DFAIT Cancels Cross-Canada Tours for Trainees

What a shame. These tours allowed new FSOs to learn about the country they would represent while abroad. They also enabled them to say they had been "there", or nearby, when anyone asked, even years later. Most of all, the tours were a sort of boot camp. A group that survives a few weeks of late night arrivals, factory tours and boardroom presentations gets to know one another, they bond and become colleagues. The tours also allow participants to build up a trove of embarrassing stories about their new colleagues that they will embellish and recite for many years in many lands. They are (were?) the most valuable part of the entire training period.

Full story in Diplomat. Thanks to David Horley for pointing it out. - JL

Bob Godson

ROBERT GILBERT GODSON (MAY 24, 1932 - OCTOBER 1, 2009) After a period of ill health, Bob passed away peacefully on October 1st, at North York General Hospital. He was a graduate of Lawrence Park Collegiate, University of Toronto and Osgood Law School. He was a diplomat with the Canadian Government for most of his career, having first ser ved as Canadian Trade Commissioner in South Africa, later representing Canada in China for many years, working from Hong Kong. When Canada diplomatically recognized China in 1971, he was appointed the First Secretary on the Canadian Embassy in Beijing. He later spent a number of years with the United Nations in various Asian countries and for a time was Counsel to Jardine Mathison in Hong Kong. For the past 25 years he has been a resident of Bangkok, Thailand until recently returning to Canada. Throughout his life Bob was a talented pianist. He is survived by his beloved sister Patricia (Gordon) Gray, by his nephews and nieces Donald (Jodie) Gray, David (Susan) Gray, Diane Gray, Douglas (Kathi) Gray and Deborah Gray, and his many grand nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at St. Paul's Church in Gravenhurst at 1:30 PM on Saturday, October 10th. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Critical Care Unit of North York General Hospital, Foundation Office, 4001 Leslie Street, Toronto, N2K 1E1.

(Globe and Mail, Oct. 6)

Don Collier

It is with great sadness the we inform former colleagues and friends of the death of Donald (Don) Collier, who passed away September 6, 2009 at the Vancouver General Hospital after a long battle with leukemia.

He is survived by his wife Helen. Don joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1974, with postings in Seoul, Islamabad, Port of Spain, Bangkok and Hong Kong. His last assignment was at Headquarters in the Division of Overseas Operations (TCS). Don retired from the Department in 2005 and moved to Victoria.

Information regarding memorial service will be published in the Victoria Times Colonist and the Globe and Mail in due course.

Condolences could be emailed to helen.collier@shaw.ca or at the following address:

Helen Collier
409 - 50 Songhees Road
Victoria, BC V9A 7J4

Michael Conway

CONWAY, Michael Stephen On Saturday, September 5, 2009, Michael Stephen Conway, aged 63. Beloved husband and best friend of Myra Beauchamp Conway. Dear son of the late Leo James Conway and the late Ivy Burkitt. Left to mourn are his sisters Patricia Conway-Willis (late Earl), Barbara Smith (Russell) and Catherine Stewart (late George), and his brothers Peter (Linda) and Christopher (Elise). Remembered fondly by his many nieces and nephews and their children, and by his many friends in Canada and all parts of the world. Michael was a proud Canadian who served the country he loved as a public servant and diplomat in Ottawa, St. John's Newfoundland, and in Sweden, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Malaysia. In his last few years Michael lived with early onset dementia. He was able to live his life at home with dignity and much laughter with the loving help of his caregivers, in particular Shirley Lamoureux, Linda Prudhomme, Sharon Lang and Yvonne Valentine, their nursing care manager at Retire-At-Home. Friends may call at St. James Anglican Church, 1138 Bridge Street, Manotick, on Thursday, September 10, 2009 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at the church on Friday at 11:00 a.m. For those who wish, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Society. Condolences, donations or tributes may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com

Romoff Steps Down

David McFadden, Chair of the Board of Directors, Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) has announced that Mark Romoff has decided he will step down as OCE President in September. While this is obviously an opportunity for Amigos still looking for employment, Mark's will be a hard act to follow. According to McFadden:

OCE has benefited greatly from his leadership and is now recognized as Ontario’s best-in-class innovation and technology commercialization organization with an impressive province-wide portfolio of successes.

The OCE Board of Directors acknowledges Mark for his hard work and vision which has positioned OCE for continued success. In the weeks ahead, the Board will launch a search process to find the right person to build upon the legacy built during Mark’s tenure as President.

Well done, Brother Romoff. The rest of you start updating your résumés, or not.

Colfer and Perron Ride for Dad

Bob Gayner

From today's Citizen. Robert Gayner
GAYNER, Robert "Bob" Harold Peacefully, at the Ottawa General Cancer Centre on Monday morning, June 8th, 2009, at the age of 79. A man loved by many people, he will be sadly missed by all of us: his children Bill, Michael and Mary, their partners Harry, Ganaele and Chris, his grand daughter Emma, his new love Chloe, his extended family and many good friends. He was the loving and devoted husband of the late Helen Gayner. Bob was a true Canadian, with a long distinguished career as a Canadian diplomat who served as Canadian Ambassador to Iraq and Canadian Consul General in Chicago. After retiring from the Foreign Service, he was Executive Director for the Business Fund for Canadian Studies in the United States and then Executive Director for the Trade Facilitation Office Canada. Bob also found time for extensive volunteer work, including serving as Chair of Catholic Family Services Ottawa as well as in regional and national leadership roles with the Federal Superannuates Association. He was known for his enthusiasm and hearty laugh, and he loved people, travel, and life. Friends may visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street, Ottawa, ON, from 4-7 p.m., on Thursday, June 11th, 2009. A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at the Notre-Dame Cathedral, 375 Sussex Drive at St. Patrick, Ottawa at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 12th, 2009. Bob's family is very grateful for the many acts of kindness, prayers and wishes of his friends. Contributions may be made in Bob's memory to the Ottawa Hospital Foundation, designated to the 5th floor General Campus Cancer Centre.