Sadly, we announce the passing of Justice Wilfred R. Dupont (retired) on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at the age of 98. Wilf was predeceased by his brother Dave, his two sisters Wilma and Lillian as well as his daughter Louise (Eric) and grandson Jason. Wilf is survived by Jeannine, his wife of 68 years, his sister Dorothy, his remaining children Linda (Tom), Julie, Dave (Linda), Denise and Richard. He also leaves behind 8 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Wilf was born in Foleyet, Ontario to Alex and Aldea Dupont and was raised along with his three sisters and brother in Northern Ontario. As a young teenager, Wilfred worked in the mines of South Porcupine, became a radio announcer in Rouyn, Quebec and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force where he became a navigator and received an officer’s commission. At the end of the war, Wilf obtained his high school diploma through correspondence and was later admitted to Osgoode Hall Law School from which he graduated in 1951. He began his legal career with Greg Evans law firm in Timmins, Ontario and went on to establish his own legal practice in Cochrane, where he also served as Crown Attorney for the District of Cochrane.
On February 11, 1956, Wilf married Jeannine Levesque of Hearst, Ontario. Together they raised 6 children in Cochrane.
At age 40, Wilf was appointed as a federal judge for the District of Cochrane. During his time in Cochrane, Wilf was very involved with the local catholic school board, Timmins police board as well as the Chamber of Commerce.
As well as his love of the law and for his family, Wilf loved to fly his airplane. He would fly to many remote locations for hunting and fishing as well as to his cottage. Wilf also had a love of trees and nature. In his youth he played guitar in a band. At home he shared his love of blues, semi classics, and bluegrass music, always encouraging his children to play instruments themselves.
In 1978, Wilf was appointed to the Supreme Court of Ontario and moved to Toronto. He was also a member of the Ontario Review Board.
After retiring from the bench in 1988, Wilf was appointed to the Canadian Transportation Safety Board, as well as being a participant in cases to the International Criminal Court.
The family will be forever grateful for the loving care of Medha, Sandeep, Angela and the other psw’s, as well as Joyce, all from Elcare Health Services, who made it possible for Wilf to remain comfortable in his own home for the past few years.
Cremation has taken place. A Funeral Mass will be held in St. John the Evangelist Church, 16066 The Gore Road., Caledon, Ontario, on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 11:00 am. Interment of cremated remains in St. John’s Cemetery. The service will be followed by a small reception at Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street South, Bolton, Ontario.
Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Wilf are asked to consider I Have Resolve Foundation (IHaveResolve.com), a charity created in the memory of his grandson Jason, to help others with muscular dystrophy.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Krista Lloyd
My condolences to all of the family. RIP
Krista Lloyd (Venning)
Albert, Kathy & Derek Clarkson
Our condolences to Mrs Dupont and family
God Bless
Dave & Patricia Hughes
Sending condolences and hugs to Mrs. Dupont and Family.
We are sorry to hear about the passing of Judge Dupont. It was a privilege to know Wilfred. A legacy of generosity, and kindness, will always be remembered.
Janine Lecours
Nos condoléances à Tante Jeannine et toute la famille. Quoiqu’on ne vous voyait pas souvent, surtout les dernières années, la visite des Dupont était toujours plaisante. Love, Janine et Ben x0x
Elmer smith
Condolences to Jeannine and the whole family. Wilf and I go back a long way as judges on Cochrane bench and later in supreme court in Toronto. Many very fond memories.
Marielle Dinelle Emond
I walk often by your home in Cochrane wondering where you are…and if you are all doing well. I wish you all wonderful memories to comfort you during this time of sorrow. My sincere condolences, Marielle
Linda Belanger Blackwell
My sincere condolences to the whole family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. My favourite memories were skidoo rides he would take the neighbourhood kids on and the air plane ride he took me on. So many good memories with the whole family. May he rest in peace.
Marielle Kirzinger nee Caouette
Dear Mrs. Dupont and family. I am saddened to hear about your loss. I have many ,many wonderful memories of being neighbours in Cochrane. Please know you are all in my prayers.
Marilyn Bondy
I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the whole DuPont family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Linda, I’m so sorry for your loss.
Wendy Dodds
Irene Slater of Cochrane and girls Wendy, Catherine and Johanna would like to offer our condolences to his wife and family
Rosemary Stevens
My sincere sympathy to al l of His Honor Justice Duponts family and friends. It my pleasure to sell the Dupont home when the family moved to Toronto.
Take care all of you. I also had the family’s baby grand piano in my home until I moved to Cadence.
Judi and Greg Toal
sending our sincere condolences to the DuPont Family
Judi & Greg Toal
thinking of your family at this time. sincere Sympathies.
Larry palangio
On to the next adventure.
A Furbacher
Dear Jean, Julie and the Dupont Family, on behalf of my Family I wish to offer our most sincere condolences. Justice Dupont (Wilf) was a dear friend and mentor and will be sadly missed. So many good memories hunting, fishing and good conversations re work and life. He was a good friend to me and my Father. We had many good lunches and vivid conversations at Mandarin.
There are very few people that are as accomplished as Justice Dupont!
A good Christian who had a big heart and was always willing to help.
I’m sure Good has welcomed him “ my good and faithful servant…a job well done”
Alan Furbacher and Family
Denis Robin
Awe…my deepest condolences to the entire family
I still remember you all very well
My dearest condolences for Louise also
Claudette Fournier
My deepest condolences to my beautiful friend Julie, her dear Mother & family.
Claudette Fournier
Robert Comstock
To Jean and the Dupont family, I offer my condolences on the loss of your husband and father and my good friend Wilf. I fondly remember our adventures flying and fishing and will miss reminiscing with Wilf about the good old days. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time.
Janice Kroft
Heartfelt condolences to my dear friend Julie and family. Holding you in thought and keeping you in prayer.
Janice Kroft
Anne Dupuis
Nos pensées et nos prières vous accompagnent dans ces moments de deuil.
Famille Normande (Ronald), Roberte, Anne et Marc Dupuis – Cochrane ON
Margaret Dupuis
My deepest condolences to the DuPont family . I have many fond memories of Judge DuPont during my time with the family as Dave’s high school sweetheart. The judge was very kind to me . I recall being flown to the cottage, lots of family dinners, outings, and Christmas celebrations with this wonderful family . I will always remember his hearty laugh, smiles and corny jokes. He was a lovely man who lived his best life.
Jamie Wilcox
I am sorry to hear of Wilf’s passing. I knew him from the Ontario Review Board, where we often presided together at hearings. I was a lawyer at the time and benefitted from his experience and advice. I marvelled at his intellectual and physical abilities even in his senior years and enjoyed our conversations. He encouraged me to apply to the bench and attended my swearing in as a judge in Haileybury in 2010, having driven from Thunder Bay to do so on his way home from ORB hearings! For all of that, I owe him a debt of gratitude. Regretfully, we had little contact after I left the board. I hope that he continued to enjoy life and that he left his family with many happy memories. Please take care.