Gary Richard Harman (14 April 1929 – 24 July 2012) was a Canadian diplomat who served in senior ambassadorial posts in the Middle East and the Caribbean during the latter half of the 20th century.
Early life and education
Harman was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to the family that owned Harman's Drug Store. He attended Gordon Bell High School, graduating in 1947 with the Governor General's Medal. He pursued music, earning the Associate (1946) and Licentiate (1948) of the Royal Schools of Music. Harman earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History from the University of Manitoba in 1950.
Career
After brief work with the Department of Trade and Commerce, Harman joined the United Nations International Intern Programme in New York City in 1952. He entered the Canadian Foreign Service, where his postings included:
- Chargé d’Affaires, Canadian Embassy in Egypt – 29 December 1970 to 1 August 1971.
- Ambassador to Cuba – 14 July 1977 to 21 June 1981, serving under Prime Ministers Pierre Trudeau and Joe Clark.
- Ambassador to Jordan – 7 August 1985 to 9 July 1987.
- Ambassador to Syria – 13 July 1987 to 9 August 1990; concurrently accredited as Ambassador to Lebanon from 14 May 1990 to 9 August 1990 while resident in Syria.
He retired from diplomatic service in 1993 and settled in Ottawa.
Personal life
In 1954, Harman married Margaret Siddall. The couple had three children—Lesley, Edward, and Katherine—and several grandchildren. He was fluent in French, Russian, Polish, Czech, Arabic, Spanish, and German. An avid musician and patron of the arts, Harman supported opera, ballet, theatre, and orchestral activities. He was an active member of the United Church of Canada.
Death
Gary Richard Harman died of natural causes on 24 July 2012 in Ottawa at the age of 83. His funeral service was held at MacKay United Church on 28 July 2012.
Legacy
Harman’s diplomatic career spanned key periods of Canadian foreign relations, particularly in the Caribbean and the Middle East, where he contributed to the development of bilateral ties and represented Canadian interests in several strategic postings.
