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I am honoured to say a few words about Victor J. O’Connor. I have worked with Vic for 12 years now. Most of us who knew Vic knew of his razor-sharp and sarcastic sense of humour. He always had something clever to add to a conversation. I enjoyed my many discussions with Vic about rock and roll bands and music in general. Most of us who knew Vic also knew of his impeccable taste, from his clothing to every aspect of our office, his attention to detail was amazing. Even now, as I look around the office, I can see Vic’s special touches everywhere. From the artwork to the wine at our Christmas parties, Vic would ensure that everything was just right. The one thing that many of us might not know about Vic was the way his face would light up whenever he spoke of his wife and his children. Although this is a difficult time for me, I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for Vic’s family. I hope his family can take comfort from knowing how much Vic truly cared about them. I will miss Vic and I will always remember him.

– Shanna Burgess, Legal Assistant – MOI

Vic was a classy, highly intelligent, personable, friendly, enthusiastic man. The phrase may be overworked, but because it is so apt in Vic’s case, I will say it: he was the consummate gentleman.

– Chris Wallace

Vic was a true friend both in times of business and in times of play. He gave strength to myself and my family when we were dealing with our own family crisis due to illness. I feel blessed to have known Vic and to have had him as a friend. He will always be with me and will never be forgotten.

– Doug Irwin, Founder – MOI

I have had the pleasure of working with Vic for the last ten and half years for which I feel very privileged. One of the things that I admire the most about Vic was his ability to always create such a warm family-like environment at our yearly MOI Christmas parties. MOI is like a second family to most of us here and I believe it is because of Vic’s strong devotion to his colleagues and employees. Even though there were times when I knew in my heart that Vic wasn’t feeling a 100%, he always found a way to put others’ needs before his own; one example is when I use to see him in the morning I would say “How are you Vic?” and he would always reply with “I am well Dawn and how are you?”. Vic was truly a remarkable person in so many ways and I will always remember him as someone who I have the highest degree of respect for.

– Dawn Gould, Legal Assistant – MOI

Victor O’Connor touched many lives and I was no different. While assisting with a Closing at my previous firm, Vic personally introduced himself to me and shook my hand. I was pleasantly surprised that among all the other important people present, he made it a point to meet me. What a “nice guy” I thought. Shortly after I received a call and was told that their client wanted to see me. I shrugged it off but always wondered if that client was Vic O’Connor. He was the only person who stood out in my mind through my work and I promised myself I would contact him. That call changed my life. It was indeed Vic and he had a wonderful talent for recognizing potential in people and how their strengths could be great additions to the MOI Family. When Vic and I met again he said that if I joined the firm I would not regret it because it was different and like no other. And he was right. From Day One, when Vic was in the office he would always smile at everyone and ask how we were, no matter how busy he was or how awful he felt. He always seemed to put others ahead of himself. After a couple of months at MOI I truly felt like I found my place. Now, seven years later, coming to MOI was the best decision I ever made and for that, Victor O’Connor, I will be eternally grateful. I will miss your kindness, your respect and overall, your genuine smile.

– Daisy Leung, Legal Assistant – MOI

I’m so grateful that Vic was my mentor when I embarked on my career. He had wonderfully high standards. He lived-up to those standards with style and grace and always treated my achievement of those standards as a cooperative exercise. We are so influenced by the traits and qualities of the people around us. We strive to be like those we admire most. Their voices echo in our mind’s ear when things get rough. For so many, Vic’s voice will always be there, guiding us. What a gift.

A few memories: Vic trying-out the drywallers’ stilts on a Saturday morning during one of the many office renovations he presided over; attending a Crystal Palace match in Croydon with Vic and his Uncle; Vic suggesting to the IT guys that they run a “level one diagnostic” pretty much whenever a computer went down; Vic’s patience; Vic’s pen hovering over a letter...

– John McLeod

I am no one to critique a golf swing but I must express doubt to this approach, the eventual swing was not pretty and as for the result I will let you guess. The embarrassing part about the result is that it was good enough this day for the honourable Mr. O’Connor to have his name on the “Okanagan Cup”, an ongoing competition that will have to be resumed at a later date. I am concerned that his new foursome will include Ben, Byron and Paine. Vic, you should no doubt be able to improve your game. You have left us for now but you have left us with incredible and treasured memories. Golf games will always be in your honour and every sip of wine will provide a reminder of your friendship.

