Michael Rooney - DFAIT Announcement

Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 4:48:16 PM
Subject: Décès de Michael Rooney / Death of Michael Rooney

It is with shock and great sadness that colleagues and friends will learn of the sudden death of Michael Rooney (Director, U.S. Transboundary Affairs Division). Michael's first assignment with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade was as a locally-engaged Trade Officer at our Consulate-General in Detroit. Inspired by his work in Detroit, Michael subsequently joined the Foreign Service in 1990 and held various assignments at Headquarters, including as departmental assistant in the Office of the Minister of International Trade. Other assignments of note included as Director of the APEC, Export Controls and Summits divisions, as well as Team Canada. Michael also served as Vice-Consul and Trade Commissioner at the Consulate-General in Boston. During the course of his career, Michael made many friends and earned the admiration and respect of all who crossed his path, in particular for his humanity, good nature and generosity of spirit. Moreover, his sense of humour was second to none. Michael leaves behind his wife, Jane, who heads up DFAIT's regional office in Ottawa, and their three children, David, Sarah and Johnathan. Visitation will take place Wednesday, November 23rd from 2 - 4 p.m. and  6 p.m. - 8 p.m.  at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod St (at O'Connor). A  Memorial Service will held at Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Ave., on Thursday, November 24th at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Michael can be made to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation.

Amis et collègues seront bouleversés et profondément attristés d’apprendre le décès soudain de Michael Rooney (directeur, Direction des affaires frontalières avec les États-Unis). La première affectation de Michael au ministère des Affaires étrangères et du Commerce international a été à titre d’agent commercial recruté sur place à notre consulat général de Detroit. Inspiré par son travail à Detroit, Michael a joint par la suite le Service extérieur en 1990 et a eu diverses affectations à l’Administration centrale, notamment à titre d’adjoint ministériel au bureau du ministre du Commerce international. Il a été, entre autres, directeur de l’APEC, de Contrôles à l’exportation, de Sommets et d’Équipe Canada. Michael a également exercé la fonction de vice-consul et délégué commercial au consulat général de Boston. Au cours de sa carrière, Michael s’est fait de nombreux amis et a su gagner le respect et l’admiration de tous ceux qui ont croisé sa route, en particulier à cause de son humanité, de son bon caractère et de sa générosité de cœur. Il avait aussi un sens de l’humour à nul autre pareil. Michael laisse dans le deuil son épouse, Jane, qui dirige le bureau régional du MAECI à Ottawa, ainsi que ses trois enfants, David, Sarah et Johnathan. Les visites auront lieu le mercredi 23 novembre de 14 h à 16 h et de 18 h à 20 h, à la chapelle centrale de Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315, rue McLeod (angle O'Connor). Un service commémoratif se tiendra le jeudi 24 novembre, à 13 h 30, au cimetière Beechwood, 280, avenue Beechwood. Plutôt que d’envoyer des fleurs, vous êtes invités à faire un don, à la mémoire de Michael, à la Fondation de l’Institut de cardiologie de l’Université d’Ottawa.

Michael Rooney

Tuesday November 22, 2011

MICHAEL HUGH ROONEY
(1959 – 2011) It is with deep sadness that the Rooney family announces the sudden passing of Michael Rooney, November 21, 2011. Loving husband of Jane (nee Minnes) Rooney, adoring and devoted father to David, Sarah, and Johnathan. Dearly loved son of the late Hugh and Dorothy Rooney. Beloved brother of Peter Rooney and Michelle (Rooney) Stavracky. Loving son-in-law of Gordon and Wendy Minnes. Fondly loved and remembered by sisters and brothers in-law, Trisha, Dave, Ann and Bob, Michael and Lynda. Cherished uncle of Ashley, Will, and Chase; Michael and Johnathan; Tom, James and Liane. Deeply missed by his many friends and colleagues with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. Friends are invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street (at O'Connor), on Wednesday, November 23rd from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A memorial in celebration of Michael's life will be held in Ottawa on Thursday, November 24th, details to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Michael can be made to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation.

