TV host with a host of talents

A difference in ideologies between a QC father and his lawyer son, brought the son and his philosophies far west. Ronald Frances Theres MacIssac (‘49) arrived in Nanaimo and became a Fire Hall Night Sleeper--in exchange for a bed, he attended fires at night. His BC legal career began with the late Victor B. Harrison, whose firm became Harrison MacIssac, and then Harrison, MacIssac and Clarke. MacIssac and Company now has seven offices on Vancouver Island. Ron acts as counsel with MacIsaac and MacIsaac, with his son Daniel.

Anita Murray worked with Ron in the 70s. “He was a wonderful lawyer to work for,” she says. “He used to say there was nothing I could get him into that he couldn’t get us out of.” Ron trained Anita to be a paralegal before the term and position had been created. Of Ron, Anita says, “He makes you not afraid to live. You can do anything you want.”

Ron strongly supports artists and environmentalists. Alison Spriggs, of the Western Wilderness Committee worked with Ron on various campaigns. “He’s really genuinely interested in other people,” Alison says. Anita recounts how Ron lent his lake property to people to build geodesic dome houses and grow organic produce.

Long-time friend Ken Gogo says, “Ron is outspoken on legal issues and the administration of justice. He was one of the first advocates of legalization of drugs, as in the manner of alcohol.” Ron’s interest in environmentalism fueled one of his books, called Clayoquot Mass Trials, published by New Society Publishers. “It was a book for the public, so that they would get a sense of who the people were who stood on the road,” says Alison.

Increasing public understanding is something Ron has also worked into his twice-weekly program on Shaw Community television. “He’s the host and he interviews artists, and people in current affairs,” describes Roger Gallagher, another friend.

Roger and Ron met on a slow-pitch team formed for the 1988 BC Senior Games. After two-and-a-half months of practicing, the team competed in Vernon and won. “He has a dry sense of humour,” says Roger of Ron. “He put the team in stitches.” Roger remembers how Ron gold-plated his medal and gave it to Roger, the team captain. A decade later, Ron’s gift still delights.

Ron is an environmental law lecturer, Adjunct Professor at the International College of the Grand Cayman Islands, and a Past Governor or Director of: the Canadian National Institute of the Blind (Victoria); MADD; the Skies Above Foundation; and the Trial Lawyers Association of BC (which he co-founded).

Friends recall many moments showing Ron’s enjoyment of practical jokes and his essence of fun. There is his musical talent: Roger says, “Ron is always humming or singing. When we had a barbecue after the Games, he sang his college part from HMS Pinafore.” There is the one-liner description of his after-hours style from the waitress named Flo: “I don’t believe a prominent lawyer would be out dining in his bathing suit.” And then there is his artistic appreciation: Anita remembers “Crow”, a painting purchased sight-unseen for the firm. The canvas simply had the word “Crow” scrawled across it. Ron immediately re-sold the painting. Anita hoots, “Crow sold for $3,000 and made the firm a $500 profit.”

Alison says Ron works hard to have others recognized. “All of a sudden, out of the blue, someone who’s been knocking their head against a wall gets a something that says ‘thank you, you do a good job’.” Ron has nominated several people for Governor General awards. Alison says, “He’s always looking for interesting people that make a difference, but he is so among them and has been doing it longer than any of us.”

This article was published in the June 1998 issue of BarTalk and is subject to the copyright by the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, 2006, all rights reserved.