Patrick POWER

POWER, Patrick
Proud Newfoundlander
Canadian Armed Forces
Indian Affairs
Secretary of State
1930-2011
Born at St. Kyran's in the country of Newfoundland Life lived in Freshwater, Montreal, Ottawa, Paris and Rome.
Predeceased by his father John and mother Mary (nee Lynch), and brothers: Anthony, Randall and Clarence. Left with fond memories are his daughters Evelyne (Brad) and Natasha (Alexandre); grandchildren Ryan, Dylan, Liam, Margaux and Alexia; brother John; sisters Cecily Newberry (Chuck), Phyllis Goodison (Bill, deceased), and Mary Jaramillo; lifelong friend Raymonde Cayer and a large circle other relatives and friends. Patrick's life will be remembered through the hundreds of stories and adventures he shared with us. His beloved mother Mary (Molly) fled the tsunami of 1929 instilling a sense of adventure in her unborn son. Pat began his journey in St. Kyran's, Newfoundland and followed the progress of his country when relocation from the outports saw his family move to Argentia. As a young boy, he did errands on a bicycle for the American forces based in Argentia during WWII. He enlisted in the Canadian Army as a very young man (1948), and with his Irish luck and charm was soon mastering the first of many foreign languages and joining the glitterati in Italy. Subsequent travels took him to the Canadian Embassy in Paris where his passion for all things European continued (except for the cheese). He left the military as Sgt. Power in 1972, and became the first person with only a grade 6 completion certificate to graduate from Carleton University - St. Patrick's College with Bachelor's Degree. He graduated in 2 years while working full time. He went on to a career in the public service; with Indian Affairs and the Secretary of State. He worked primarily on Aboriginal issues - a lifelong passion, and later served as the Director of Citizenship Programs in Newfoundland and finally as an advisor to the Native Council of Canada. He retired from the Federal Public Service in 1985. When the Berlin Wall fell, he decided to support the development of democracy by teaching at the University of Bratislava. In later years, his health limited extensive travel but he delighted in hearing the exploits of his nephew Carl - a US Air Force Officer and his niece Colleen - a well-known Newfoundland musician. He adored his step- daughter Marina and took great pride in the outstanding accomplishments of his beloved daughters and grandchildren. He delighted in his large, international family and in the polite company of many a special cat. Pat leaves us with a diverse array of memories. He would wish everyone to seize the opportunity to learn, to love and to play. Our sincerest gratitude to all who made his life interesting. Friends and family are invited to the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, Thursday, December 29, 2011 after 12 noon, a Memorial service will be held in the Sacred Space at 1 p.m. followed by a reception. In keeping with Pat's love of animals, donations can be made in his memory to the Ottawa Humane Society.