CECIL O. D. BRANSON Q.C.
April 18, 1935 – October 22, 2015
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Cecil after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He is survived by his loving wife, June, son Dennis, daughter Leslie, three grandsons, one granddaughter, two great grandchildren. Also missing him is his constant canine companion “Connie.”
Cecil was born in Victoria. Educated at University School, Victoria College, and in 1962 received his law degree at UBC. He was called to the bar at the Victoria Courthouse in 1963. He practised as a well-known and respected barrister for most of his working life, first with Sullivan, Smith & Bigelow, then with Jones, Branson Emery and Carfra. In 1977 the lure of the Vancouver legal scene took him to that city, and he joined Edwards Kenny and Bray as senior litigating partner. Cecil thrived practising law, and over the years in addition to his busy practice he lectured at three BC universities. He was a legal scholar whose home library was extensive. In 1984 he received his QC. An interest and knowledge in the growing field of arbitration led to a position as Executive Director of the B C International Arbitration Centre. In 1995 Cecil decided to move his office to a cottage on the grounds of his Salt Spring residence and arbitrate cases. He then travelled widely arbitrating international commercial cases and using the internet to adjudicate domain name disputes and other issues relating to intellectual property.
As an elected Bencher of the Law Society of BC, Cecil served on numerous committees and was appointed a Life Bencher . As an international arbitrator he served on working committees for UNCITRAL and NAFTA both dealing with drafting regulation with regard to international trade laws.
As a talented athlete, Cecil’s busy life was balanced on another court. On the tennis court his competitive nature flourished. Cecil was a long time member of the Salt Spring Tennis Association where he and his wife, June, made many friends.
Cecil wished to be cremated. There will be no funeral. A family gathering will be held at a later date for a celebration of Cecil’s life.
The family wish to thank the staff of Lady Minto Hospital, especially those in the Palliative Care Suite, the Hospice volunteers, and Dr. J. White. The care and compassion that Cecil and the family received was greatly appreciated.