Obituary of Douglas Willard Lutz

Doug Lutz, aged 72, died at home, on Friday, April 18, 2025 in Wolfville, with his wife, Kathie and daughter, Rachel by his side.

Born on March 11, 1953 and raised in Regina, Doug was proud of his Saskatchewan roots. Taking the minimum possible time to complete his BA and LLB degrees at the University of Saskatchewan, he became the one thing he wanted to be: a lawyer. His passion for the law never wavered.  Doug worked at firms in Regina, Edmonton, and Calgary, and it was in Calgary where he met and married Kathie Manko, a lawyer originally from Newfoundland. After twenty years of practice as a civil litigation lawyer in the west, successfully handling complex disputes including defamation, media law, professional negligence, personal injury, and construction law, he made a bold decision.

Moving with Kathie and their two year old daughter, Rachel to Wolfville from Calgary in 1997 was life changing. For those familiar with the Scottish cult film Local Hero, we can blame (or thank) his favourite movie for prompting Doug’s cross-country move that brought the family to the east coast, closer to Kathie’s home and family. At the time, such a drastic life change was viewed by many of his colleagues as outlandish – or even foolhardy.  He went from senior partner of a 100-person firm to practising on Main Street with two others. It was an adjustment yet, living and working out of Wolfville was ultimately more rewarding for him.  

As a young person, Doug joined the Regina Boys Pipe Band and became the Pipe Major and as an adult he was Pipe Major of the Victoria Park Band. He was also a highly successful solo competitor; his strength was his execution and technique. Although he focussed on perfect playing, he was an artist. A long-distance runner and cyclist while out west, he enjoyed relays through the mountains and foothills of Alberta. He played rugby.  He loved to cook, with a heavy pour of red wine at hand. For an important fundraiser or to fill in where needed, he took to the stage to perform in local plays. He walked daily down and up the hills of Wolfville to pick up the mail, a new book from the library, and groceries for that day’s meal – a welcome benefit of small-town living. During the years he practised law in Kentville, he made friends with drivers and fellow riders of Kings Transit buses where he was a rare sight with his tie and briefcase. When he did drive to work, including many years commuting to Halifax firms, he blasted Mark Knopfler, Bob Seger, and Queen.

Doug was often referred to as a “lawyer’s lawyer”: ethical, honourable, and committed to upholding the practice of law as a public service. He was known to be well prepared, insightful and effective, both in and out of the court room.  He believed that everyone deserved high quality legal representation, and the lack of ability to pay for it should not be a barrier to access. Doug practised law for 28 years in Nova Scotia, often working pro bono. To young lawyers, he was a valued mentor and friend; without hesitation he acted as principal to many articling students across the country.

As a long-time friend and client opined when he moved east, “For a lawyer, you’ve shown yourself to be some kind of human being”. He was known as a fearless advocate and for living the Art of War. He did not back away from a fight. Doug was a good, kind man, who loved his small family, helped more people than he knew, and was more respected and well-liked than he imagined. He did not receive compliments easily. He believed that when you took on a job you had a responsibility to do it right. Interests, causes and people close to Kathie and Rachel including food banks, schools, and newcomers to Canada became his causes too.  Even then, it was his legal skills, ability to dissect a problem, and think critically about an issue and solve it, that were most often called upon.

In recent years, with Rachel’s encouragement, Doug became a well-respected teacher and friend to newcomers to Canada from Ukraine, Syria, China, Iran, Nigeria, and Kenya, who valued his assistance in learning about the culture of their new home and improving their English. He coached them for tests and readied them for Citizenship exams.  When Rachel started the Halifax Newcomer Choir in 2021 and then transformed it to a federal not-for-profit, Doug served as its founding Chairperson.

Doug is survived by his girls, wife, Kathie Manko, Wolfville and daughter, Rachel Manko Lutz, Windsor; brother, Bruce Lutz, Regina, SK. He was loved and he will be missed.

Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert Street, Windsor NS (902-798-8317). Doug’s life will be celebrated at 5:00 p.m., on Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Windsor United Church, 613 King Street, Windsor, with a service followed by a reception. Those wishing to attend are more than welcome. He has asked that donations in his memory please be made to the Newcomer Choir Association – Canada, PO Box 2623, Windsor NS, B0N 2T0. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca. Personal messages to the family can be sent ℅ Newcomer Choir at: newcomerchoirhfx@gmail.com.