Obituary of Ged Tillmann
Ged (Gerard) Thomas Tillmann Born May 1st, 1949 – Died April 27th, 2024.
Ged died peacefully at the age of 74, in St. Joseph’s Hospice surrounded by his loved ones, after an unexpected diagnosis of cancer. He was a lifelong resident of London, ON, a loving husband and father, and a passionate lawyer. He took great joy in his summers spent at the family cottage in Bayfield and in his years as a camper/counsellor at Camp Hurontario.
Ged goes forward, predeceased by his parents William A. - 1998 and Anne H. (Smith) - 2013 and his in-laws Ernest - 1989 and Toni (Moreau) - 1998 Bogart. He is survived by his wife Jane (Bogart), his sons, Benjamin and Bourke (Mika), his siblings; Pegi McCrea (Rob), Mary Pat Dancyger (Gerry), Judy Gmeiner (Bart), Catherine, Paula Peirce (Richard), Babs Schenck (Lou), Bill (Gill), and Richard, his siblings in-law; Tom (Kathy), Ron (Maria), Danielle, Denise Wittmann (Frank), Julie Holmes (Tom), and Matthew (Delilah), and his lifelong friend Michael Nolan (Ingrid). Also survived by many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and dozens of cousins from the Tillmann, Smith, and Bogart families.
Ged was a proud Western Alumni graduating from King’s College in 1971. He undertook his legal training at the University of Windsor, graduating from the Faculty of Law in 1976 and was called to the Bar in 1978. Throughout his more than forty-year career, Ged fostered meaningful relationships built on respect, civility, compassion, humility, and mentorship, earning himself the nickname “the Gentleman Lawyer”. A talented lawyer and partner at Pensa & Associates (later known as Harrison Pensa LLP), Ged had a diverse litigation practice ranging from insurance defence work, property loss, and commercial and general liability to Aboriginal/First Nations matters and land claims. His talents and expertise allowed him to successfully represent these claims to the Supreme Court of Canada.
In preparation for his retirement, Ged focused on sharing his love of law with future generations. He was a gifted mentor and taught several courses at Fanshawe College as a professor in their School of Public Safety. His students appreciated his experience, sense of humour, and fair handed treatment. His love of teaching was evident to all who had the opportunity to be in his class, and even after his diagnosis he remained determined to return to the lecture hall in the fall.
In addition to his legal practice, Ged was a strong supporter of the legal community. He was an active member of the Canadian Bar Association, Advocates Society, Law Society of Upper Canada, Ontario Bar Association, and a member and former Trustee of the Middlesex Law Association. Upon retiring from practice, Ged continued to support the legal community. He provided his professional expertise as an adjudicator for the Health Professional Appeal and Review Board, the Health Services Appeal and Review Board, and the Province of Ontario Dispute Resolution Services and continued to serve until the beginning of 2024.
Ged also took great pride in being a lifelong Londoner, displaying his love of the city every chance he had. He was always active in the community serving as a board member for numerous organisations including Community Living in London, Dads CAN, Parkwood Hospital Ethics Committee, and Friendships in Action, to name but a few. He also greatly valued the bonds of friendship he forged growing up in the city. During his late teens Ged was one of the founding members of River City and the River City Croquet Club, an affiliation of friends from North London. River City has withstood the test of time and still exists today with long lasting friendships and associations.
Most of all, Ged loved to be around his family and friends. He loved discussing politics, sports (a proud, unwavering Detroit Tigers and Red Wings fan), the latest book he had on the go, and demonstrating his technical prowess at bi-weekly Zoom calls with his siblings. He loved a good party, especially those that included dancing to Motown music and showing off his smooth dance moves. Ged loved his family deeply. He loved Jane, his wife and partner of more than 44 years and all their travelling adventures. He was very proud of his sons and their tremendous accomplishments. He sought out every excuse to be with them, to lovingly annoy them, and to learn about the latest gossip in their lives. Ged was also forever a fixture in the lives of his sisters and brothers. Both as the number one son and the top of the heap of the nine siblings.
But what Ged was most known as was a constant and true friend to us all.
On Ged’s behalf, his family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to the staff at St. Joseph’s Hospice for their compassion and the care they provided to him over his final days. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ged’s memory can be made to St. Joseph’s Hospice London (https://www.sjhospicelondon.com/donate-now), the Canadian Cancer Society (https://cancer.ca/en/ways-to-give/in-memory-and-in-honour-donations), or Bayfield Pioneer Park (https://pioneerpark.ca/donate/).
Visitors will be received at John T. Donohue Funeral Home, 362 Waterloo Street at King Street, on Monday, May 6th from 5:30–8:00pm. The Funeral Mass will be held at The Chapel at Windermere on the Mount, 1486 Richmond Street, on Tuesday morning, May 7th at 11:00am.
In celebration of Ged's life and joyous spirit we ask that you skip the black and dress in your favourite colours.
