Gary Richard Harman

Gary Richard Harman (14 April 1929 – 24 July 2012) was a Canadian diplomat. Over a career in the Canadian Foreign Service, he represented Canada in various international postings, including ambassadorships to Cuba, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.[1]

Gary Richard Harman
Canadian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Lebanon
In office
14 May 1990 – 9 August 1990
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterBrian Mulroney
Preceded byHaig Edouard Sarafian (As Chargé d'Affaires)
Succeeded byDavid Martin Collacott
10th Canadian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Syria
In office
13 July 1987 – 9 August 1990
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterBrian Mulroney
Preceded byJacques Noiseux
Succeeded byDavid Martin Collacott
8th Canadian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Jordan
In office
7 August 1985 – 9 July 1987
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterBrian Mulroney
Preceded byKeith William MacLellan
Succeeded byMichael Dougall Bell
Canadian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Cuba
In office
14 July 1977 – 21 June 1981
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime Minister
Preceded byJames Edward Hyndman
Succeeded byJames Karl Bartleman
Chargé d'Affaires at the Canadian Embassy in Egypt
In office
29 December 1970 – 1 August 1971
MonarchElizabeth II
Preceded byThomas Lemesurier Carter (As Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary)
Succeeded byDavid Stansfield (As Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary)
Personal details
Born(1929-04-14)14 April 1929
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Died24 July 2012(2012-07-24) (aged 83)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
SpouseMargaret Siddall
Children3
EducationUniversity of Manitoba
OccupationDiplomat

Early life and education

Harman was born on 14 April 1929 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to the owner of Harman's Drug Store, a community centre during the Great Depression.[2]

He attended Gordon Bell High School, earning the Governor General's Medal upon graduation in 1947.[2]

During his youth, he pursued music, obtaining an Associate of the Royal Schools of Music in 1946 and a Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music in 1948.[2]

Harman attended the University of Manitoba, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History in 1950. His talent as a pianist led to recordings of works by Grieg, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, and Chopin between 1946 and 1962.[2]

Career

Harman began his professional career in the Department of Trade and Commerce before joining the United Nations International Intern Program in New York City in 1952. He married Margaret Siddall in 1954, and the couple started an international career in diplomacy.[2]

From 1970 to 1971, Harman served as Chargé d'Affaires at the Canadian Embassy in Egypt. He later held the following positions:[1]

  • Ambassador to Cuba (1977–1981)
  • Ambassador to Jordan (1985–1987)
  • Ambassador to Syria (1987–1990)
  • Ambassador to Lebanon (May–August 1990), concurrently accredited while resident in Syria.[3]

Harman retired in 1993 and settled in Ottawa.[2]

Personal life

Harman was married to Margaret Siddall for 58 years. Together, they had three children: Lesley, Edward, and Katherine, as well as several grandchildren. Harman developed fluency in French, Russian, Polish, Czech, Arabic, Spanish, and German.[2]

A lover of the arts, Harman supported opera, ballet, theatre, and orchestra. He was an active member of the United Church of Canada.[2]

Death

Gary Harman died of natural causes on 24 July 2012 in Ottawa at the age of 83. His funeral was held at MacKay United Church on 28 July 2012.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b "Canadian Heads of Mission Abroad since 1880: Harman, Gary Richard (career)". Global Affairs Canada. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Gary Richard Harman Obituary". Winnipeg Free Press Passages. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Canadian Heads of Mission Abroad since 1880: Harman, Gary Richard (career) - details: Lebanon". Global Affairs Canada. Retrieved 17 November 2024.