Barry Steers

STEERS, Ian Barry Connell
It is with profound sadness that the family announces Barry's passing. He died peacefully at his home in London, ON, on Nov 20, 2011. Barry was surrounded by his immediate family. Husband of Martha Steers of over 59 years. Barry, missed by Sara (Bob), Greg (Anne) and Con (Sue) and seven grandchildren, Tamber (Jennifer), Claire, Ryan, Charlie, Sophia, Pilar and Gabriel, and great-grandchildren, Graydon and Arabella, his brother Kevin (Peggy) and sister, Mary and many relatives in Canada, Colombia and elsewhere. Predeceased by his parents, Connell and Kathleen Steers. From the comfort of his hometown, of London, Ontario, Barry grew to become as happy in the backstreets of Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo as in the hubs of New York City and Toronto. Of particular importance was the commitment and support of his wife Martha throughout his career. He joined the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service in 1956, and during his career, was posted to Singapore, Greece, Israel and the Canadian Consulate in New York. Following a posting home to Ottawa, he served as Canadian Ambassador to Brazil from 1971 to 1976, as Canadian Consul General to New York from 1976 to 1979 and concurrently, as Commissioner to Bermuda. From 1981 to 1989, Barry was the Canadian Ambassador to Japan. Wherever Barry served, he was committed to Canada yet embraced the people and customs of the countries where he and Martha made their home.Each posting abroad enriched their lives and each city became a home. Among various achievements, he was awarded the Public Service Award of Outstanding Achievement (The Prime Minister's Award) and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Western Ontario, his and Martha's Alma Mater. Following a distinguished career in the Civil Service, Barry became an advisor to many companies and served as a Board Member of London Life, CP Hotels (Fairmont), Canadian Pacific Airways, Gendis Corporation, Manalta Coal and International Bank of Japan, Mizuho, Canada among others. Barry also participated in various public organizations and charities, that included serving as Trustee of the Royal Ontario Museum, Trustee of the Canadian Opera Company, and of particular importance, a Board Member of the Gatineau Fish and Game Club, adjacent to his and Marthas cottage in Quebec, long the familys point of reference. Barry was a wonderful husband and a guiding light to his children, grandchildren and the many others he touched in his long and compassionate life. While he will be missed, his presence is so strong that it will endure throughout the rest of our lives. We loved him, love him and will miss him. The family would like to thank the support and services of Medical Priorities of London, ON that helped Barry and Martha through these last difficult months. Visitors will be received at the John T. Donohue Funeral Home, 362 Waterloo Street at King Street on Wednesday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michaels' Catholic Church, 511 Cheapside Street on Thursday morning, November 24, 2011 at 10 a.m. Interment St. Peter's Cemetery. Prayers Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. A luncheon reception will follow interment at the London Club - 177 Queens Avenue, In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to- the Barry C. Steers scholarship fund at Foundation Western, The University of Western Ontario - Westminster Hall, Suite 110, London, ON N6A 3K7

Hans Himmelsbach: RIP

This article of nearly a year ago just caught the attention of an attentive Amigo. Hans' passing is news to most of us, I think. - jl

Canadian diplomat's grave moved in Turkey after Muslim complaints

National Post 15 December 2010
By Tamsin McMahon

The remains of a Canadian diplomat buried in Turkey were reportedly forcibly removed from a local cemetery after a prominent Muslim family said they weren’t comfortable praying next to a Christian grave.
Hans-Joachim Himmelsbach, 65, a retired trade commissioner from Vancouver who was living in Turkey, died about three weeks ago after suffering a blood clot to his brain while he was recovering from a throat operation, his stepfather, Heinz Koletzko, said in an interview.
Mr. Himmelsbach was buried in a Christian ceremony at a local cemetery in Bodrum, a tourist resort community on Turkey’s south Aegean coast. Mr. Himmelsbach’s family obtained permission from the municipality for a priest to perform the ceremony, Mr. Koletzko said, as is required in Turkey for religious groups not officially recognized by the state.
But his wife, Ilknur Himmelsbach, a Turkish citizen, told the Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review that Mr. Himmelsbach’s grave was recently moved against her wishes to a remote area of the cemetery at the request of a local Muslim businessman who felt Mr. Himmelsbach was buried too close to the family plot (...)

More here: http://www.didimtoday.com/national/resorts/1301-what-a-shame.html

"Show us the money", says Hague

Former trade officer and Private Eye reader, Ian Wood, alerts us to a recent article.

"Foreign Secretary William Hague's real mission at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is overseeing the transformation of Britain's overseas embassies and consulates into little more than sales offices for UK companies who need help to compete abroad. Sound familiar?

I quote:

     The game was given away at a recent board meeting of Trade and Investments,

     the business promotion body run jointly by the FCO and the Business, Innovation

     and Skills Department.

     

     Discussing a new "commercial task force", the FCO Director-General, Europe

     and Globalisation, reported that under the new FCO internal business plan, the

     entire FCO asset (sic) would be deployed in support of commercial work. The whole 

     of the Foreign Office, in other words, will be directed primarily at winning

     contracts for British business.

    

Fittingly, the piece ends with the Private Eye comment: "Sod global harmony, show us

the money".

 

All very heartening if true. Where is DFAIT in this debate?"

--------------------

Thanks, Ian. I can only add: What took them so long? Brussels has assumed responsibility for every other function that used to justify their expensive network of diplomatic missions. - jl

Movember - Ed Gorn goes all out

Listen up, people.

Time to help someone who is making an effort to raise money for a worthy cause.

What's Ed doing? Not shaving his upper lip.

I know, I know. It sounds like rewarding slovenly behaviour on the part of someone who is probably prone to let himself go anyway. But, that is not our Ed. He is making an effort not to shave!

So follow his link, and pitch in.

http://ca.movember.com/mospace/1378404

For the record, here is Ed 'before'. We'll try to get an 'after' to see how well he does. Mousey or magnificent, Ed's effort is worthy of our support.

 and here's 'after'. Pretty good. Takes a lot out of you, apparently. Ed raised more than $1700, about one-quarter of it from Amigos. Well done, you lot.