Gerald Merrithew

The Honourable Gerald Merrithew PC CD
Member of Parliament for Saint John
In office 1984–1993
Preceded by	Mike Landers
Succeeded by	Elsie Wayne
Member of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly for East Saint John
In office 1974–1984
Preceded by	new district
Succeeded by	Peter Trites
Member of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly for Saint John County
In office 1970–1974
Preceded by	multi-member district
Succeeded by	District abolished
Personal details
Born	Gerald Stairs Merrithew ( 1931-09-23)September 23, 1931 Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Died	September 5, 2004(2004-09-05) (aged 72)
Political party	Progressive Conservative
Spouse	Gloria McLean
Residence	Springfield, New Brunswick
Profession	High School Principal

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.

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.

Provincial politics

First 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 & 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 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 & 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

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 (ISBN 1896270026).

Death

Gerald Merrithew died of cancer on September 5, 2004, aged 72.

References

• Hansard, 1st Session, 38th Parliament, Volume 142, Issue 16
• Gerald Merrithew – Parliament of Canada biography
• Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick tribute to Gerald Merrithew