GHERSON, Randolph
After a brief battle, Randolph Gherson succumbed peacefully to cancer at the Ottawa Hospital on Saturday, June 28, 2014. His wife of 64 years, Joan (Slater), and daughter Diane and son Giles were at his bedside. Born in Cairo, Egypt, in 1928, Randolph earned degrees in international relations at the London School of Economics and international law at the Academy of International Law in The Hague. He worked as the International Wheat Board economist in London and Rome before emigrating to Canada with Winnipeg-born Joan and their two children in 1958 to join the federal Department of Trade and Commerce. In a distinguished career capped by the Governor General's Medal for Meritorious Service to Canada, he was appointed as Canada's deputy and acting head of mission to the European Economic Community in Brussels (1968), economic minister-counsellor in Washington (1972), ambassador to the OECD in Paris (1980), Canada's chief air negotiator (1986) and Ambassador for Fisheries Conservation (1991). Known for his keen intellect, unwavering integrity, warm sense of humour and ever-present charm, Randolph lived his life deliberately, richly and well. He will be sorely missed by his family, including granddaughters Nicola and Pippa, grandsons Duncan and James (Barile), son-in-law Doug, and daughter-in-law Heather MacTaggart , as well as his many friends, former colleagues and his comrades at the Rideau Club, where he spent many happy and fulfilling hours over many years. Thanks to the kind medical team at Ottawa Hospital. A Memorial Service in celebration of his life will be held on July 19 at 2 p.m. at the Beechwood National Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, ON. Tributes may be sent via Lifetimes at www.beechwoodottawa.ca
After a brief battle, Randolph Gherson succumbed peacefully to cancer at the Ottawa Hospital on Saturday, June 28, 2014. His wife of 64 years, Joan (Slater), and daughter Diane and son Giles were at his bedside. Born in Cairo, Egypt, in 1928, Randolph earned degrees in international relations at the London School of Economics and international law at the Academy of International Law in The Hague. He worked as the International Wheat Board economist in London and Rome before emigrating to Canada with Winnipeg-born Joan and their two children in 1958 to join the federal Department of Trade and Commerce. In a distinguished career capped by the Governor General's Medal for Meritorious Service to Canada, he was appointed as Canada's deputy and acting head of mission to the European Economic Community in Brussels (1968), economic minister-counsellor in Washington (1972), ambassador to the OECD in Paris (1980), Canada's chief air negotiator (1986) and Ambassador for Fisheries Conservation (1991). Known for his keen intellect, unwavering integrity, warm sense of humour and ever-present charm, Randolph lived his life deliberately, richly and well. He will be sorely missed by his family, including granddaughters Nicola and Pippa, grandsons Duncan and James (Barile), son-in-law Doug, and daughter-in-law Heather MacTaggart , as well as his many friends, former colleagues and his comrades at the Rideau Club, where he spent many happy and fulfilling hours over many years. Thanks to the kind medical team at Ottawa Hospital. A Memorial Service in celebration of his life will be held on July 19 at 2 p.m. at the Beechwood National Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, ON. Tributes may be sent via Lifetimes at www.beechwoodottawa.ca
Email: marlrigs@gmail.com
