Thurlow Bradbrooke Smith, Q.C. December 30, 1931 - March 30, 2024

Thurlow Bradbrooke Smith (“Brad”), age 92, of Burritt’s Rapids, Ontario, died peacefully at home on March 30 with his wife, Renée (Röell), by his side.

Brad was born in Toronto on December 30, 1931 to Florence Nash Smith (Bradbrooke) of Yorkton, Saskatchewan, and John Forhan Smith of Guysborough, Nova Scotia. He was raised in Hamilton and graduated from Mount Allison University in 1952. In addition to earning both a law degree and a master’s degree in history from Dalhousie University, Brad studied at the University of London and the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva.

Brad was a committed public servant, working for the Department of Justice in Ottawa from 1958 until 1986 when he retired from his post as Chief General Counsel. He subsequently joined Stikeman Elliot LLP, where he continued to practice arbitration and international and constitutional law until his retirement. For over 35 years, Brad represented Canada at the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (Unidroit) and the Hague Conference on Private International Law. His accomplishments were extensive, among them chairing the commission responsible for developing the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. In recognition of his contributions, the Netherlands appointed Brad as Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2004.

Renée and Brad were married in Ottawa in 1960 and soon settled in Burritt’s Rapids where they lovingly restored Burritt Farm. There they raised three children, as well as scores of Shorthorn cattle, horses, chickens, bees, golden retrievers, and a donkey. By day, Brad advocated for Canada at the Supreme Court, while on evenings and weekends he would hit his stride when he donned his barn clothes to tend to his herd. He also had a diversity of other interests. Brad was passionate about sailing, having learned to sail in Hamilton Harbour as a boy. He was an early convert to running and rowed his skiff on the Rideau River. He had a unique set of daily exercises which he diligently performed in Burritt Farm’s front hall, often accompanied by a young grandchild or two and several dogs. At the age of 60, Brad began flying, eventually achieving his instrument rating, piloting his own plane out of the Smiths Falls airport and on two occasions in Australia.

In recent years, he and Renée explored the four corners of the earth, with Brad’s expansive knowledge of history providing context for their adventures. Brad had a robust sense of humour and enjoyed the company of a wide variety of friends. In his later years, however, he was perhaps at his happiest at the farm with Renée, soaking up the sun on their terrace with a newspaper or history tome in hand.

Brad is survived by his wife of 63 years, Renée; his daughter Claire of Merrickville; his son John (Mary) of Great Falls, VA; his son Philip (Alexandra) of Ottawa; and his grandchildren, Marina, Catalina, Charlotte, Isabel, Sophie, and Willem.

A celebration of Brad’s life will be held on April 18, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Burritt Farm.

In lieu of flowers, a gift may be made in Brad’s memory to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation or The Salvation Army. Brad’s family would like to extend a special thank you to his kind and selfless care team who made it possible for him to spend his final days at home.