GORHAM, RICHARD VESSOT - Richard Vessot Gorham B.A. M.A, LLD, ONB, 84, of Gorham’s Bluff, NB, known to all as “Dick” and to his grandchildren as “Grampy”, passed away peacefully on June 18, 2011. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by his beloved wife Dorie (Landry) Gorham, children Pat (Murray), Halifax, Tim (Naomi), Rockland, ON, Bob (Wendy), Ottawa, and Andy (Kirsten), Ottawa, and grandchildren Alex, Clare, Emma, Nathan, Isaac and Grace. He was pre-deceased by his father, Raymond, mother Marie, his brother Paul, and sisters Helene and Marcelle and by his beloved eldest son Nick. Also mourning his loss are his cousin, Ernie Gorham, good friend, Danielle Godbout and many nieces and nephews, who all enjoyed his great good humour and endless stories when visiting Gorham’s Bluff. As a community leader and active builder of the Kingston Peninsula region, Dick will be greatly missed by friends, colleagues and neighbours who counted on him as a person with ideas and commitment, who could roll up his sleeves and make things happen. Dick’s fascination with the world began early on, with a stint in the merchant marine at eighteen that took him to the Mediterranean, Spain and Northern Europe. After completing undergraduate studies at UNB and Post Graduate Studies at Clark University, Dick joined Canada’s Foreign Service, Far East Division, in 1952. He began his adventure as a world traveler with a six year assignment in Japan in 1954, cementing a deep and lifelong love for that country, which included mastery of spoken and written Japanese, one of seven languages in his repertoire. Over thirty years, Dick also served in India and Cambodia, as well as a second tour in Japan. He served as Canada’s Ambassador to the Peoples Republic of China (1984-1991) and was Roving Ambassador and Permanent Observer to the Organization of Latin American States (1987-1990). Dick had the good fortune and skill to lead a large and exciting life through his career, but his heart was always in the Kingston Peninsula, where he and Dorie were able to lead an active and vibrant retirement on their beautiful property at Gorham’s Bluff, contributing to community life, and strengthening rural New Brunswick. Dick was the catalyst for and founding member of the tremendously successful Kingston Farmers Market Cooperative. Dick also served as adjunct professor at the University of New Brunswick; on the Public Complaints Commission of the RCMP; the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission; Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission; Royal District Planning Commission; N.B Municipalities Act Review Panel; Local Service district Advisory Committee; Peninsula Heritage Inc.; Kingston Vision 2000; Kingston Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, the Kingston Ambulance Service Inc, and lent his volunteer services to countless projects in the region and around the Province.
In recognition of this important community work and his impressive career, Dick was awarded the Order of New Brunswick in 2006.
Visitation will take place at Reid’s Funeral Home (506-832-5541), 1063 Main Street, Hampton on Thursday, June 23, 2011 from 2 to 4pm and 6- to 8pm. Please plan to join family and friends to celebrate Dick’s life at Trinity Church, Kingston on Friday, June 24, 2011 at 1:00pm. A reception will be held at Kingston Parish Hall immediately following the service. Interment will take place in Trinity Cemetery at a later date. Memorials to Parkinson Society Canada would be appreciated. Online memorials and condolences may be made at: www.reidsfh.com