DORRETT, Reginald Hardy “Reg”

August 1, 1931 — October 13, 2018

Born August 1, 1931 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Passed away peacefully after a valiant fight with cancer while in the Dulcina Hospice, Calgary, October 13, 2018.

Reginald graduated from U of S, Saskatoon in 1951 – Bachelor of Arts in Science.  After graduation, he started his career with the City of Regina at the Museum of Natural History. In 1964, he took his first step towards his ultimate career on the world stage by moving his family to Ottawa to take a position with the city’s Department of urban and regional development. At the age of 39, after a leadership development course, Reg was offered his first international posting as attaché to the Canadian Consulate in Dusseldorf, Germany. Little did he know that this would shape the course of his career and his life for the next 25 years. His international career grew steadily with senior postings in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Tokyo, Japan. In 1983 he was officially accepted into the foreign service and received his first appointment as Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines. This was followed a few years later with his appointment as Canadian Ambassador to South Korea, the pinnacle of his diplomatic career. He wound down his world travels and international career with postings to Los Angeles and his final posting in Sydney, Australia. Finally settling down in 1995 to enjoy retirement in Kelowna, B.C.

He was extremely well respected by his diplomatic colleagues, both in Canada and Internationally and was dedicated to being the absolute best representative of Canada to the rest of the world. His great intellect, polished speaking skills, warm personality, and strong confidence enabled him to make significant contributions to Canada’s foreign relations around the globe.

Reg was preceded in death by Isabelle Dorrett his loving wife of 56 years, and is survived by their three children, son Scott and wife Phoenix of Vernon, and grandchildren Michael and wife Denae (great grandchildren Izabella and Alexandria) , Tamara and husband Jeremy (great grandchildren Gabriel and Elijah) Danvis, James, Sean, Tristan; son Gordon and wife Susan of Toronto and grandchildren Cameron and Annie; and his daughter Leslie of Toronto and also, his sister Marian and husband Bayard of Camrose.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 8 years, Laurie Dorrett (Weir) of Calgary with whom he shared the last chapter of his life with.

He spent his retirement years enjoying and perfecting the things he loved to do, golf, bridge, woodcarving, and his friendly poker game. His sense of humour and compassion was a perfect fit for the volunteer work he did with the local hospital in Kelowna. But more than anything he enjoyed the company and companionship of his family and the many lifelong friends he had made from his University days, time as president of the Canadian Jaycees, international friends from his travels abroad and new friends from his retirement years.

He will be sadly missed by his, loving wife, adoring family and by friends from around the world.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 10:00 am at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Rd, Kelowna, BC. Followed by a private family Interment at Lakeview Memorial Gardens. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”