Death Notices

CLINE, Thomas Alton Q.C. - passed away peacefully on Friday, November 25th, 2022 surrounded by family at the Norfolk General Hospital, Simcoe.  He was in his 84th year.  Beloved husband of Trudy (nee Ledgerwood) Cline.  Proud father of Steven of Toronto and Cathy (Doug) of Waterloo and devoted stepfather of Jennifer (Chris), Kerry (Elinor) and Chris (John).  Sadly missed by his daughter-in-law Beena as well as his grandchildren Ryan (Rachelle), Jayden (Brady), Jessica (Josh), Riley, Logan (Alia) and Kerala (Austin) and great-granddaughter Casey.  Survived by his brother, Robert of St. Thomas.  Predeceased by his parents Sam and Dode (nee Kell) Cline.  Tom was born and grew up in Port Rowan, Ontario.  He attended law school at the University of Western Ontario and eventually became a proud resident of Simcoe.  Tom was the founding partner of Cline, Backus & Nightingale and was proud of the work he and his colleagues offered to clients over many decades.  He was a hard worker and loved practising law, so much so that he stayed in the game until the age of 80!  During this time, he was a member of the Canadian Bar Association, Municipal and Administrative Law sections as well as Past President, Norfolk Law Association and member of the Association of District, Regional and Metropolitan Solicitors.  Early in his career, he was a Federal Prosecutor for the Department of Justice and Assistant Crown Attorney for the province of Ontario.  Especially in the later stages of his career, he and Trudy enjoyed their home in Arizona as well as their many RV trips around North America.  Tom was involved in the community in myriad ways. He was a Founding Director and Past Chair of the Norfolk General Hospital Foundation, Past President of the Simcoe Rotary Club (recipient of the Paul Harris Foundation), Restoration Chair of the St. John’s Anglican Church in Port Rowan, Past Master of the Masonic Lodge and member of the Norfolk Shrine Club.  The JASON SMITH FUNERAL CHAPEL, 689 Norfolk St. North Simcoe have been entrusted with the arrangements.  Friends, family and local community members are welcome to Tom’s Celebration of Life to be held in the spring of 2023.  Location to be announced at a later date.  Many thanks to Dr. Wynveen and the staff at Norfolk General Hospital.  In Tom’s memory, donations to The Arthritis Society would be appreciated by the family. Personal online condolences can be posted at www.smithfuneralchapel.com