Randall Oliphant died suddenly but peacefully at his home in Toronto of undiagnosed heart disease on September 1, 2023 at the age of 64. He is survived by his wife Laurel, daughters Melissa (Chris Cardy) and Tara (Ross Yellowlees), beloved mother Rose, sister Robin (Rob Rossing), and his extended family. He is predeceased by his father Hugh.

Randall grew up in Scarborough and attended the commerce program at the University of Toronto, where he was Laurel’s tour guide on her first day of school in 1981. They married four years later and had 38 more years as best friends and partners.

After graduating from U of T in 1984, Randall joined the accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand and Barrick Gold was one of his first clients. Two years later, as a newly qualified CA, he was invited to join the small staff at Barrick as Treasurer. He was rapidly promoted as his remarkable talents became apparent, and at the young age of 39, he became President & CEO of one of the largest gold mining companies in the world.

After 16 years with the firm, he left Barrick and took the helm of Western Goldfields, continuing as Executive Chairman when it merged to become New Gold Inc. He served on the boards of numerous public companies and not-for-profit organizations, including a long and fulfilling tenure as a Director of Franco-Nevada Corporation, and four years as Chair of the World Gold Council. In 2016 he received the distinction of Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in recognition of his exceptional contribution to his profession and his community.

In recent years, Randall was an active investor and advisor, always thinking about his next project, “semi-working, not semi-retired” as he liked to say. He enjoyed working from home and the cottage in the company of Laurel and their dog Bailey. He began taking long walks with old and new friends and found great satisfaction in mentoring promising young individuals.

Randall loved to have fun and was always energetic and adventurous. He enjoyed golfing, skiing, scuba diving, boating, travelling, and working outdoors. And no summer was complete without a backflip off the dock at the cottage.

Randall believed he led a charmed life. A natural optimist with a famously keen intellect and sense of humour, he thought his ability to get along and work well with others was responsible for his success in life. He leaves a wide circle of close friends, family and acquaintances who will miss their conversations with him. He was looking forward to the birth of his first granddaughter this fall and was busy planning a family vacation to spend time with the people he loved the most, and who loved him immensely.


Memorial donations can be made to CNIB Lake Joseph Camp, where Randall was a leader and a champion for people with sight loss.