bout de papier, Vol. 30, No. 3 (2018), p. 52
Born in Corner Brook in 1929 and raised in Grand Falls, Frank loved the outdoors, fishing and his extensive collection of stamps. He was very proud of his Newfoundland roots and remembered fondly his youth on the Rock, his parents and the folks he grew up with. His passion for travel and keen interest in Australia began early in life. After graduation from Dalhousie University, he travelled to Canberra where he was offered employment by the Australian Government. During this happy period in his life, he met Margaret (Peggy) Roberts and they were married on January 2, 1953. Upon returning to Canada with his new bride, Frank worked in the private sector for a year in St. John’s, before deciding to move to Ottawa to pursue an international affairs career in the Public Service. Without a job in hand, he started at the very bottom as a clerk, then quickly moved to National Revenue, and subsequently was offered a job in the International Trade Branch of Trade and Commerce, where he began his long and distinguished international career.
International Trade Branch was a perfect choice as Frank strongly believed in its role to secure and maintain the best possible access for Canadian exporters. He was one of a merry band of hard working public servants who were among Canada’s finest negotiators: and best-informed individuals on trade policy, spearheading Canada’s efforts to reduce trade barriers and promote freer trade.
-Frank’s overseas. roles included the Secretariat of the General Assembly (Geneva), Canadian Representative to the last posting as Consul General at the Consulate General to Sydney, Australia. Peggy was born in Australia and was the consummate. diplomatic spouse, making friends and building communities wherever they went.
While in Ottawa he also assumed several interesting senior assignments to promote Canada’s economic interests, including Privy Council Office and as Director of Pacific, Asia, and Africa of the Trade Department, which gave him responsibility for relations with much of the developing world. Subsequently, he integrated the International Financing Branch with several other branches to create the dynamic Office of Overseas Projects. Frank wrote in his book that he was especially proud of the Office of Overseas Projects which in his judgment could bring to bear all the political, diplomatic and financial elements necessary to help Canadian exporters win large projects in developing countries.
During his career, Frank travelled to over 80 countries representing Canada. This included several missions with Prime Mministers Trudeau, Mulroney and Clark, and more missions with the trade minister of the day, all of whom knew Frank personally. It is fair to say that Frank was often “called upstairs” and consulted by ministers over ‘the years, and they came to rely on Frank’s excellent judgement on a wide range of trade issues.
Frank finished his career as President of the Canadian Exporters Association (CEA), an advocacy group supporting international trade and raising awareness of exporters’ views. A major topic of the day was free trade with the United States. The CEA joined a coalition of business organizations supporting the move to free trade and Frank assumed a high-profile role on behalf of CEA members.
Peggy was actively involved in Frank’s 40-year career, but she had an inquiring mind and many interests of her own. On retirement, Peggy and Frank thoroughly enjoyed their years in Oakville.
On the personal side, Frank and Peggy had a deep faith and love of family that helped them through difficult times. Several people who worked for Frank over the years had health or personal issues. He personally took the time to put them at ease and reassured them that he looked forward to welcoming them back into the fold with open arms.
Because Frank believed in education improving people’s lives, he volunteered to teach English in a Florida prison when they resided in Vero Beach during winter months.
There is a saying in Newfoundland that any traveller who visited distant bays or places beyond had gone “as far as ever the puffin flew”, and Frank did with style and grace. He chronicled their life journey and work in his book by the same name.
Frank died peacefully on July 17, 2017 after a year of failing health. Peggy, his beloved wife, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2017 at Oakville Hospital. Frank and Peggy were special people in so many ways and they will be sorely missed by their daughters, extended family and many dear friends.
EDWARD GORN joined the Foreign Service in 1966 and
Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 30, No. 3 (2018), p. 52. Read the rest of this issue →
