John Hadwen

John Hadwen

John Hadwen Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Aug. 9 to Aug. 11, 2007.
HADWEN, John Gaylard Died peacefully at age 84 at the cottage. Beloved husband of Shirley Vivyan (nee Brown), they were happily married for 52 full years. Proud of his 4 sons and daughters-in-law Timothy and Alison, Peter and Marilyn, Matthew and Simone, Anthony and Wendy. Delighted with 14 feisty grandchildren Jacob and David; Olivia, Nicola and Jonathan; Elizabeth, Jeremiah, Carissa, Thomas, Paul, Samuel and Mary; Amanda and Alexander. Close to his brother Theodore and sister Anne. Son of the late Alden and Seymour Andre. He enjoyed his extended family and many friends. Born in Toronto. Graduate of University of Toronto Schools, University of Toronto (Trinity College) and attended London School of Economics. Served in Italy and the liberation of Holland in World War II with the Royal Canadian Artillery. Joined his cherished Department of External Affairs in 1950 and served for 33 years. Assistant to Lester B. Pearson and Paul Martin Sr. Posted to Pakistan, the United Nations and Norway. Ambassador/High Commissioner to Malaysia, Singapore and Burma; Pakistan and Afghanistan, India and Nepal. Director General responsible for Consular Affairs, Personnel, and Security and Intelligence. Author of "How United Nations Decisions are Made" with Johan Kaufmann, and numerous essays and articles, most recently on the portraitist Hans Holbein. Generous, supportive, determined, energetic, astute, devoted to public service, collector and correspondent, an excellent dancer, with a great sense of humour, creative to the last, he lived a rich life. He will be so much missed and, at the same time, as he would have wanted, we will press on, trying to plan ahead. A funeral will be held in Ottawa in early September with details to follow.

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September 3, 2007

Lorne Green posted to the memorial.

August 29, 2007

Someone posted to the memorial.

August 25, 2007

James Bartleman posted to the memorial.

21 Entries

Lorne Green

September 3, 2007

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.

August 29, 2007

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

James Bartleman

August 25, 2007

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

Will Brereton

August 21, 2007

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

Steve Wahl

August 16, 2007

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

Susan Ursel

August 15, 2007

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

Sean Haffey

August 14, 2007

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.

Ian Sherwood

August 13, 2007

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

Charles ( and Lisa) Svoboda

August 12, 2007

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.

Susi Milne

August 11, 2007

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.

Harry Jay

August 11, 2007

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

Ruth Ann McClure

August 10, 2007

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)

Peter Richards

August 9, 2007

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

Howard Cummer

August 9, 2007

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

Bob Gayner

August 9, 2007

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

Elizabeth Heatherington

August 9, 2007

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

Angus W.J. (Ron) Robertson

August 9, 2007

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

Mary Haffey

August 9, 2007

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.

Brian & Mary Ann Buckley

August 9, 2007

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.

Glen Buick

August 9, 2007

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.

Margaret Brown

August 9, 2007

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

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September 3, 2007

Lorne Green posted to the memorial.

August 29, 2007

Someone posted to the memorial.

August 25, 2007

James Bartleman posted to the memorial.