Hudson Noel JANISCH

Hudson was predeceased by his father, John Ralph (Jack) Janisch and Margaret (Pat) Janisch, as well as his sisters, Jane and Fiona. He is survived by his former wife, Alice, daughter, Ellen (Colin) and his beloved grandchildren, Carl and Adele. Hudson was born in Cape Town, South Africa and enjoyed its beauty and most of all its fishing. Some of his favourite memories were of family trips to Water's Edge on the Cape Peninsula and to Hermanus. Even more adventurous journeys were to the mid-Atlantic island of Saint Helena, which was both an ancestral visit, as he was descended from a governor of the island, and an opportunity for wonderful tuna and marlin fishing. He also had many stories about the family dachshunds, especially Bella, which led to a lifelong love of dogs. While he would always love South Africa, the political situation was untenable and, after graduating in law at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, he moved overseas to continue his education.

He graduated from Cambridge University and earned a JSD degree at the University of Chicago, both on scholarships. His doctoral thesis was on Chinese immigration and the US Constitution in the nineteenth century. He and Alice moved to Canada where he began a professorship at the University of Western Ontario in 1968, and welcomed their daughter three years later. After a stop at Dalhousie University, he moved to the University of Toronto where he taught from 1978 to 2004, especially administrative, tort and telecommunications law. He co-authored a widely-used textbook, lectured around the world, taught engineers legal issues, influenced government policy and, latterly, supervised doctoral students, which he described as an "incredible joy". He also chaired the Consumers’ Association of Canada’s Regulated Industries Program, acted as adviser to the Senate of Canada committee reviewing a new Telecommunications Act in the early 1990s, and was consulted by telecommunications companies.

After he retired, he continued to teach at the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria law schools and was appointed the inaugural TransCanada Chair in Administrative and Regulatory Law at the University of Alberta (2010-2012). His work in administrative law, especially telecommunications, was significant; in 2005, he was inducted into Canada’s Telecommunications Hall of Fame. He was especially proud of the teaching awards he received from students over the years.

He retired to Oak Bay, where he enjoyed the beautiful and ever changing view of the sea. He wrote his memoirs, especially concentrating on his early years and family history in South Africa and Saint Helena. He enjoyed the Oak Bay community with many walks up to the village, to Willows Beach and along the seashore, stopping at favourite benches to rest and enjoy the sun. When not reading and rereading from his constantly growing library, he appreciated the company of friends and family, continuing the conversations of a lifetime. He shared his loves of the sea, of reading and of discussion with his grandchildren and took a great interest in their activities and wellbeing, He provided great support to his daughter and was a stimulating conversation partner.

His family thanks the staff at VIHA and Royal Jubilee Hospital and his friends in Oak Bay, especially Moira. Donations may be made in his memory to Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Border or to the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto at https://uoft.me/Janisch with a view to establishing a permanent fund to support students.

A gathering of remembrance will be held at a later date in Victoria.