John Richardson

Background

Richardson, John was born on December 1, 1932 in Peterborough, Canada.

Education

Bachelor in Economics, U. Ottawa, 1957; certified secondary school teaching, U. Ottawa, 1961; certified secondary school principal, U. Ottawa Master of Education in Ednl. Administration, U. Toronto, 1969.

Career

His career was in education and defence. He served with the Canadian Forces from 1952, including a tour of duty in Germany. He eventually reached the rank of Brigadier General as a reservist.

After his retirement from education, Richardson was elected in the 1993 federal election at the Perth—Wellington—Waterloo electoral district for the Liberal party.

After riding restructuring, he was re-elected at the Perth—Middlesex electoral district in the 1997 and 2000 federal elections. In all, Richardson served in the 35th and 36th Canadian Parliaments but abruptly resigned 11 October 2002 before completing his term in the 37th Canadian Parliament.

The reasons for his resignation were initially declared to be "personal", but later reports indicated Richardson had been ill for some time. A subsequent by-election loss of Richardson"s riding to Progressive Conservative candidate Gary Schellenberger was blamed by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien on Richardson"s reluctance to leave Canadian politics when his health began deteriorating.

Richardson died in his birth city of Peterborough, Ontario on 2 June 2010 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Achievements

• John Richardson has been listed as a noteworthy Member of parliament by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Fundraiser Young Men’s Christian Association. Canvasser Heart and Stroke Campaign. Chairperson Province of Ontario Education Week Program.

Member finance committee Stratford and Area Habitat for Humanity. Lieutenant Royal Canadian Air Force, 1957-1960, brig.-general, chief of staff RCAFR, 1989-1992.

Interests

• Avocations: golf, squash, gardening.

Connections

M. Bonnie McNab; 5 children.