Retired Canadian senator John Lynch-Staunton, considered a friend of the Canadian cattle industry, died Aug. 17 at the age of 82.
Born in Montreal, Lynch-Staunton spent a lifetime in civic and public duty, beginning as a Montreal city councillor. He was appointed to the Senate by former prime minister Brian Mulroney in 1990.
Lynch-Staunton is a second cousin to former Canadian Cattlemen’s Association president Hugh Lynch-Staunton of Lundbreck, Alta.
“He was a very personable, bright guy,” said Hugh Lynch-Staunton.
He said his second cousin had no agricultural background but nevertheless was able to help government understand the issues surrounding BSE when it was first discovered in Canada in 2003.
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“He helped open doors for us,” said Hugh.
Lynch-Staunton served as government leader in the Senate and also as deputy leader and leader of the opposition in the red chamber.
He served on numerous standing committees and is said to have played a key role in the merger of the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative parties. He was also a close friend of Academy Award winning Canadian actor Christopher Plummer.
Lynch-Staunton died in Pincher Creek, Alta., of a heart attack during a family reunion. He leaves behind his wife, Juliana de Kuyper, five children and numerous grandchildren.
