John Hadwen

Dear Shirley:
Valerie joins me in sending condolences on your great loss. We have fond memories of the sense of humour, and wisdom that you both brought to the Embassy in Pakistan during the difficult post-war days of 1972. You both were a tonic in an otherwise difficult time.

Dear Hadwen family,

Please accept our deepest condoleances for the loss of such a dear and special person. His great spirit and deep sense of family were very touching to me (rp)and I know will live on with and through you. Having experienced the still recent loss of both of my parents, I can appreciate the profound emptiness you must all be feeling right now. Our prayers are with you.

XX Rana, Bill, Veronique and Melanie

Dear Shirley, Marie-Jeanne and I were devastated to learn of the passing of John. He was a wonderful person and a close and loyal friend. Jim Bartleman

Dear Olivia,

I am terribly sorry to hear of your grandfather's passing. My brother James and I have been thinking of you and your family dearly during this time. I give my condolences to your family.

Love,
Will

Tim and Allison:
My sincere condolences to you and all members of the family

Dear Tim:
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. It is never easy, and especially not so when it is someone as obviously cherished and loved as your father. Please know my thoughts are with you,

Susan Ursel

I haven't seen John Hadwen since a summer garden party you hosted in the early 1990s. It provides a fitting memory of Mr. Hadwen: full of laughter and life, and looking forward to the next adventure (being a guest speaker on a cruise). He will be missed.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

I'm remember John Hadwen teaching us how play the card game "oh Hell" up at the Sherwood family Cottage at Blue Sea Lake. He a tremendous sense of humour and joie de vivre. ...

Ian Sherwood

Dear Shirley,
Even though I hadn't seen John for some years, I have always had much admiration for him. I know he will be missed by his many friends and ex colleagues. Our condolences to you and your family.

Dear Sweet Hadwen Boys

I only met your father a few times and he was seemed a generous dignified man. I am sorry to hear of his passing. I wish you well and send you tidings of love. I am very sorry for your loss.

Dear Shirley: Dorothy and I believe we know how much John meant to you. Nearly as much as he meant to us and his vast array of sorrowing friends.

Harry Jay

Dear Peter, Marilyn, Jonathan, Nicola and Olivia;
We are very sad to hear of this news. Know that our thoughts are with you all.
Love Your Friends,
Ruth Ann, Murray and Alexander McClure (Ottawa, ON)

Dear Shirley

and "the boys", as I remember them when we all were very young in the best Canadian diplomatic mission I ever experienced at any level, bar none.

John Hadwen was everything a mentor could be. He had integrity and humour, increasingly uncommon virtues and a rare mix even then.

Beyond smart, he had the gift of being able to motivate through understanding and calling out the best. I have not seen him often enough over the past 30-odd years. Each reunion was good. I shall continue to admire and miss him. He was a good man. He is a good man.

Peter Richards
Second Secretary, Kuala Lumpur, 1970-72

Dear Shirley,
As you will recall, John was my first boss in Malaysia and perhaps the best I ever had. We will always remember him with great affection and will continue to tell the stories which made up the "Golden Age of Kuala Lumpur". We extend to you and all the family our deepest condolences.
Howard and Esther Cummer

Shirley: We will all miss John. My sons Bill and Michael join in offering condolences to you and your sons.

Dear Shirley,
We are very sad to hear this news. It seems just the other day that I was talking to you both at St Bart's about various things, and John was so wise, witty and funny, as always. He will be missed by so many friends and colleagues. He has been one of the most respected members of External/Foreign Affairs Canada and many us were blessed with the benefits of his teaching and wise counsel. Our memories of being with you both are wonderful, and full of happiness. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all the family. Love, Liz, Scott and Ward Heatherington

Shirley:
my deepest condolences. I only knew you and John (originally from the days when I was dragooned - because I don't dance!- into the dance Club - where you both excelled) but I also extend my sympathies to the rest of your family.
All my best,
Ron

I first met John when I was 10 and had just arrived in Malaysia. As we entered the house, John introducted himself, and then said "the boys are upstairs in the bath, if you want to join them." I am still giggling. Thanks John for making Malaysia one of the fondest postings ever.

John's passing is a great loss to the entire Foreign Service community. He brought a depth of wisdom and experience to every subject he addressed. Our sincere condolences.

John was my Director General when I served in Consular Policy Division in the late 70s. He was enormously energetic, insightful, loyal and fun to work with. The world is poorer for his passing, but we are all richer for having known him.

As my best friend Laurie Near put it: "(Uncle John was) so full of life and fun fun fun!" He is greatly missed. MAX/Margaret