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 | |
| Birth Date: | 14 April 1929 |
| Birth Place: | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Death Place: | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Nationality: | Canadian |
| Spouse: | Margaret Siddall |
| Children: | 3 |
| Occupation: | Diplomat |
| Education: | University of Manitoba |
| Office1: | Canadian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Lebanon |
| Term Start1: | 14 May 1990 |
| Term End1: | 9 August 1990 |
| Predecessor1: | Haig Edouard Sarafian |
| Successor1: | David Martin Collacott |
| Monarch1: | Elizabeth II |
| Primeminister1: | Brian Mulroney |
| Office2: | Canadian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Syria |
| Term Start2: | 13 July 1987 |
| Term End2: | 9 August 1990 |
| Predecessor2: | Jacques Noiseux |
| Successor2: | David Martin Collacott |
| Order2: | 10th |
| Monarch2: | Elizabeth II |
| Primeminister2: | Brian Mulroney |
| Office3: | 8th Canadian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Jordan |
| Term Start3: | 7 August 1985 |
| Term End3: | 9 July 1987 |
| Predecessor3: | Keith William MacLellan |
| Successor3: | Michael Dougall Bell |
| Monarch3: | Elizabeth II |
| Primeminister3: | Brian Mulroney |
| Office4: | Canadian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Cuba |
| Term Start4: | 14 July 1977 |
| Term End4: | 21 June 1981 |
| Predecessor4: | James Edward Hyndman |
| Successor4: | James Karl Bartleman |
| Monarch4: | Elizabeth II |
| Primeminister4: |
|
| Office5: | Chargé d'Affaires at the Canadian Embassy in Egypt |
| Term Start5: | 29 December 1970 |
| Term End5: | 1 August 1971 |
| Predecessor5: | Thomas Lemesurier Carter |
| Successor5: | David Stansfield |
| Monarch5: | Elizabeth II |
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]
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]
Harman retired in 1993 and settled in Ottawa.[2]
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]
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]