I have always held
Nelson Mandela in high regard and am amazed at his longevity and fortitude to
hold on to life in the face of ongoing health issues which he manages to keep
at bay together -plus the debilitating effects of increasing age -which even he cannot control. When
considering his long and difficult life -including a 27 year incarceration in
the notorious prison on Robyn Island, who can but be inspired at his ability to
put this all behind him, even dealing with many of his erstwhile oppressors to
emerge as the prime mover in creating the blueprint for a new South Africa.
Nelson Mandela
Two other inspirational leaders have been a positive inspiration not
only their own people but the world at large and who, with Mr Mandela, would surely
take the podium positions in any such global list. They are Au Sang Suu Kyi who has overcome
virtually a lifetime of oppression to emerge as the leader leader of a (hopefully) democratic
Burma
Au Sang Suu Kyi
-and thirdly Mahatma Gandhi who also trod a path of pain and oppression in his massive efforts to achieve independence
to India and also to overcome inter-religious strife.
I then contemplated as to whom I could add of more geographically local origins As far
His efforts have resulted in a lasting legacy, not just in Canada, but around the world. The annual "Terry Fox Run", first held in 1981, has grown to involve millions of participants in over 60 countries and is now the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research. Over $600 million has been raised in his name.
Terry Fox
Next to Terry is the equally inspiring Rick Hansen. Following a pick-up truck accident at the age of 15, accident, he sustained a spinal cord injury that paralyzed him from the waist down. he went on to become a world-class paralympic athlete, winning six Olympic medals and 19 wheelchair Marathons including three world championships. However despite these achievements he is best remembered for his "Man in Motion" tour in which, inspired by the courage of Terry Fox, he decided to undertake a similar journey for spinal cord injury research. However his plan was far more challenging. He planned to circle the world in his wheelchair. This resulted in a 26 month trek, logging more than 40000 km through 34 countries on four continents. He returned to Vancouver to cheering crowds of thousands after raising $26 million for spinal cord research and quality of life initiatives. Like Terry Fox, he was hailed as an international hero. Rick is currently President and CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation which has generated more than $200 million for spinal cord injury related programmes and the development of a registry to facilitate the sharing of vital information on which treatment is the most appropriate for specific types of spinal cord injuries.
Rick Hansen
I initially “discovered” my next
Canadian by his image –not by virtue of him having any self absorption or
superficial personality traits but just that
- his image. Following any natural catastrophic or any other calamitous
event, TV news footage would almost inevitably show a affable, burly, bald
figure in the forefront seemingly calling the shots in administering any
disaster relief. From humble beginnings
in Montreal Rahul Singh, after 12
years as a paramedic, and with a passion for humanitarian assistance founded his
own company, GlobalMedic. Its operating mandate is to provide immediate disaster
relief in the aftermath of natural disasters and any other catastrophic events,
Haiti being a prime example. Since its formation, Global Medic has led over 60
missions to over 30 countries. Globalmedic also specializes in supplying water
purification units to provide essential clean drinking water to those locations.
Although seemingly trying to avert publicity; with a profile like Rahul’s, he
is difficult to miss. His team, as well as his international leadership has not gone
unrecognized. Among other plaudits, Rahul has received a Canada’s Top 40
under 40 Award and was voted by Time Magazine readers as one of the Top 100
Most Influential People in the World in 2010. Rahul is now a recipient of the Order of
Ontario, the province’s highest honour, and more recently was personally
presented with the Queen’s Jubilee award by Prince Charles. Still in his early forties, hopefully the
world will be able to benefit from his care and compassion for many years to
come.
Rahul Singh
My final four are somewhat different in that by virtue of my position of Sales Executive for de Havilland Aircraft (-later Bombardier) I personally met
all of them. Once again all four virtually chose themselves and indeed make a well deserved comparison with the foregoing.
The first two of these heroes have made enormous contributions to Canada’s
First Nations communities.
Firstly there is Mary Simon
who has spent her life working to improve the lot of humanity and in particular
the Inuit people. Her husband, George Simon
was one of my business customers who ran the airline “Air Inuit” which provides
air service from Montreal to and between all the remote Inuit communities
across Northern Quebec.