– Eduardo

It is a great honour to have worked with Vic but extremely difficult to use words to describe him, as he truly was a rare, gifted individual. He was a remarkable lawyer, an amazing mentor and a proud father and husband. Not only was he well known, but he was extremely well respected. His reputation preceded him. When it came to work, he was extremely supportive and always took out time for me. On a personal level, he was extremely clever and witty. One special memory I share with Vic is our fondness for Globey, the Harlem Globetrotters mascot. I also remember the time when he broke out into a dance in my office to “I feel good” by James Brown because I didn’t know who James Brown was. It was those types of things that made Vic so memorable and so likeable. Although I can’t help but feel sad each time I think of his passing, I will value the lessons he taught me – that life is to be valued and life is to be lived. Vic raised the bar for all of us here at MOI and I think he would be extremely proud to know that we will all carry on with our work and our lives with a little bit of “Vic O’Connor” in us.

– Raman Gill

I met Vic in 1995/96 when taking my first company public. At the time he was reviewing the offering documents for our agent and this chance engagement was my first opportunity to realize and appreciate an incredible person; I was struck by his enormously supportive and personable nature. In the fleeting space of time since then and now there have been some very low moments for me when markets were abysmal and trying to be “entrepreneurial” meant life was pretty hard. Vic never ceased to amaze me with his enthusiasm for ideas, making things happen, and having fun. David, John and I went on to list a new company in 2002 (see attached pic) and its continued success is due in part to Vic’s guidance and council. Since then, we have stopped all too few times to take lunch and celebrate successes and milestones and I am sad to have missed other opportunities to see him in person. It is clear from the writings on the Celebration of a Life Well Lived page that he had similar impacts on other people’s lives; Vic was a great man and a great friend with an unabashed enthusiasm for doing great things. Many, many thanks Vic.

– Scott

I met Vic when he first began practicing law...he was one of my articling students. But Vic was never ‘just’ one of my articling students. I don’t recall that I ever said it to his face but during that year I actually began to refer to him as “my golden boy” because he had it all...every skill and trait required to practice law very, very well.

About halfway through his articles I asked Vic “Wanna be a securities lawyer...think it over” and Vic began working exclusively with me within our Securities Group, first as articled student, then associate lawyer and finally as a partner, until I left the firm in 1992. During that time those great qualities of Vic’s just grew and grew. Vic had the drive, he had the brains, he had the work ethic coupled with attention to detail and he had all the personal and client skills any lawyer could ever hope to have.

In late 1993 after returning from a year in London, England and learning that Vic, Jon and Doug had formed their own securities boutique firm, a gutsy move at any time and more so for three younger lawyers, I was amongst the many that had no doubts they would be as successful as history has evidenced.

I kept in touch with Vic during the last 15 years, albeit not as closely as I might have. When we would chat it would be about his family and the firm...in that order. Occasionally my daughters would baby-sit for his and Lori’s children and, as Vic trained for his triathlons, my middle daughter, Lauren, assisted Vic from time-to- time with swim coaching. I always took a quiet pride and considerable joy watching his family grow and his career unfold....sort of an ‘I knew him when...’ thing.

During my last conversation with Vic, a Christmas telephone ‘all the best’ call that became a ‘brag session’ about our children, I passed along that Lauren had been fortunate to have a wonderful mentor within her employer in London to which he quickly replied “I’m sure she appreciates it now, but she will appreciate it much more later in life. Everyone needs a mentor....Hey, I know!” I am sure Vic fully understood what those words would mean to me now.

I have often heard it said that as one ages one seldom regrets the things one did but rather the things one didn’t do. After my return from London in 1993 and MOI launched, my wife suggested “Why don’t you call Vic... Maybe they would like some grey hair around” to which I glibly replied something like “He doesn’t need me”. I never made that call but if I had I am sure that I would have enjoyed the experience very much.

– John Cumming

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