Gerald Merrithew

Infobox_Person
name = Gerald Stairs Merrithew


imagesize =
caption =
birth_date = birth date|1931|9|23
birth_place = Saint John, New Brunswick
Canada flagicon|Canada
death_date = death date and age|2004|9|5|1931|9|23|mf=y
death_place = Saint John, New Brunswick
Canada flagicon|Canada
resting_place =
residence = Springfield, New Brunswick
education = New Brunswick Teachers' College
University of New Brunswick
occupation = High School Principal
Politician
party = Progressive Conservative
spouse = Gloria (Bobbi) McLean
children = Pamela, Wendy, Gerald
William, Richard, Lisa
parents = Guy A. Merrithew &
Lena A. Stairs
religion = Baptist

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.

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.

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.

ministry box cabinet posts 3
post3preceded = George Hees
post3 = Minister of Veterans Affairs
post3years = 1988-1993
post3note =
post3followed = Kim Campbell

post2preceded = himself
post2 = Minister of State for Forestry & Mines
post2years = 1986-1988
post2note = Mines was part of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Resources
post2followed = Marcel Masse

post1preceded = John Wise
post1 = Minister of State for Forestry
post1note = Part of the Ministry of Agriculture
post1years = 1984-1986
post1followed = himself
###@@@KEYEND@@@###

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.

References

* [http://www.parl.gc.ca/38/1/parlbus/chambus/senate/deb-e/016db_2004-11-18-E.htm?Language=E&Parl=38&Ses=1 Hansard, 1st Session, 38th Parliament, Volume 142, Issue 16]
* [http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Files/Parliamentarian.aspx?Item=6c9f707c-dce0-468f-bf83-5a7c49f617db&Language=E&MenuID=Lists.Members.aspx&MenuQuery=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.parl.gc.ca%2FParlinfo%2FLists%2FMembers.aspx%3FParliament%3D%26Riding%3D%26Name%3Dm%26Party%3D%26Province%3D%26Gender%3D%26New%3DFalse%26Current%3DFalse%26Picture%3DFalse Parliament of Canada profile and portfolios for Gerald Stairs Merrithew]
* [http://www.gnb.ca/legis/publications/leg-act2004e.pdf Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick tribute to Gerald Merrithew]