Gerald Stairs "Gerry" MerrithewPCCD (September 23, 1931 – September 5, 2004), born in 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 and 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.
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, 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 (ISBN1896270026).
Death
Gerald Merrithew died of cancer on September 5, 2004, aged 72.[citation needed]
gerald, merrithew, gerald, stairs, gerry, merrithew, september, 1931, september, 2004, born, saint, john, brunswick, canada, educator, provincial, federal, politician, statesman, honourablepc, cdminister, veterans, affairsin, office, september, 1988, january, . Gerald Stairs Gerry Merrithew PC CD September 23 1931 September 5 2004 born in Saint John New Brunswick Canada was an educator provincial and federal politician and statesman The HonourableGerald MerrithewPC CDMinister of Veterans AffairsIn office September 15 1988 January 4 1993Prime MinisterBrian MulroneyPreceded byGeorge HeesSucceeded byKim CampbellMinister of State Forestry and Mines In office June 30 1986 September 14 1988Prime MinisterBrian MulroneyMinisterMarcel MassePreceded byHimself as Minister of State Forestry Robert Layton as Minister of State Mines Succeeded byGerry St GermainMinister of State Forestry In office September 17 1984 June 29 1986Prime MinisterBrian MulroneyMinisterJohn WisePreceded byPosition establishedSucceeded byHimself as Minister of State Forestry and Mines New Brunswick Executive CouncilMinister of Natural ResourcesGovernment House LeaderIn office October 30 1982 August 3 1984PremierRichard HatfieldPreceded byEdwin G AllenSucceeded byMalcolm MacLeodMinister of Commerce and DevelopmentIn office December 20 1976 October 30 1982PremierRichard HatfieldPreceded byLawrence Garvie Economic Growth Succeeded byPaul DawsonMinister of EducationIn office December 3 1974 December 20 1976PremierRichard HatfieldPreceded byJ Lorne McGuiganSucceeded byCharles GallagherParliamentary constituenciesMember of Parliamentfor Saint JohnIn office September 4 1984 October 25 1993Preceded byMike LandersSucceeded byElsie WayneMember of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly for East Saint John Saint John East 1972 1974 In office December 11 1972 July 1984Preceded byMulti member districtSucceeded byPeter TritesPersonal detailsBornGerald Stairs Merrithew 1931 09 23 September 23 1931Saint John New Brunswick CanadaDiedSeptember 5 2004 2004 09 05 aged 72 Political partyProgressive ConservativeSpouseGloria McLeanResidenceSpringfield New BrunswickProfessionSecondary school PrincipalMerrithew graduated from the New Brunswick Teachers College then obtained his BA and 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 Contents 1 Provincial politics 2 Federal politics 3 Retirement 4 Death 5 Electoral history 6 ReferencesProvincial politics EditFirst elected to the 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 amp 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 EditGerald 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 House of Commons of Canada in Ottawa and with his party winning the election Merrithew was immediately appointed Minister of State for Forestry then in 1986 to Forestry amp 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 Retirement EditIn 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 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 Death EditGerald Merrithew died of cancer on September 5 2004 aged 72 citation needed Electoral history Editvte1988 Canadian federal election Saint John RothesayParty Candidate Votes Progressive Conservative Gerry Merrithew 16 798 43 1 9 1Liberal Joe Boyce 15 067 38 6 13 1New Democratic Judith Meinert 4 883 12 5 8 7Confederation of Regions Jim Webb 1 806 4 6 4 6Libertarian Thomas Gamblin 289 0 7 0 1Independent Gary Zatzman 162 0 4 0 4Total valid votes 39 005 100 0vte1984 Canadian federal election Saint John RothesayParty Candidate Votes Progressive Conservative Gerry Merrithew 16 604 52 2 13 2Liberal Cliff Warner 8 109 25 5 15 9New Democratic Mary Palmer 6 752 21 2 2 3Libertarian Peter Jones 242 0 8 0 6Social Credit Gordon Simons 102 0 3 0 3Total valid votes 31 809 100 0References EditHansard 1st Session 38th Parliament Volume 142 Issue 16 Gerald Merrithew Parliament of Canada biography Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick tribute to Gerald Merrithew24th Ministry Cabinet of Brian MulroneyCabinet posts 3 Predecessor Office SuccessorGeorge Hees Minister of Veterans Affairs1988 1993 Kim Campbellhimself Minister of State for Forestry amp Mines1986 1988Mines was part of the Ministry of Energy Mines and Resources Marcel MasseJohn Wise Minister of State for Forestry1984 1986Part of the Ministry of Agriculture HimselfNew Brunswick provincial government of Richard HatfieldCabinet posts 3 Predecessor Office SuccessorEdwin G Allen Minister of Natural Resources1982 1984 Malcolm MacLeodLawrence Garvie Minister of Commerce amp Development1976 1982 Paul DawsonLorne McGuigan Minister of Education1974 1976 Charles GallagherSpecial Cabinet ResponsibilitiesPredecessor Title Successor Deputy Premier1982 1984 Government House Leader1982 1984 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gerald Merrithew amp oldid 1133443001, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,