Saturday, July 28, 2012

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs


National Association of Federal Retirees (FSNA)


Vacancy - Ontario Provincial / Territorial Advocacy Officer (PAO/TAO)


Due to the pending retirement of the incumbent, applications and nominations
are now invited for one or more positions as Ontario PAO/TAO. Reporting to the
National Director (ND), the PAO/TAO is responsible for observing, assessing, and
advising on matters of interest and concern to FSNA and its members. Some liaison
will be required with provincial officers and agencies. The PAO/TAO works within
terms of reference authorized by the association, and in accordance with a budget
allowance established by the ND. Some travel is required. Please send applications
and nominations, with full resume and statement of interest, to: 


  The ND Ontario and Nunavut 
  shibumi.management@gmail.com 
  or 184 Larkin Dr., Nepean, ON  K2J 1H9

Friday, July 27, 2012

Death of Gary Harman/Décès de Gary Harman


Today's Ottawa Citizen carried the obituary below.  Please note the visitation reception today, July 27, from 7 to 9 pm and funeral tomorrow, July 28, at 4 pm, both at Mackay United Church.  Vous trouverez çi dessous la nécrologie de Gary Harman; à noter: visitation-réception aujourd'hui le 27 juillet de 19h à 21h et obsèques demain le 28 juillet à 16h; les deux se tiennent à l'église Mackay United.

Gary Harman

          
April 14, 1929 - July 24, 2012 Born April 14, 1929 in Winnipeg, Gary passed away of natural causes, July 24, 2012, he was 83 years old. He is survived by his brother Reginald Harman and sister-in-law Isabel, Winnipeg; his wife, Margaret Harman (née Siddall), Ottawa and their three children, Lesley (children Matthew, Daniel and Beth), London; Edward (children Sarah and Adam), Calgary and Katherine (child Mhari), Halifax. Gary's father was the pharmacist/owner of Harman's Drug Store, which was a community centre point in the Depression years in Winnipeg. Gary attended Gordon Bell HS, starred as 'Duke' in the Gondoliers and graduated with the Governor-General's Medal in 1947. While in high school he studied piano, completing University of Manitoba music degrees: AMM in 1946 and LRSM in 1948. When he was 20, Gary was described as a 'brilliant young pianist'. Between 1946-62 he made ten recordings covering Grieg, Debussy, Rachmaninoff and Chopin. He carried music scholarships to the University of Manitoba where he completed a BA (Hon) History in 1950. He was hired into the Department of Trade and Commerce, and then in 1952 went to New York City in the United Nations International Intern Program. In 1954 he married his sweetheart, Margaret Siddall of Winnipeg, and they moved to New York City to begin their 58 year marriage together. They embraced the big city and often spoke fondly about their time in the tiny apartment on a tinier budget. Soon, Gary was launched into his foreign service career and with Margaret they represented Canada on seven international posts (Prague, Washington, Moscow, Cairo, Havana, Amman and Damascus/Beirut). He retired in 1993 and lived in Ottawa. Gary loved the arts, music, opera, ballet, orchestra and theatre. He was a strong supporter of the United Church of Canada. He and Margaret travelled extensively, taking full advantage of their postings as launching spots for adventure. He picked up languages easily, mastering French, Russian, Polish,Czech, Arabic, Spanish and German at different times in his life. Visitation reception Friday July 27th 7-9 pm at the Memorial Hall, Mackay United Church, 39 Dufferin Street (at Mackay), Ottawa, Ontario K1M 2H3. Funeral Saturday July 28th 4:00 pm at Mackay United Church, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make a donation to the Mission and Outreach Fund of the United Church of Canada through MacKay United Church.

Published in The Ottawa Citizen on July 27, 2012  

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Ian Smythe: RIP

SMYTH, Ian Ross
Ian Ross Smyth died peacefully at home on Saturna Island, British Columbia on Saturday, 23 June 2012 at the age of 81. Born 27 February 1931 in Cornwall, Ontario to Clara (Wereley) and Victor Smyth, Ian is survived by his wife, Susie Washington-Smyth, daughters Cynthia and Hilary Smyth, and stepchildren Omar and Sierra Washington. He will also be missed and remembered by his grandchildren Madeleine and Alexander Johnston, his sons-in-law Martin Manson and Andy Johnston, and stepdaughter-in-law, Euriphile Joseph. Ian is also survived by his former wife, Margot Smyth. Predeceased by his brother Wesley Smyth and his sister Chloe Prokos, Ian is also survived by his remaining sister, Frances Errington, nieces Susie Muth, Lesley and Jeannie (Smyth), Margaret Errington, and nephews Joe Errington and Stewart Smyth. Finally and not least, Ian leaves a well-filled, well-used and much-loved kitchen, library, music collection and oceanside home, all of which he shared generously with his family and dear friends. All will remember him for his quick wit, love of a stiff drink and a boyish twinkle in his eyes. Leaving Ontario as a young man, Mr Smyth spent many adventurous years, mostly in the Canadian West, where he worked among other things at soil engineering on the Trans-Canada highway, as a cowboy in New Mexico, a radio DJ and director at the CBC...somehow along the way finding time to play fullback for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for a season. In his late twenties, he left this phase of life behind to attend the University of British Columbia. After graduating from the UBC with an Honours degree in Economics and Political Science, Mr Smyth began a career with the Department of Industry, Trade and Commerce where he served in Australia, Rhodesia and England as a Trade Commissioner and subsequently Commercial Counsellor. After 12 years with IT&C, he pursued two further careers: the first culminating in his role as Assistant Secretary of Personnel Policy at the Treasury Board in Ottawa, where he also taught at the Carleton University School of Public Policy and Administration. After leaving the public sector Mr Smyth finished his career as President of the Canadian Petroleum Association in Calgary AB, retiring in 1992. The family would like to thank Irene te Hennepe and Pam Janszen for their care during Ian's last weeks at home. At Ian's request, there will be no services of any kind. Donations in Ian's memory may be made to the Saturna Island Fire Protection Society or to the Saturna Island Recreation and Cultural Centre Society.