BEKE o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2008-01-04 published
McLEOD,
Thomas
Hector MacDonald "Tommy"
Thomas McLEOD was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan in August 1918.
He was an only child. He took his schooling in Weyburn, graduating
from Weyburn Collegiate with honours. It was in Weyburn that
Tommy met T.C. Douglas, the young Baptist minister who would
play such an important role in his life. During the Depression,
Douglas organized a boys' group which devoted its time to sports
and boxing, and to debating and drama. Douglas was a graduate
of Brandon College, and persuaded several of his 'boys' to attend
that venerable institution. There Tommy received a B.A. with
distinction. After a Masters degree from Indiana University,
he was urged by President Evans to come back to Brandon to teach
Economics, where he stayed for three years and also met his beloved
wife Beryl.
In 1944, when T.C. Douglas led the Co-Operative Commonwealth
Federation party to a landslide election victory in Saskatchewan,
Premier Douglas asked Tommy to come and work for the new government.
Tommy said that he would have to consult with the College; Douglas
breezily replied that he had already sent his resignation to
the President. Thus began an exciting period of his life, beginning
as advisor to the premier and general troubleshooter, taking
on assignments as Secretary of Health Services Planning, Secretary
of the Economic Planning Board, Chair of the new Budget Bureau,
and ending as Deputy Provincial Treasurer. In between jobs, he
earned two degrees from Harvard University, a Masters in Public
Administration and a PhD in Economics.
When University of Saskatchewan President W.P. Thompson called
in 1952, offering the position of Dean of the College of Commerce,
Tommy decided to begin a new challenge. He enjoyed the Saskatoon
experience immensely. During this period he also served on several
boards and commissions, chairing the Saskatchewan Commission
on Taxation.
In 1964 Tommy returned to Regina as Dean of Arts and Vice Principal
at the new university. In 1971, the Canadian International Development
Agency offered a broader mandate, where Tommy joined the senior
ranks of Canadian International Development Agency travellers,
attempting to sort out administrative problems in several countries,
including Turkey, Iran, Nigeria, and Botswana. So the family
moved to Ottawa, where they stayed for 26 years. Tommy moved
from Canadian International Development Agency to the Federal
Management Institute, acted as administrator of the Anti-Inflation
Board, and held other management positions. Among other honours,
he was especially pleased to be awarded the Vanier Medal from
the Institute of Public Administration in 1971 and the Order
of Canada in 2003. He co-wrote a popular biography of T.C. Douglas
with his son Ian; Tommy Douglas, Road to Jerusalem was published
in 1987.
In 1997 Tommy moved to Victoria, loving the gardens and life
style. He died there peacefully on New Years' Day, 2008. He leaves
behind his loving wife and companion of over 62 years, Beryl,
children Beth
BILSON, Ellen (John
HEANEY), Ian (Vicki
McLEOD),
Brian (Lorraine
THOMAS,) and Morna (David
FIRMAN,) grandchildren
Max BILSON
(Jane
CHAPCO,) Kate
BILSON (Paul
BEKE,) Martin and
Brendan HEANEY, Adrienne and Kelly Firman
McLEOD, and Tom and
Will McLEOD.
His family and many Friends will remember his wit
and wisdom, his sincere modesty, his devotion to family, and
pride in his children's many accomplishments, his unfailing good
humour, his rapport with students, his negotiating and administrative
skills, his ability to relate to almost everybody, and his keen
interest in music, books, cooking and gardening. Indicative of
his wide ranging tastes was that his favourite poets were Robert
Burns and Rumi.
(Epitaph)
Know thou, O stranger to the fame
Of this much loved, much honoured name
(For none that knew him need be told)
A warmer heart death ne'er made cold.
Robert Burns
A memorial service will be arranged at a later date. In lieu
of flowers, contributions to the Tommy and Beryl McLeod scholarships
at Brandon University, 18th St. Brandon, Manitoba, or donations
to United Nations Children's Fund or the Stephen Lewis Foundation
would be appreciated.
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