Gerald Merrithew
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| Gerald Stairs Merrithew | |
| Born | September 23, 1931 Saint John, New Brunswick Canada  |
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| Died | September 5, 2004 (aged 72) Saint John, New Brunswick Canada |
| Residence | Springfield, New Brunswick |
| Education | New Brunswick Teachers' College University of New Brunswick |
| Occupation | High School Principal Politician |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
| Religious beliefs | Baptist |
| Spouse | Gloria (Bobbi) McLean |
| Children | Pamela, Wendy, Gerald William, Richard, Lisa |
| Parents | Guy A. Merrithew & Lena A. Stairs |
Gerald Stairs "Gerry" Merrithew, PC , CD , BA , B.Ed , LL.D (September 23, 1931 - September 5, 2004), born at Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, was an educator, provincial and federal politician, and statesman.
Merrithew graduated from the New Brunswick Teachers' College, then obtained his BA & B.Ed degrees from the University of New Brunswick. With a lifelong interest in the Canadian Forces, he became an Officer Cadet and rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. As a High School Principal, he was active not only in the educational field, but the military, recreational fields, as well as cultural affairs that led to his entering politics.
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[edit] Provincial politics
First elected to Saint John City Council in 1971 he went into Provincial politics in 1972, winning a by-election for the Provincial Progressive Conservative Party. Re-elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1974, he would be appointed to the Cabinet as Minister of Education then in 1976, Minister of Commerce & Development. After winning re-election again in 1978 and in 1982, he became the Minister of Natural Resources, Government House Leader, and Deputy Premier.
| Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Charles McIlveen (Conservative) |
MLA for Saint John County 1972-1984 |
Succeeded by Peter Trites (NDP) |
| Provincial Government of Richard Hatfield | ||
| Cabinet Posts (3) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Predecessor | Office | Successor |
| Edwin G. Allen | Minister of Natural Resources (1982-1984) |
Malcolm MacLeod |
| Lawrence Garvie | Minister of Commerce & Development (1976-1982) |
Paul Dawson |
| Lorne McGuigan | Minister of Education (1974-1976) |
Charles Gallagher |
| Special Cabinet Responsibilities | ||
| Predecessor | Title | Successor |
| Deputy Premier (1982-1984) |
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| Government House Leader (1982-1984) |
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[edit] Federal politics
Gerald Merrithew resigned his provincial seat to run as a Progressive Conservative Party of Canada candidate for the Saint John riding in the 1984 Canadian federal election. Elected to the Canadian House of Commons in Ottawa, and with his party winning the election, Merrithew was immediately appointed Minister of State for Forestry then in 1986 to Forestry & Mines. After winning his seventh consecutive election in 1988, he was appointed Minister for the purpose of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister of Veterans Affairs.
| Parliament of Canada | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mike Landers |
Member of Parliament for Saint John 1984-1993 |
Succeeded by Elsie Wayne |
| 24th Ministry - Government of Brian Mulroney | ||
| Cabinet Posts (3) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Predecessor | Office | Successor |
| George Hees | Minister of Veterans Affairs (1988-1993) |
Kim Campbell |
| himself | Minister of State for Forestry & Mines (1986-1988) Mines was part of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Resources |
Marcel Masse |
| John Wise | Minister of State for Forestry (1984-1986) Part of the Ministry of Agriculture |
himself |
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[edit] Retirement
In 1993 Merrithew resigned from Cabinet and did not seek re-election. He and his wife retired to their farm in Springfield, New Brunswick at the head of the Belleisle Bay. Active with numerous Military and Veterans Associations, Gerald Stairs Merrithew was a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and also held several directorships including the "26Th Battalion Overseas Association Inc." where in 1995 he was instrumental in publishing the history of the Battalion by S. Douglas MacGowan (ISBN 1896270026).
Gerald Merrithew died of cancer on September 5, 2004.
[edit] References
- Hansard, 1st Session, 38th Parliament, Volume 142, Issue 16
- Parliament of Canada profile and portfolios for Gerald Stairs Merrithew
- Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick tribute to Gerald Merrithew