I met Mary
when George invited me to his home where I was introduced to her and their son.
She possessed none of the normal Inuit characteristics and could readily be identified
as Italian or possibly Spanish. Despite appearances, she had been born in the
east Ungava community of
Kangirsualuujjuaq -and it doesn’t get much more Inuit than that! Her
career path has been nothing less than spectacular. This astonishing
list of activities and achievements are gleaned from sources devoted to her
career:-
-CBC Northern Radio
Service as a producer and announcer
-President; Inuit
Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), the official voice of the Inuit people.
-President and
Special Envoy of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference.
-Ambassador
for Circumpolar Affairs, Dept of Foreign Affairs and International Trade 1994
to 2003.
-Canadian Ambassador to
Denmark (1999-2001)
-Founding Chair of the
Arctic Children and Youth Foundation
-Councillor for the
International Council for Conflict Resolution
-Chancellor of Trent
University (1995 to 1999).
-Order of Canada
-Order of Quebec
-Gold Order of Greenland.
National Aboriginal Achievement Award
-Gold Medal of the Royal
Canadian Geographical Society.
-Fellow of the Arctic
Institute of North America and the Royal Canadian Geographic Society.
-and this is only a
partial list!
In 2013, now 66 years old,
Mary continues her work to this day. She has gained the respect of many heads
of government and international organizations through her diplomacy and
firmness of purpose. She has become a respected international advisor on
important issues such as the environment, human rights, scientific research and
development and promotion of peace. What an extraordinary woman! Am not alone in thinking that she would have
been an inspired choice for Governor-General of Canada
Mary Simon in the House of Commons
Secondly
comes another individual whose life was spent in the service of the other “camp”
of the First Nations communities –the Crees of Quebec: -enter charismatic Billy Diamond. At the tender age of 22
he had became the First Chief of the Quebec Crees, something for which, as he
would readily admit, he was woefully unprepared. The massive social problems
with which he was confronted were overwhelming and it was not long before he
trod the path familiar to many of his fellows; that of chronic overindulgence
in fermented and distilled products. This almost killed him until the day came
when -according to him, he experienced a “Road to Damascus” type spiritual
transformation, after which, no doubt the result of considerable discipline and
application, he was able to conquer his demons. He was outraged by
the arrogance of the Quebec Government who set up a Crown Corporation to have
absolute authority over the construction of an enormous hydroelectric project -
without even bothering to inform the Cree. Despite considerable logistic
difficulties he managed to get the remotely located Cree village chiefs
together and to formulate an action plan.
Duriing the four years that followed, the Quebec Government learned never to disregard the Cree or Billy Diamond again. Eventually he was instrumental in getting the landmark –“The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement” signed on November 11, 1975. During these intervening years, he even visited the Pope requesting his assistance and also worked with the United Nations on behalf of Indigenous People.
He was friends with the renowned Deluce aviation family, another of my business customers based in Timmins. Billy was particularly close to Stan, his oldest son, Bill and his brother, Bob. Billy was anxious to improve the transportation options for his people and with the assistance of the Deluces led to the formation of the Crees’ own airline, Air Creebec with Billy as President and Austin Airways owning 49%, providing much of the necessary expertise. This was just one of various business enterprises in which Billy became involved, all with a view to improving the prospects of the Cree. Another of these involved a business arrangement he had forged with Yamaha, who designed a fibreglass boat to replace the traditional Inuit flat bottomed wooden craft which in its arduous operating environment, have a very short life. After setting up the manufacturing facility, Billy insisted that all work was to be done by Cree workmen with Yamaha acting in an advisory capacity.
With the Deluces’ and Billy’s agreement, I organised an aircraft demonstration tour for Air Creebec, visiting the Cree communities scattered along the eastern shores of James. With Billy on board we headed north. This was my first meeting with him. He was not overly tall, about 5’ 10” but very barrel-chested, (relics of a beer belly?), be-spectacled with longish curly hair, uncommon for a 34 year old Cree. He cut an imposing figure with a voice to match. However he proved to have a great comedic sense and was immensely likeable. During the next couple of days I got to know Billy well and was regaled with many amusing and self deprecating anecdotes as well as the details of his Yamaha project above. En route, he pointed out the vastness of the hydroelectric project which could be-seen below.
