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DONALD OLIVER Obituary
(September 19, 2025)
Lawyer, Businessman, Civil Rights Activist, Farmer, Chef, The Honourable Senator Donald H. Oliver, CM, ONS, KC, LLD, died peacefully in Halifax, after a courageous battle with cardiac amyloidosis.
Son of the late Clifford and Helena (White) Oliver, Don is survived by his wife, Linda (MacLellan) Oliver; daughter, Carolynn and husband, Oliver Fleck; and his sisters, Shirley James of Bermuda and Nancy Oliver of Montreal. He was predeceased by his sister, Eugenie Brown of Bermuda; and brothers, David of Montreal and Reverend William P. Oliver. He leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews in the Oliver, White, James, MacKenzie, Clarke and MacLellan families.
Donald grew up in the small university town of Wolfville, where his was the only Black family. Descended from ancestors enslaved in the United States through both his Oliver and White lineages, a long line of profoundly devoted Christian people who could not be deterred from building a better life. They set a standard that surged through each subsequent generation for learning, integrity, attention to detail, and dedication to working hard to achieve one's goals. Don embraced these standards throughout his life, with the goal of promoting freedom and equality for all.
Blessed with a deep appreciation of music through his mother Helena and her sister, renowned contralto Portia White, young Donald played music and experienced great joy from classical and jazz music throughout his life.
He developed a love of nature through his dad Clifford who supplied vegetables to Acadia University student dining halls, as well as the Oliver family kitchen, where nutritious farm produce became delicious cuisine by Helena and her daughters. It would later inspire him to become a Cordon Bleu chef, who delighted family and friends at his own farm in Pleasant River, Nova Scotia.
In university he excelled in academics, athletics, student affairs, and graduated from Acadia University as class valedictorian before entering Dalhousie Law School as a James Dunn Scholar. There, he embraced the politics of change. He became friends with Premier Robert L. Stanfield, who would play a mentor role. As a law student, Don helped draft landmark legislation that was later enacted as part of the Human Rights Act, which made it illegal to deny access to people based on skin colour. His lifelong involvement with the Progressive Conservative Party included dedicated work on legal affairs, ensuring candidates from all constituencies across Canada were in full compliance with the election acts.
Don's legal career began with one of Nova Scotia's prestigious law firms, where he built strong relationships with business clients and devoted significant time to pro bono work for Black people and disadvantaged women seeking justice. He immersed himself in the social justice movement, as a founding director of the Nova Scotia Black Cultural Centre, the Black United Front, as well as key positions with NSAACP, Crossroads Africa, National Council of Black Educators, James R Johnson Black Studies Program, among others. Recipient of Honorary Doctorates from five universities, he also taught law at Dalhousie.
A lifelong supporter of the Arts, Don served as Director of Neptune Theatre, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, National Youth Orchestra, Atlantic Ballet and raised funds for universities, health charities, and community development organizations.
He was called to the Senate by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, serving as member or chair of six important standing committees, throughout his 23 years in the Senate. Always pushing for diversity within Federal jurisdictions, he co-sponsored the founding of Black History Month with MP Jean Augustine. Commissioning research that demonstrated the business case for diversity, he took this message to the business community and was embraced by leading organizations around the world.
Within the Stephen Harper government, Senator Oliver became Speaker Pro Tempore and played a major role in implementing the Accountability Act. He accompanied the PM on a mission to the Obama White House, where he met privately with the President. He travelled as part of the Canadian delegation to Nelson Mandela's funeral.
Senator Oliver traversed the country and the world bringing a message of equality, empowerment and diversity to school children and parliamentarians, corporate executives, and educators. His message was ever consistent with his strong beliefs from childhood, shaped by the legacy of his ancestors.
On retiring from the Senate, Don happily moved full time to his farmhouse in Pleasant River, where he nurtured his flower gardens, grew beautiful vegetables, carefully cultivated Christmas trees, hosted friends and family, and enjoyed friendships within the community. After a hectic public life, he had peace and tranquility watching geese in his fields and deer under his apple trees. He was at home.
His memoir, ""A Matter of Equality"" (Nimbus Publishing) helped many people including himself get a better understanding of his life's work. He cherished the positive communication he received from so many who were touched by his story. He also embarked on new initiatives like the Black Voices prize to encourage new writing, the Black Writers in Residence Program, supported by dear friends at the Joan & Jack Craig Foundation, and an extensive scholarship program for Black Nova Scotians, with a generous donation from good friend Wade Dawe. He was delighted to see the Black North Initiative come to life and supported their efforts. His memoir helped focus attention on the things Donald Oliver knew were important and acknowledged that the torch has been passed.
Life was now a matter of finding comfort and enjoying the people he cherished and who loved him. He achieved peace of mind and spirit, with Linda at his side, and daughter, Carolynn, and his dear sisters near his heart, as he passed into the promised land on September 17, 2025.
Funeral services will be held at New Horizons Baptist Church on September 27th, at 1 p.m., with Cruikshank's Funeral Home entrusted with the burial. At Don's request, in lieu of flowers, people may consider a donation to the Clifford and Helena Oliver Bursary Fund at Acadia University.
