W. Thomas Molloy Explained

Honorific-Prefix:His Honour the Honourable
W. Thomas Molloy
Honorific-Suffix:OC SOM QC
Order:22nd
Office:Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan
Term Start:March 21, 2018
Term End:July 2, 2019
Governor General:Julie Payette
Premier:Scott Moe
Predecessor:Vaughn Schofield
Successor:Russell Mirasty
Birth Name:William Thomas Molloy
Birth Date:27 July 1940
Birth Place:Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Death Place:Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Alma Mater:University of Saskatchewan
St. Thomas More College
Profession:Lawyer

William Thomas Molloy[1] (July 27, 1940 – July 2, 2019) was a Canadian lawyer, treaty negotiator, and Chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan. He was the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, the viceregal representative of Queen Elizabeth II of Canada in the Province of Saskatchewan.

Molloy was appointed Lieutenant Governor by the Governor General of Canada, Julie Payette, on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on January 22, 2018,[2] to succeed Vaughn Solomon Schofield. He was sworn in on March 21, 2018, at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building. He died of pancreatic cancer just over a year later, on July 2, 2019. The Province of Saskatchewan accorded Molloy a state memorial service on July 13, 2019.

Biography

Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on July 27, 1940, Molloy received a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Thomas More College and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Saskatchewan both in 1964.[3] He was called to the Bar in both Saskatchewan and Alberta. He was counsel with the Saskatoon law firm of Molloy Negotiations.

He was the Chief Negotiator for the Government of Canada in the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement, and for the Nisga'a Final Agreement.

He was the author of the book, The World Is Our Witness: The Historic Journey of the Nisga'a into Canada.

In 1996, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for "his integrity, commitment to a just settlement and personable rapport". In 2012, he was made a Member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.

On January 22, 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Molloy's appointment as the next Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, to succeed Vaughn Solomon Schofield.[4] He was formally installed on March 21, 2018.[5] [6]

On May 7, 2019, Molloy's office announced that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was stepping away from his post to undergo treatment, with his duties temporarily being taken over by Robert G. Richards, Chief Justice of Saskatchewan.[7] He died of the disease on July 2, 2019.[8]

On July 13, 2019, the Province of Saskatchewan accorded a state memorial service to Molloy in Saskatoon. Amongst those attending were the Governor General, Julie Payette; the Premier of Saskatchewan, Scott Moe; the federal Minister of Public Safety, Ralph Goodale; former Premier Roy Romanow, who was a classmate of Molloy at the University of Saskatchewan; and Perry Bellegarde, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.[9]

Honours and Arms

Honours

Coat of Arms

Escutcheon:Tierced in pairle reversed Or Vert and Purpure on a plate two scrolls in saltire Azure.
Crest:A garb Or charged with a rose Gules barbed and seeded Proper and issuant from an ancient crown Purpure.
Supporters:Two lions guardant Or each gorged of a collar Azure pendent therefrom a rose Gules barbed and seeded standing on a mount of Western red lilies roses and white lilies Proper.[11]
Motto:Trust Understanding and Patience
Notes:Granted 15 May 2019.

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tom Molloy named Saskatchewan's next lieutenant-governor.
  2. Web site: Tom Molloy. 22 January 2018.
  3. Book: Martindale-Hubbell International Law Directory. 23 July 2018. Martindale-Hubbell. 9781561603770. Google Books.
  4. Web site: Prime Minister announces new Lieutenant Governor for Saskatchewan. 22 January 2018.
  5. Web site: Lieutenant governor to be sworn in March 21. 9 March 2018.
  6. Web site: Tom Molloy becomes Saskatchewan's 22nd Lieutenant-Governor. Drew. Postey.
  7. https://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/lieutenant-governor-getting-treatment-for-pancreatic-cancer "Lieutenant Governor getting treatment for pancreatic cancer", Regina Leader-Post, May 7, 2019.
  8. News: Saskatchewan Lt.-Gov. William Thomas Molloy dies of pancreatic cancer at age 78. July 2, 2019. July 2, 2019. The Canadian Press. Times Colonist.
  9. https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/state-memorial-service-held-for-tom-molloy-saskatchewans-22nd-lieutenant-governor Alexa Lawlor, "State memorial service held for Tom Molloy, Saskatchewan's 22nd lieutenant-governor", Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, July 14, 2019.
  10. https://www.gg.ca/en/media/news/2019/message-governor-general-following-passing-his-honour-honourable-w-thomas-molloy-lieutenant-governor "Message from the Governor General Following the Passing of His Honour the Honourable W. Thomas Molloy, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan", Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, July 2, 2019.
  11. Web site: William Thomas Molloy. Canadian Heraldic Authority . 11 September 2019 .