Duriing the four years that followed, the Quebec Government learned never to disregard the Cree or Billy Diamond again. Eventually he was instrumental in getting the landmark –“The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement” signed on November 11, 1975. During these intervening years, he even visited the Pope requesting his assistance and also worked with the United Nations on behalf of Indigenous People.
He was friends with the renowned Deluce aviation family, another of my business customers based in Timmins. Billy was particularly close to Stan, his oldest son, Bill and his brother, Bob. Billy was anxious to improve the transportation options for his people and with the assistance of the Deluces led to the formation of the Crees’ own airline, Air Creebec with Billy as President and Austin Airways owning 49%, providing much of the necessary expertise. This was just one of various business enterprises in which Billy became involved, all with a view to improving the prospects of the Cree. Another of these involved a business arrangement he had forged with Yamaha, who designed a fibreglass boat to replace the traditional Inuit flat bottomed wooden craft which in its arduous operating environment, have a very short life. After setting up the manufacturing facility, Billy insisted that all work was to be done by Cree workmen with Yamaha acting in an advisory capacity.
With the Deluces’ and Billy’s agreement, I organised an aircraft demonstration tour for Air Creebec, visiting the Cree communities scattered along the eastern shores of James. With Billy on board we headed north. This was my first meeting with him. He was not overly tall, about 5’ 10” but very barrel-chested, (relics of a beer belly?), be-spectacled with longish curly hair, uncommon for a 34 year old Cree. He cut an imposing figure with a voice to match. However he proved to have a great comedic sense and was immensely likeable. During the next couple of days I got to know Billy well and was regaled with many amusing and self deprecating anecdotes as well as the details of his Yamaha project above. En route, he pointed out the vastness of the hydroelectric project which could be-seen below.
At each stop I was astonished at the reception he
received by the local communities. Virtually
all the villagers turned out and it was clear that to them Billy was like a
demi-god. In deference we insisted that he deplaned first. At each location he
donned a baseball cap with “CHIEF” emblazoned on the front and stood on the
steps at the rear door, arms outstretched somewhat like a latter day Messiah! Everyone
flocked around him, the children grabbing at his legs demanding his individual
attention. They clearly adored him and Billy did nothing to disabuse them of
the notion. It was very plain that over his (-at that time) 12 year “reign”, his Herculean efforts and achievements for his people had
become the stuff of legend and had earned him great respect from all quarters
and a reputation as a great and charismatic leader. His tireless efforts
continued undiminished over the years. The demonstration tour was a success. It
was probably the highlight of my career when some months later, following a
major sales campaign across Canada, a group of Canadian regional airlines
including Air Creebec ordered no fewer than 42 Dash 8 aircraft with a further
10 on option. I met Billy on his arrival and was delighted to present him to
representatives of the other participating airlines in the Conference Room
where all the contracts were signed. To this day both Air Creebec (and Air
Inuit), continue to operate fleets of de Havilland aircraft
.
.
Signing Ceremony.
Billy extreme right; Stan Deluce centre, with light suit in front of me; with Bill Deluce on his left,
Billy extreme right; Stan Deluce centre, with light suit in front of me; with Bill Deluce on his left,
The latter
part of my working career was spent in the Orient and my two final picks come
from this region.The first of these, Gordon
Poon from Beijing is deservedly something of a national icon.
Having
trained as a pilot in the USA, he returned to China and flew for the Chinese
National Aviation Corporation (CNAC). Flew over 500 dangerous missions “Over
the Hump” (-Himalayas) during the war -more than any other pilot. After the war
he was instrumental in the formation of China’s first airline administration (CAAC);
was its first Chief Pilot and flew its first inaugural flight. He then fell afoul
of the xenophobic Cultural Revolution under Mao Tse Tung. Being a close friend
and pilot of the then Premier Chou en Lai and with his US background, he was
jailed, beaten, tortured and starved for ten years in ongoing and unsuccessful
attempts to get him to betray Chou. He also steadfastly refused to join the
Communist Party. His health was ruined.
