Mr. Speaker, at this very moment in Halifax, family and friends of the late Harold Thomas Shea are gathered to pay their respects to this beloved native Nova Scotian.
Harold Shea was a World War II flying ace, a journalist, once a parliamentary reporter, and ultimately editor-in-chief of one of Canada's only remaining independent newspapers, The Chronicle Herald. Harold was a devoted veteran and leader in the Royal Canadian Legion.
Harold Shea was my first boss. He loved people of all ages and stages and stations in life, but he was especially devoted to encouraging and mentoring young people. He gave me my first real job as a rookie reporter at the age of 18, when I did not have a clue what I was doing. He did not always agree with my politics, but throughout my career he remained a supportive friend and a true inspiration.
Harold had a vast network of family and friends. We will all miss him deeply. We will miss him as a friend, but we will also miss his tireless work and his endless contributions to charitable organizations and community causes, too many to enumerate.
On this occasion we express our deep condolences to Harold's family.