Bond Papers received the following today from Larry Peckford about the passing of Cy Abery. it is a straightforward yet eloquent comment on the nature of public service and public servants.
Larry included a statement issued on 17 February by his brother, former Premier Brian Peckford.
With Larry's permission, here's the full text of the e-mail with the attached message:
I never met Cyril Abery. I do know that he was part of a group of incredibly talented public servants who served the province during the difficult negotiations on the Atlantic Accord. The province was well served by the likes of Cyril Abery and others who served with distinction at that time. We do well to promote and remember these fine individuals. Public servants, particularly at senior levels, are too often the unsung heroes of much that goes on in Government and the attraction and retention of high calibre people is essential to good public administration. Public servants often in the face of considerable challenge, keep a high degree of sanity in government operations and maintain the machinery of government at critical points in time.
Brian's remembrance below is well deserved.
Larry Peckford
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February 17, 2008
The Passing of Cyril J. Abery
Like all of his friends and acquaintances I was shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of 'Cy' Abery.
This passing must not go un-noticed!!!!
Here was a Newfoundlander who served his Province, Government and Premier with intellect, integrity and great loyalty. As my deputy minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, he acted as chief advisor on many important issues of constitutional reform which marked the 1980's as a watershed in the development of public policy in the Province.
His insight and breadth of knowledge on constitutional matters was invaluable to the Government and to me personally. And who can forget his steady hand as chair of the public servant offshore negotiating team during the difficult and intricate Atlantic Accord negotiations?
Modest and well liked among his peers across Canada, and not one to blow his own horn, I wish to exclaim and extol the contributions of Cy Abery, one of the unsung architects of Newfoundland's advancement within the Canadian family.
Honourable A. Brian Peckford P. C
