Born:
May 30, 1935 – May 19, 2017

Call Year:
1962

Distinguished as:
First person of Serbian descent to be appointed to the Superior Court of Justice 

Biography:

Born on May 30, 1935 to parents who were immigrants from Yugoslavia, Nick Borkovich grew up in the east end of Hamilton. He graduated from Delta High School and went on to attend McMaster University in Hamilton and Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. Nick was called to the Ontario bar in 1962 and articled with the late John Munro and the late Jack Pelech. In 1963, he began a law practice with longtime friend The Honourable Walter Stayshyn. When Walter was appointed to the bench, Nick’s nephew Peter Borkovich and longtime friend Jerry Ingrassia joined the firm under Borkovich and Ingrassia. Nick was appointed to the bench in 1982 and was the first person of Serbian descent to receive such an appointment. He worked as a judge in the Superior Court of Justice for 28 years until his retirement in 2010. Outside of work, Nick spent some time as the President of Serbian National Federation and the coach of their basketball team. He was a regular supporter of McMaster University football and basketball teams.

Source: Written by Alexandra Valeri, B.A. (Hons), M.A., J.D., information acquired from The Honourable Nick Borkovich obituary.