A.J.M. (Ton) Zuijdwijk, LL.M., M.I.A., S.J.D.
It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Ton Zuijdwijk, a loving husband, a devoted father and grandfather, a loyal friend and a dedicated academic. Ton passed on October 16, 2025, at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, integrity and love.
Ton is survived by his wife, Karen Coupland; his children from his first marriage, Anneke Zuijdwijk (Eric Knight) and Caroline Zuijdwijk (Ruwan Jayasuriya); his grandchildren, Olivia and Penelope Knight and Savi and Vian Jayasuriya; his step-children, Kristen Coupland (David Moore) and Jason Coupland; his step-grandchildren James Moore and Aidan Moore; and his sister Anneke (Ruud Von Tol) who lives in the Netherlands. He was predeceased by his younger brother Jan (Annette) who died in the Netherlands on November 17, 2024.
Ton was born on February 9, 1946 and grew up in The Hague. From an early age he was an avid student of world politics and history. Ton had Master of Law degrees from the University of Leiden (Netherlands) and Columbia University (NYC). He received his Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D) from the University of Toronto.
In the early years of his career, he taught law at the University of Leiden and McGill University. This was followed by a long and distinguished career in international trade law at the Government of Canada where he conducted trade litigation before the WTO in Geneva, Switzerland. He also participated in negotiations on many of Canada’s Free Trade Agreements. Ton had a deep commitment to and respect for the established rules of international law, which provide the norms for not only economic relations and but also human rights.
Throughout most of Ton’s career he taught the course in European Union Law at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law. After his retirement from the Public Service in 2017 he also taught the course in International Trade Law for several years. Ton loved teaching and had planned to teach the EU Law course one last time in the fall of 2025 before illness befell him.
His many trips to Geneva during his career were almost always combined with a few days in the Netherlands visiting with his sister and brother and their respective families. This helped to bridge the distance between them and allowed them to maintain close ties through the years.
Ton was especially proud of his two girls, Anneke and Caroline and their respective families. Getting together with them was one of his greatest joys in life. Ton’s illness brought the whole family together in a manner that has strengthened the family relationships not only here in Canada, but also with his family in Netherlands. This is the gift that Ton has left us all.
Funeral will be held in the Sacred Space at Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services on October 23, 2025 at 10:00 am. Reception will follow.
Digital Guestbook
Richard Tarasofsky
Vasken Khabayan
I was so very saddened to hear of Ton's passing. I greatly enjoyed our times together in the Trade Law Bureau, with Ton's patience and guidance on all things EU related, he was truly a scholar and a gentle man. All the tributes here are a testament to how much he touched the hearts and minds of everyone he worked with. We will all truly miss him.
Wolfgang Alschner
Ton was such a kind and generous person. He was one of first colleagues I met when I started teaching at the University of Ottawa in January 2017. I greatly benefitted from his wisdom and support. And I was not the only one. Just a few weeks ago, a student told me how much she had enjoyed his trade law class last year. Ton's colleagues and students cherish his memory.
Marion Braid
I am very saddened to hear of Ton's passing. My first assignment in Global Affairs Canada was in 1985 in the Legal Bureau (Economic Law & Treaty Division). I spent many hours in Ton's office learning the ropes. He was always so kind, gave many words of advice and always available to listen. He had a stellar reputation back then which followed him throughout his career and I knew how much he loved teaching. May he rest in peace and his family find solace in knowing that Ton was respected by so many.
Jason Tolland
To Ton's family,
He was a remarkable colleague. Learned and intelligent and selfless enough to share freely with colleagues, interested only in the bigger questions. Spending time with him professionally, and on occasion for the odd long chat and Heineken, turned out to be one of the most pleasant things in my time in government. My sincere condolences, and know he lives in the memory of many.
Sit via surgat obviam tibi, Ton, et donec iterum conveniamus
Kees van Raad
Ton has been a personal friend of mine for almost 70 years. In our childhood, our families lived in the same street in a post-WWII new development in The Hague, NL. We went to the same elementary school, same gymnasium (secondary) school, and we both went to Leiden U to study law. He specialized in public international law and I in (international) tax law. His move to the US and Canada a few years after our graduation in 1969 certainly was not the end of our friendship. During the periods I was in the US for studies and, later, visiting professorship provided multiple opportunities to visit. And of course, over the past 10+ years video-calling made it easy regularly to catch up, personally and professionally.
I will miss him dearly. His unwavering commitment to our loving friendship was very special. I treasure my memories to a unique friend.
Catherine Dickson
I am so sorry to hear about Ton’s passing. He was a favoured colleague and friend. We worked together on a variety of trade negotiations and on several disputes on intellectual property matters at the World Trade Organisation. I learned a lot from him and will always be grateful for our work together. I have no doubt he will be missed. I extend sincere condolences to Karen, his family and friends.
Catherine Kelly
We met Ton in Montreal pre children and then had the joy of seeing each other’s children grow and develop. Ton was always soft spoken, kinds and a font knowledge of international news!! It is a sad day.
Stacy-Paul Healy
I was very saddened to hear of Ton's passing and I offer my deepest condolences to his family. I had the pleasure of working with Ton at the Trade Law Bureau, attending my first trade negotiation with him. He was always generous with his time, mentoring others who benefitted from his wealth of knowledge and experience.
Susan Kronick
Ton's passing is such loss for so many. My condolences the whole family. I'm grateful Andrew and I were able to see him last year. What a beautiful ceremony and words spoken of him. I learned so much about Ton from Caroline and Clifford's eulogies. What a very special man. The video tribute with all the beautiful photos of Ton, always smiling, is how I will remember him.
I am very saddened by the news of Ton's passing. Like many others, I too can attest to his warmth, kindness, and generosity. One of my career highlights was working with Ton on one of Canada's cases at the World Trade Organization, where I greatly benefited from his wisdom, and sense of humour. My deepest condolences to the family.