| Notes |
- Obituary in the 3 Jun 2009 Chronicle-Herald, Halifax.
A veterinarian. Served in World War II in the RCAF. Was an MLA and cabinet minister in the NS government of Premier John Buchanan.
Chronicle-Herald, Halifax, 4 Jun 2009
Former health minister Dr. Gerald Sheehy dies
IT SAYS a lot about the character of a man when one of the prominent things he is remembered for is an admirable ability to earn respect from friend and foe alike.
Dr. Gerald Sheehy, the former Tory minister of health under the John Buchanan government of the late 1970s and early '80s who died suddenly Monday, was just such a politician. As Mr. Buchanan said in tribute Tuesday, the late Dr. Sheehy "was almost incapable of making an enemy."
His affable manner, fairness, work ethic and dedication to serving both the constituents of his Annapolis East riding and, in various cabinet roles, all Nova Scotians, earned him respect from people everywhere, regardless of party affiliation.
Dr. Sheehy, 85, first became well known in the Valley as a small town (Middleton) veterinarian. His popularity led to his entering politics, first in 1965, serving for five years as a Middleton town councillor and deputy mayor, then in 1970 as an MLA. In Mr. Buchanan's government in 1978, Dr. Sheehy was first agriculture and marketing minister and then minister of health, a portfolio he held with distinction until 1985.
Dr. Sheehy reorganized Nova Scotia's health system, championed home care and helped expand the work of the drug dependency commission across the province. After stepping down as health minister, he held his seat until the 1988 election, when he did not re-offer.
Dr. Sheehy also fought for his country during the Second World War, serving as an RCAF bomber navigator. After the war, he was extremely active in his community even before he entered politics.
One of Nova Scotia's finest public servants, a man of rare integrity and compassion, has passed away. Our sincerest condolences to Dr. Sheehy's family.
The Canadian Press, 3 Jun 2009
Ex-health minister dies
Gerald Sheehy, 85, was also N.S. vet
Gerald Sheehy, a small-town veterinarian who went on to become a key figure in the government of former Nova Scotia premier John Buchanan, died suddenly Monday. He was 85.
Sheehy, a longtime resident of Middleton, entered public life in 1965 as a town councillor in his hometown and deputy mayor.
He was elected to the Nova Scotia legislature as Conservative member for Annapolis East in 1970 and played a prominent role when Buchanan came to power in 1978.
Sheehy served as health minister from 1978 until he retired from politics in 1985.
He also served as registrar general and minister of agriculture and marketing before returning to Middleton, where he died.
Buchanan said Sheehy "was the epitome of integrity, honesty and hard work."
"He was probably one of the best ministers of health this province has ever, ever had," Buchanan said in an interview Tuesday.
"As a member of my cabinet, he was always hard-working.
"I always like to say Gerry Sheehy was almost incapable of making an enemy. He was well-liked by all members of the legislature, regardless of political party."
The flags at Province House in Halifax flew at half-mast Tuesday in Sheehy's memory.
Premier Rodney MacDonald praised the former politician "as a true gentleman."
"His career as a public servant lasted more than 20 years, and for every day of that long career, the people of his community were foremost on his mind."
Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil, who now represents Sheehy's old riding, said Sheehy served the people of the riding and province "with passion and integrity."
"He was very much respected right across party lines, by Nova Scotians he worked with and by those he worked on behalf of," he said.
Buchanan said Sheehy's legacy in politics was his role in re-organizing the health system of Nova Scotia, particularly hospitals.
"We had the best health system anywhere in Canada. That's a legacy Gerry will always have."
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1924 - 2009 (84 years)