Jake Warren, RIP

WARREN, Jack H. (Jake), O.C., LLD After a short stay at Ottawa General, Jake has passed away in the full embrace of his loved and loving family. Born in April, 1921 on an Ontario tobacco farm, he was raised and educated in Ottawa and completed his studies at Queen's University, Kingston, B.A., LLD. In World War II he welcomed responsibility as a naval officer on many ships, notably HMCS Valleyfield which was torpedoed and sunk in the frigid North Atlantic in 1944. His survival only ensured and reinforced his commitment to deliver a genuine public service to a country that he loved. An interest in trade and internationalism brought him post-war to the Department of External Affairs and in due course to appointments as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (1971-1975) and Ambassador to the United States of America (1975-1977). His focused dedication and overwhelming work ethic were rewarded with varied positions of significance throughout his life, including Deputy Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce (1968-1971). In 1977 he returned to Canada to act as Ambassador and Canadian Coordinator of the Tokyo Round of World Trade Negotiations (1977-1979). Upon his well-deserved retirement from the federal public service, but still hungry for intellectual challenge, he accepted the Vice-Chairmanship at Bank of Montreal and then represented the Province of Quebec as its Free Trade Policy Advisor during NAFTA negotiations. He received the Public Service Outstanding Achievement Award in 1975 and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1982. The many achievements in his professional life only pale against the happiness and love that he shared with dear Joan, his wife of 55 years, his four children, Hilary, Martin, Jennifer (Charlie), Ian (Andrea) and his grandchildren, Andrew, Colin, Alec, Beverly, Thomas, Madeline, Emily, Jack, Robert and the late Fiona, who will miss his great wit, dining-room table exuberance and unsuccessful efforts at discipline. He has been a great friend of many and his absence at Round Table, CHIMO, Stammtisch, White Pine and on the salmon rivers will be conspicuous. Funeral service will take place at St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church, 125 MacKay Street on Monday, April 7, 2008 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the NAC Orchestra Bursary would be appreciated.