bout de papier, Vol. 16, No. 4 (1999-2000) — Winter 1999-2000 // Hiver 1999-2000, p. 36
Almost nobody in the Department knew who Charles Eustace McGaughey was, but everybody knew McGUFF!
He was a cheerful man with a warm, if somewhat earthy, sense of humour that hid a high degree of intelligence and shrewdness, just as his rather gruff manner disguised a soft heart.
He graduated from Queen’s University in 1939 and, after further studies at the University of Chicago, joined the Canadian Army as a private soldier in 1941. His wartime career in the armed forces was somewhat unusual. Shortly after enlisting, he was assigned to the Army’s Japanese Language School and during the War he had a number of postings in Southeast Asia. He was discharged in 1947 (Captain) and joined the Department that year.
With this background it was not surprising that in Ottawa he often found himself serving in some Far Eastern capacity or other and that subsequent postings took him to Japan and other Asian countries. He eventually became High Commissioner to Malaysia and Ambassador to Thailand. Later he served as High Commissioner to Ghana and concurrently to several other West African countries. His colourful despatches were legendary. He also worked for several years in the Department’s Personnel Branch.
A high point of his professional career occurred when, on his return from a posting to Tokyo, he was put in charge of the Korea Desk in the American and Far Eastern Division at a time when the Korean War was reaching its climax. There he faced a tense, complex and delicate situation, if ever there was one, and handled it with great skill.
McGuff always retained a close link with his roots. He was born in North Bay, Ontario, and before joining the Army had worked for a while as a reporter for the Sudbury Star and the North Bay Nugget. He would, whenever possible, spend his summer holidays with his family at his “camp” not too far from the railway line running through Algonquin Park in Central Ontario. He would make arrangements in advance so that the freight trains would drop him off or pick him up virtually at his cabin doorstep. It is hard to imagine the railways providing such tailored service today!
He was also close to nature. He was into orchids on a grand scale and he also knew a great deal about tropical fish. Indeed, one had to manoeuvre very carefully in his house for fear of upsetting the fish tanks or the orchids. He once found a frog with a missing leg, brought it home and nursed it attentively. It eventually died of old age!
McGuff left the Department some 25 years ago. Those who knew him remember a good and reliable friend, admittedly something of a “character,” who was admired for his sensitivity in his relations with others and much respected for his professional skills.
He died in Prince George, B.C. He is survived by his wife Jessie and two sons.
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Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 16, No. 4 (1999-2000) — Winter 1999-2000 // Hiver 1999-2000, p. 36. Read the rest of this issue →
