Gerald Merrithew

The Honourable
Gerald Merrithew
PC CD
Member of Parliament
for Saint John
In office
1984–1993
Preceded by Mike Landers
Succeeded by Elsie Wayne
Member of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly
for East Saint John
In office
1974–1984
Preceded by new district
Succeeded by Peter Trites
Member of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly
for Saint John County
In office
1970–1974
Preceded by multi-member district
Succeeded by District abolished
Personal details
Born Gerald Stairs Merrithew
( 1931-09-23)September 23, 1931
Saint John, New Brunswick
Died September 5, 2004(2004-09-05) (aged 72)
Political party Progressive Conservative
Spouse(s) Gloria (Bobbi) McLean
Residence Springfield, New Brunswick
Profession High School Principal
Religion Baptist

Gerald Stairs "Gerry" Merrithew PC CD (September 23, 1931 – September 5, 2004), born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, was an educator, provincial and federal politician, and statesman.

Merrithew graduated from the New Brunswick Teachers' College, then obtained his BA and B.Ed degrees from the University of New Brunswick. With a lifelong interest in the Canadian Forces, he became an Officer Cadet and rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. As a High School Principal, he was active not only in the educational field, but the military, recreational fields, as well as cultural affairs that led to his entering politics.

Provincial politics

First elected to the Saint John City Council in 1971 he went into Provincial politics in 1972, winning a by-election for the Provincial Progressive Conservative Party. Re-elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1974, he would be appointed to the Cabinet as Minister of Education then in 1976, Minister of Commerce & Development. After winning re-election again in 1978 and in 1982, he became the Minister of Natural Resources, Government House Leader, and Deputy Premier.

Federal politics

Gerald Merrithew resigned his provincial seat to run as a Progressive Conservative Party of Canada candidate for the Saint John riding in the 1984 Canadian federal election. Elected to the Canadian House of Commons in Ottawa, and with his party winning the election, Merrithew was immediately appointed Minister of State for Forestry then in 1986 to Forestry & Mines. After winning his seventh consecutive election in 1988, he was appointed Minister for the purpose of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister of Veterans Affairs.

Retirement

In 1993 Merrithew resigned from Cabinet and did not seek re-election. He and his wife retired to their farm in Springfield, New Brunswick at the head of the Belleisle Bay. Active with numerous Military and Veterans Associations, Gerald Stairs Merrithew was a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and also held several directorships including the "26Th Battalion Overseas Association Inc." where in 1995 he was instrumental in publishing the history of the Battalion by S. Douglas MacGowan (ISBN 1896270026).

Gerald Merrithew died of cancer on September 5, 2004.

References

new district MLA for East Saint John
1974–1984
Succeeded by
Peter Trites
(NDP)
multimember district MLA for Saint John County
1970–1974
district abolished
Parliament of Canada
Preceded by
Mike Landers
Member of Parliament for Saint John
1984–1993
Succeeded by
Elsie Wayne
24th Ministry – Cabinet of Brian Mulroney
Cabinet Posts (3)
Predecessor Office Successor
'George Hees' 'Minister of Veterans Affairs'
1988–1993
'Kim Campbell'
himself 'Minister of State for Forestry & Mines'
1986–1988
Mines was part of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Resources
'Marcel Masse'
'John Wise' 'Minister of State for Forestry'
1984–1986
Part of the Ministry of Agriculture
himself
Provincial Government of Richard Hatfield
Cabinet Posts (3)
Predecessor Office Successor
'Edwin G. Allen' 'Minister of Natural Resources'
1982–1984
'Malcolm MacLeod'
'Lawrence Garvie' 'Minister of Commerce & Development'
1976–1982
'Paul Dawson'
'Lorne McGuigan' 'Minister of Education'
1974–1976
'Charles Gallagher'
Special Cabinet Responsibilities
Predecessor Title Successor
' 'Deputy Premier'
1982–1984
'
' 'Government House Leader'
1982–1984
'
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