LLB from the Schulich School of Law (formerly the Dalhousie Law School), Crawford went on to earn his Master of Laws from Harvard university and work as Chief Executive officer for Imasco Ltd. for a decade. Crawford started his Toronto practice with the firm Osler Hoskin and Harcourt LLP where he stayed for a majority of his career. During his time there, he was a key player in shaping the Canadian business community. In 2000, he was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame for his contributions to the industry.

Commitment to the Community

Crawford was dedicated to his community and fostering young talent. He was named a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2007, the highest achievement in the Order that honours a lifetime of achievement and merit to Canada and humanity at large. The Weldon tradition of giving back to the community was something that Crawford took to heart. As Dean Kim Brooks says:

“In the last 24 hours, I have received countless emails from alumni and friends of the School. What those emails recognize most is Purdy’s commitment to supporting and mentoring those around him. His willingness to advance the careers of others; to offer constructive advice at appropriate moments; and to remain ever-humble in the face of his own successes.”     

Crawford mentored a number of prominent Canadians and felt very deeply connected to helping the next generation of leaders grow into their roles. As Jim Lisson stated, “There are many of us who feel tonight we have lost the person who set a remarkable example and was most responsible for making us who we became.” 

Legacy at Schulich

Through his generous support to the Schulich School of Law, Crawford’s legacy lives on in a number of ways. The new Crawford Learning Commons in the library transformed the space into a research and tech-friendly place for students to study. The Purdy Crawford Chair in Business Law captures his concern for the evolution of business law in its academic context. The Purdy Crawford Fund for Global Financial Markets is the result of the support of friends and colleagues who witnessed his extraordinary dedication leading efforts to resolve the 2007 asset-backed commercial paper crisis as Chair of the Pan-Canadian Investors Committee. As Dean Brooks states: “Purdy was a giant in the history of this law school, and in the trajectory of the practice of corporate law in this country.”

Our condolences go out to his wife, Beatrice, and his six children. If you would like to give in memory of Purdy Crawford, please visit our alumni page to make a donation.