E. George MACMINN

E. GEORGE MACMINN OBC, QC March 21, 1930 - August 30, 2022 It is with great sadness we announce the death of Earle George MacMinn. He died peacefully in Victoria, on August 30, 2022, at the age of 92, surrounded by his loving family. George had a rich life as a lawyer, parliamentary officer, author, tennis player, and family man. Born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia in 1930, George's maternal family were United Empire Loyalists from Connecticut who settled in Boylston, Nova Scotia in 1785. He retained very happy childhood memories of his grandfather's farm in Guysborough County, and his Maritime origins. Due to his father Earle's career with the Royal Bank of Canada, George's family lived in New Glasgow, Sydney, and Halifax before a final move to Victoria in 1943, when his father took up the managerial duties of the main branch. Tragically, only five years later, George's father drowned in a duck hunting accident on Somenos Lake. George attended Victoria High School, then Victoria College (now Camosun College), and eventually University of British Columbia where he studied English, then law. He graduated in 1953 and was called to the bar in 1954. At university, he was a member of the Canadian Officers Training Corps and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Canadian Army Provost Corps. After university, he embarked on a year-long tour of Europe. Finding himself bereft of funds to get back home, he called in a favour from his brother-in-law, then an officer on a Royal Navy submarine. As an unofficial "stowaway", George had the ride of his life across the Atlantic back home to Canada. George settled in Victoria beginning his legal practice working for a number of firms, and as a Crown prosecutor. Shortly after, he formed his eponymous law firm MacMinn and Company, which still exists today. In 1957, he found his true calling when approached by Ned DeBeck, then the Clerk of the BC Legislative Assembly, to serve as the Clerk Assistant. This set in motion a parliamentary career that would span an extraordinary 54 years, serving 11 Premiers, 15 Speakers, and making history as the longest-serving Table Officer in the Commonwealth. In 1993, he was named a Queen's Counsel, and was inducted as an Officer of the Order of British Columbia in 2005. George received the Queen's Medal for Outstanding Service to the Legislative Assembly in 2003. In 2013 he was awarded the Queen's Jubilee medal. He was appointed Clerk of the House in 1993, and eventually retired from the Legislature in 2011. George was regarded internationally as a pre-eminent expert on parliamentary law, practice and procedure. His book, "Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia", is currently in its third edition, and is widely used throughout the Commonwealth. The book is considered the authority of choice in the B.C. Legislature. In 2006, George was proud to speak at Oxford University on the Westminster System as it is practiced in Canada. He was also an honorary life member of the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries. George was a longtime supporter of the Legislative Assembly Internship Program, which provides university students the opportunity to supplement their academic training. Under his leadership, a Public Education and Outreach office was established to promote further understanding of B.C.'s parliamentary system to all citizens. As a recognized expert in parliamentary procedure, George participated in Clerk's conferences throughout the Commonwealth. He had a special affinity for Westminster, where he received training and was invited as an honorary member of the Breakfast Club, a weekly gathering (Tuesdays) of past and present Clerks of the UK House of Commons. As the only non-UK member, he was particularly vigilant to wear the special tie members were meant to wear every Tuesday, no matter where in the world they might be. A proud member of the Union Club since 1966, George served as president from 1980-82 and was an anchor at Wednesday evening poker for decades where he was to enjoy a glass of fine scotch whisky, his life-long beverage of choice. He and his family also enjoyed post-Christmas stays at Yellow Point Lodge for many years. George married Francette d'Estrubé in 1957, and they had four children. In 1972, he married Louise Liersch (née Roy) bringing three more children into the family. They settled into a lovely home in Oak Bay, where George was able to exercise his passion for lawn tennis by building a grass court in the backyard. The court was a source of great pleasure to George who loved to impress his tennis buddies by hosting them every Saturday during the summer. He and Louise never travelled without a tennis racquet in their bags. Together they regularly attended the Wimbledon Championship, and always made time to play in seniors tournaments at the South Cowichan Lawn Tennis Club. His was a life truly and well lived. George was predeceased by his parents, Earle and Hopie, his Uncle Rex and his Aunts Georgie, Anna and Kathleen, his wives, Francette and Louise, and his two sisters, Betty Collins and Gene McMorris. He is survived by children, Alan (Liz), Patty (Keith), Monique (Michael) Douglas, Leslie (David), Brenda (Chris) and Alix; 12 grandchildren; nephew, David and nieces, Robyn and Nicola. George doted on his grandchildren, each year organizing the annual Easter egg hunt at the family home. Cremation has occurred. A Celebration of George's Life will be held at the Union Club in Victoria on Thursday, October 20. The family wish to thank the many medical professionals who looked after George in recent years, especially Dr Buie, the palliative care unit at the Royal Jubilee Hospital; and Barb Cronkrite and Ling Wang, who lovingly attended to him at home. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to a Charity of Your Choice.