With the
demise of the Cultural Revolution Chou En Lai had him fully reinstated and
installed in a high position in the Government where he was an ongoing father
figure, an inspiration to all and continued to serve until his death in 1999.
In was in his position as President of the Beijing Aviation Consulting Service
that I met him on several visits. He was very thin, gaunt and with virtually no
teeth, looked very frail. Despite all he had suffered, his spirit was truly
inspirational and his overall demeanor positively boyish. As with the case with
Mr Mandela, he had miraculously put all resentment or bitterness behind him and
was very highly regarded by all.
His health
was indeed fragile and his mistreatment had had the effect of shrinking his
stomach to the size of a tennis ball. Amazingly his main diet consisted of
beer! Indeed he had a fridge amply stocked with this commodity in his office.
Consequently he lived a life in a state of mild inebriation, a situation which
seemed to be to his entire satisfaction. He referred to it as “liquid bread”
and apparently was the medical recommendation. Despite his very limited stomach
volume, one of his main social delights was the typical Chinese banquet;
something with which I would become very familiar wherever I went in
China. After two or three chopstick loads
he was replete which left more time for beer and conversation, in both of which
he excelled! Gordon was virtually the only person in the Chinese administration
to be provided with a car and driver. When we were in Beijing he insisted upon
making it available for our daily business use -including transportation to and
from banquets! His indomitable spirit
and charm was an inspiration to anyone who knew him and I consider myself very
fortunate to have had that experience.
My shot of a typical "Banquet". Gordon with lean and hungry look -extreme left. My work colleague C.C. Kuo second from right. The remainder are senior CAAC executives.
Part of Gordon's obituary in 1999.
Another extraordinary Chinese person completes my top ten. Thomas H.C. Cheung is currently the Chairman and Chief executive Officer of over thirty companies in Hong Kong Singapore and Taiwan.He founded the Thomas H.C. Cheung Foundation which contributes to the community-at-large. He is specially supportive of the Chinese University of Hong Kong(CUHK) to which he has made enormous contributions. He has made magnanimous donations to the University to set up scholarships, build sports facilities, sponsor staff and student activities, and suppport medical research. He has been a member of the University Council since 1991, and over the years has served on virtually every committee.He has been particularly active in providing assistance to women and one of his post-graduate scholarships is specially for women students.He was also instrumental in establishing the Thomas Cheung School and a range of other facilities including the Thomas Cheung Gymnasium. He was conferred with the degree of Doctor of Law by CUHK and is a life member of the International Lions clubs.As if this were not enough, he is also honorary Vice-Consul for Sri Lanka in Hong Kong and Macao. This office serves as a proxy embassy for any visiting Sri Lankans. He has been awaarded the national honour Sri Lanka Ranjanaby by the president of Sri Lanka. He was also presented to the Pope during a visit to the island.
Of my ten heroes, he is by far the best known to me. At least I thought he was. Astoundingly, during the 14 years of our acquaintance, apart from the Sri Lankan connection and his school, I was completely unaware of the above! It was only after some deliberate “leaks” from his proud executives and considerable research that all this came to light. I first encountered him in connection with an aviation business which he owned in Taiwan. Such a favorable impression did he make that I asked him if he would be interested in becoming company agent (-consultant in polite language) for Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao. He enthusiastically agreed, and the documentation was signed.From then on, on all my arrivals at Kai Tek airport I would be met by either a Rolls Royce or Daimler limousine and whisked in splendor to my hotel. Later on the car would return and provide transportation to one of the many night clubs in Wanchai where Tommy would be host for the evening. I then discovered that this was typical behavior. He is avid supporter of Canada (Canadiophile?) and has a home in Vancouver. Although very generous to all comers, Tommy made it his particular business to look after Canadian visitors. I have absolutely no idea how he managed to fit everything in. He seemed to have enormous influence and all of it positive. Typically one Saturday afternoon he took me on his motor launch to the visiting US Midway aircraft carrier for a guided tour. Later on, I took my wife Margaret on a vacation to the Philippines and Hong Kong. Tommy got wind of this and on our arrival, the Daimler was waiting and upon checking in at the hotel,we found a huge bouquet of flowers together with a welcoming card. His attention to our well being was almost overwhelming A car and driver was provided for the duration and it was then at the insistence of the driver (-who swore us to secrecy) that we were taken to see the (still under construction) Thomas Cheung School in Shatin. Whilst having a multitude of business and academic activities to occupy him, it seemed that above all,doing good things for others -and to keep it private, is his prime motivator. I have never met anyone else remotely like him.