Read more about his life at: www.DonaldOliver.ca
Lawyer, Businessman, Civil Rights Activist, Farmer, Chef, The Honourable Senator Donald H. Oliver, CM, ONS, KC, LLD, died peacefully in Halifax, after a courageous battle with cardiac amyloidosis.
Son of the late Clifford and Helena (White) Oliver, Don is survived by his wife, Linda (MacLellan) Oliver; daughter, Carolynn and husband, Oliver Fleck; and his sisters, Shirley James of Bermuda and Nancy Oliver of Montreal. He was predeceased by his sister, Eugenie Brown of Bermuda; and brothers, David of Montreal and Reverend William P. Oliver. He leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews in the Oliver, White, James, MacKenzie, Clarke and MacLellan families.
Donald grew up in the small university town of Wolfville, where his was the only Black family. Descended from ancestors enslaved in the United States through both his Oliver and White lineages, a long line of profoundly devoted Christian people who could not be deterred from building a better life. They set a standard that surged through each subsequent generation for learning, integrity, attention to detail, and dedication to working hard to achieve one's goals. Don embraced these standards throughout his life, with the goal of promoting freedom and equality for all.
Blessed with a deep appreciation of music through his mother Helena and her sister, renowned contralto Portia White, young Donald played music and experienced great joy from classical and jazz music throughout his life.
He developed a love of nature through his dad Clifford who supplied vegetables to Acadia University student dining halls, as well as the Oliver family kitchen, where nutritious farm produce became delicious cuisine by Helena and her daughters. It would later inspire him to become a Cordon Bleu chef, who delighted family and friends at his own farm in Pleasant River, Nova Scotia.
In university he excelled in academics, athletics, student affairs, and graduated from Acadia University as class valedictorian before entering Dalhousie Law School as a James Dunn Scholar. There, he embraced the politics of change. He became friends with Premier Robert L. Stanfield, who would play a mentor role. As a law student, Don helped draft landmark legislation that was later enacted as part of the Human Rights Act, which made it illegal to deny access to people based on skin colour. His lifelong involvement with the Progressive Conservative Party included dedicated work on legal affairs, ensuring candidates from all constituencies across Canada were in full compliance with the election acts.
Don's legal career began with one of Nova Scotia's prestigious law firms, where he built strong relationships with business clients and devoted significant time to pro bono work for Black people and disadvantaged women seeking justice. He immersed himself in the social justice movement, as a founding director of the Nova Scotia Black Cultural Centre, the Black United Front, as well as key positions with NSAACP, Crossroads Africa, National Council of Black Educators, James R Johnson Black Studies Program, among others. Recipient of Honorary Doctorates from five universities, he also taught law at Dalhousie.
A lifelong supporter of the Arts, Don served as Director of Neptune Theatre, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, National Youth Orchestra, Atlantic Ballet and raised funds for universities, health charities, and community development organizations.
He was called to the Senate by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, serving as member or chair of six important standing committees, throughout his 23 years in the Senate. Always pushing for diversity within Federal jurisdictions, he co-sponsored the founding of Black History Month with MP Jean Augustine. Commissioning research that demonstrated the business case for diversity, he took this message to the business community and was embraced by leading organizations around the world.
Within the Stephen Harper government, Senator Oliver became Speaker Pro Tempore and played a major role in implementing the Accountability Act. He accompanied the PM on a mission to the Obama White House, where he met privately with the President. He travelled as part of the Canadian delegation to Nelson Mandela's funeral.
Senator Oliver traversed the country and the world bringing a message of equality, empowerment and diversity to school children and parliamentarians, corporate executives, and educators. His message was ever consistent with his strong beliefs from childhood, shaped by the legacy of his ancestors.
On retiring from the Senate, Don happily moved full time to his farmhouse in Pleasant River, where he nurtured his flower gardens, grew beautiful vegetables, carefully cultivated Christmas trees, hosted friends and family, and enjoyed friendships within the community. After a hectic public life, he had peace and tranquility watching geese in his fields and deer under his apple trees. He was at home.
His memoir, ""A Matter of Equality"" (Nimbus Publishing) helped many people including himself get a better understanding of his life's work. He cherished the positive communication he received from so many who were touched by his story. He also embarked on new initiatives like the Black Voices prize to encourage new writing, the Black Writers in Residence Program, supported by dear friends at the Joan & Jack Craig Foundation, and an extensive scholarship program for Black Nova Scotians, with a generous donation from good friend Wade Dawe. He was delighted to see the Black North Initiative come to life and supported their efforts. His memoir helped focus attention on the things Donald Oliver knew were important and acknowledged that the torch has been passed.
Life was now a matter of finding comfort and enjoying the people he cherished and who loved him. He achieved peace of mind and spirit, with Linda at his side, and daughter, Carolynn, and his dear sisters near his heart, as he passed into the promised land on September 17, 2025.
Funeral services will be held at New Horizons Baptist Church on September 27th, at 1 p.m., with Cruikshank's Funeral Home entrusted with the burial. At Don's request, in lieu of flowers, people may consider a donation to the Clifford and Helena Oliver Bursary Fund at Acadia University.
Read more about his life at: www.DonaldOliver.ca
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Globe and Mail from Sep. 20 to Sep. 24, 2025.