Tristan Richard Easton was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1948 and spent his early years in the London borough of Chelsea, as it was rebuild following the war. When he was eight his parents separated, and Easton's mother emigrated to British Columbia with him and his sister. He attended high school at Lord Byng Secondary in Vancouver's Point Grey neighbourhood, then enrolled at the University of British Columbia. He graduated from UBC with both a bachelor's and master's degree in English literature. He proceeded to teach English literature at the University of Regina before returning to Vancouver to teach communications at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
In 1983, Tristan Easton was inspired to return to school at UBC to begin a new career, and enrolled in law. He clerked at the BC Supreme Court, including time in Smithers during the Delgamuukw trial. He was called to the bar in 1988 and began work as an associate at Harper Grey LLP. Seeking to hang out his own shingle in 1993, he joined with an associate to form what would become Storey, Easton, and Thomson, eventually opening offices above what was Jeremiah's Pub at 4th and Alma in Vancouver. Easton continued to practice in the area of family law, with some civil litigation and medical malpractice cases, while the pub downstairs became known as the firm's "boardroom."
In 1999, Mr. Easton began work as the family staff lawyer at Legal Services Society's Vancouver clinic. When the clinic was disbanded in 2002, he began work with the Department of Justice as part of the legal team dealing with the legacy of residential schools. He learned Canon law and worked closely with plaintiffs, all residential school survivors, to help settle claims. Tragedy struck in 2006 and rendered Easton instantly quadriplegic, but with his incredible resilience and courage as well as dedicated rehabilitation, he was able to return to work in 2008 and continue helping settle residential school claims.
In his personal life, he enjoyed weekend gatherings and time with loyal friends. Intellectual pursuits of reading and discussions of culture and the arts enabled his role-playing as a good-natured intellectual snob. He was an avid biker before his injury, and after still continued to enjoy life outdoors as a sailor.
Tristan Richard Easton passed away in 2012. He is remembered as an embodiment of the richness of human nature.