HEARN, Edward

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Edward Michael Hearn QC, loving husband, father and brother. He passed peacefully at the Toronto General Hospital on July 24, 2015. Predeceased by parents John Vincent and Mildred Frances (Shea) Hearn. Leaving to mourn his beloved wife, Grace Ann (nee Gushue) and daughters Mikhaela and Natika of Labrador City, sisters Mary Hearn Hendela and Annesta Conway, brothers James(Linda) and Joseph (Wanda),parents- in -law George and Mary Gushue of Holyrood and sisters- in- law, Helen MacDonald (Jamie), Joan Byrne (Ken), Karen Porter, Kelly Gushue, nieces and nephews James, Matthew, Taryn, John, Malaka, Tara, Joan, Emmanuel, Margarita, Lyndsey, Keira, Curtis, Melanie, Cindy, Lisa Kimberley, Michelle and Kelly, grand-nieces and grand-nephews Julia, Jakob, Owen, Ben, Alexander, Garan and Sky. He was a loyal, caring and generous friend to many. His embrace of life was far reaching touching family,friends, and colleagues through vibrant conversation, good food and wine, outdoor adventures, and bridge. He was an avid reader of history, biography and literature with an exceptional inquiring mind. His love of sport was evident in his everyday insistence on running, skiing and or playing hockey. Born in Brigus October 4, 1949. He was educated in Brigus and went on to be a graduate of Memorial University and Dalhousie Law School. After being called to the NL Bar in 1974 he joined the practice – Miller and Hearn in Labrador City. His work in the legal community transcended a local practice. He had a distinguished legal career representing the Government of NL, the City of St John’s and the Labour Relations Board in a number of cases before the Supreme Court of Canada. Most notable of these appearances was the 1984 Upper Churchill Water Rights Reversion Act case. He made frequent appearances before the Public Utilities Board representing Labrador City and other towns in Labrador. He championed the use of Section 92A of the Canadian Constitution as a means to bring additional revenue from Churchill Falls to the Province. He chaired the 2041 Group. He was acknowledged by his peers and the broader community as an expert in constitutional, administrative, aboriginal and labour law. He was a Master of the Supreme Court, Queen’s Counsel, a past president of the Law Society of NL, long time member of the Board of NL Hydro appointed by both Conservative and Liberal governments. He was a true legal scholar and one of the most outstanding lawyers of his time. Resting at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road.

Visitation will take place on Friday July 31, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will take place on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist, in St. John’s at 9:30 a.m.

Interment to follow in the R.C cemetery in Brigus. To send a message of condolence or to sign the memorial guestbook please visit www.carnells.com