Another extraordinary Chinese person completes my top ten. Thomas H.C. Cheung is currently the Chairman and Chief executive Officer of over thirty companies in Hong Kong Singapore and Taiwan.He founded the Thomas H.C. Cheung Foundation which contributes to the community-at-large. He is specially supportive of the Chinese University of Hong Kong(CUHK) to which he has made enormous contributions. He has made magnanimous donations to the University to set up scholarships, build sports facilities, sponsor staff and student activities, and suppport medical research. He has been a member of the University Council since 1991, and over the years has served on virtually every committee.He has been particularly active in providing assistance to women and one of his post-graduate scholarships is specially for women students.He was also instrumental in establishing the Thomas Cheung School and a range of other facilities including the Thomas Cheung Gymnasium. He was conferred with the degree of Doctor of Law by CUHK and is a life member of the International Lions clubs.As if this were not enough, he is also honorary Vice-Consul for Sri Lanka in Hong Kong and Macao. This office serves as a proxy embassy for any visiting Sri Lankans. He has been awaarded the national honour Sri Lanka Ranjanaby by the president of Sri Lanka. He was also presented to the Pope during a visit to the island.
Of my ten heroes, he is by far the best known to me. At least I thought he was. Astoundingly, during the 14 years of our acquaintance, apart from the Sri Lankan connection and his school, I was completely unaware of the above! It was only after some deliberate “leaks” from his proud executives and considerable research that all this came to light. I first encountered him in connection with an aviation business which he owned in Taiwan. Such a favorable impression did he make that I asked him if he would be interested in becoming company agent (-consultant in polite language) for Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao. He enthusiastically agreed, and the documentation was signed.From then on, on all my arrivals at Kai Tek airport I would be met by either a Rolls Royce or Daimler limousine and whisked in splendor to my hotel. Later on the car would return and provide transportation to one of the many night clubs in Wanchai where Tommy would be host for the evening. I then discovered that this was typical behavior. He is avid supporter of Canada (Canadiophile?) and has a home in Vancouver. Although very generous to all comers, Tommy made it his particular business to look after Canadian visitors. I have absolutely no idea how he managed to fit everything in. He seemed to have enormous influence and all of it positive. Typically one Saturday afternoon he took me on his motor launch to the visiting US Midway aircraft carrier for a guided tour. Later on, I took my wife Margaret on a vacation to the Philippines and Hong Kong. Tommy got wind of this and on our arrival, the Daimler was waiting and upon checking in at the hotel,we found a huge bouquet of flowers together with a welcoming card. His attention to our well being was almost overwhelming A car and driver was provided for the duration and it was then at the insistence of the driver (-who swore us to secrecy) that we were taken to see the (still under construction) Thomas Cheung School in Shatin. Whilst having a multitude of business and academic activities to occupy him, it seemed that above all,doing good things for others -and to keep it private, is his prime motivator. I have never met anyone else remotely like him.
Tommy makes presentation to the winner of his Postgraduate Scholarship
for women in Humanities and Arts
On
reviewing this list, two things stand out. Firstly of the ten eight are, although I hate the expression, members of “Visible Minorities”. There is
absolutely nothing “minor” about any of them! Secondly, seven of the ten had had only
achieved their goals via a path of pain and suffering. In all cases their
stoicism and determination and indomitable human spirit should be an example to
us all.
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