Campaign News

Gordon Fairweather - Capital Campaign ‘Honourary Legal Counsel’

Contributed by Lisa Keenan

SAINT JOHN - On the surface, it may be puzzling why a renowned legal mind would accept the role of Honourary Legal Counsel for Imperial Theatre’s Capital Campaign.   But those who know Gordon Fairweather well, understand why there is no one more suited to this esteemed role.

Robert Gordon Lee Fairweather, O.C., Q.C., B.C.L. , a retired lawyer and politician, has had many formal accolades bestowed on him during his long career:

• Order of New Brunswick
• Order of Canada
• Federal MP in the House of Commons, representing Fundy-Royal
• Provincial MLA in New Brunswick
• New Brunswick Attorney General
• First Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission
• Founding Chair of Canada's new Immigration and Refugee Board
• Federal Government Outstanding Achievement Award
• New Brunswick Humanitarian Award
• Canadian Red Cross Society Humanitarian Award
• Seven honourary degrees from Canadian Universities

As a boy, Gordon Fairweather journeyed from his home across the fields to watch Erica Dykeman put her brush to canvass or hands to sculpture.  It was here that his love of the arts first took hold.  Eventually he was introduced to the works of Miller Brittain, Jack Humphrey and Fred Ross. To this day, his residence in Rothesay represents a mini gallery with portraits by Bruno Bobak, Molly Lamb Bobak and Jack Humphrey gracing his walls.

His interest in and support of the arts however is not restricted to sculpture and painting but includes music and acting as well. It was common for a performer to look up from the stage and find Gordon and his wife Nancy attending a function at Imperial Theatre with Jackie and Derek Oland or other friends.  And since Nancy’s passing, Gordon attends concerts, such as Handel's Messiah, by himself.

But Gordon is more than an art connoisseur. He is an arts contributor.  He has remained a financial contributor to many ongoing arts projects, not only in this community, but elsewhere in the province.   And he has made a generous personal donation to Imperial Theatre’s Capital Campaign.

Now into his eighties, Gordon continues to be a force to be reckoned with whether it be saving Old South House at his alma mater Rothesay Collegiate School, or his fight to retain UNBSJ in Saint John - he can put any first-year law school student to shame with his endurance and tenacity.

Gordon most recently attended the Glenn Miller concert given at Imperial Theatre in Saint John this fall.  When asked by the conductor, how many people in the audience were veterans, Gordon was one of but a few in attendance who humbly stood and received the applause of the audience.  It was a night for him to remember.

And so, as he enjoys the winter season of his life, the arts community continues to benefit from Gordon's generosity and support.  It has been a love affair which commenced in his youth, was sustained by family and friends, and is cemented in a quiet legacy. He gives all of this to us - now as Imperial Theatre’s ‘Honourary Legal Counsel’.  Bravo!

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