Hon. Fabian Manning: Honourable senators, today I’m pleased to present Chapter 64 of “Telling Our Story.”

On Sunday, October 9, 2022, Newfoundland and Labrador lost one of our province’s greatest humanitarians. John Crosbie Perlin passed away peacefully at his home in St. John’s at the age of 88 years.

Mr. Perlin had a long and outstanding career serving the people of his own province and throughout Canada. For many years he was the Director of Cultural Affairs for Newfoundland and Labrador, appointed to that position by our very first premier, Joseph R. Smallwood. His responsibilities included the management of all the province’s arts and culture centres while at the same time developing and showcasing the province’s cultural community to the world.

He was arguably our province’s foremost expert on the Royal Family and the monarchy, having served as the Canadian Secretary to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the only Newfoundlander and Labradorian ever to do so. He served as an adviser to many of our province’s Lieutenant Governors and coordinated and oversaw many royal visits to the province. One of his last public acts was to offer commentary on the passing of The Queen.

On a personal note, I was fortunate to be in John’s company on several occasions, but I fondly remember our interaction in 2009 as we waited for then Prince Charles and his wife Camilla to arrive at the airport in St. John’s. At that time, I was asked to represent the federal government to officially welcome the royal couple on their arrival to Canada.

As we waited for the plane to arrive, John gave me the Royal Family 101 protocol lesson on what to do and say and, more importantly, on what not to do and say. In a lighthearted way, I said to John, “Do you think the Prince would mind if I called him Charlie?” John quickly replied, “The Prince may not mind, but if you do that, I expect they will have to carry me out of here in an ambulance.” I decided to follow John’s advice, and everything worked out quite well.

John Perlin was so much more than an expert on all things royal. He was heavily involved in many different aspects of our community. He served with distinction on numerous boards of charitable and non-profit organizations, such as the National President for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, President of Wildlife Habitat Canada, Vice-Chair of the Salvation Army Territorial Advisory Board, Chair of the Salvation Army’s Advisory Board in St. John’s, Chair of the Community Sector Council Newfoundland and Labrador, Chair of the Rising Tide Theatre and as Chairman Emeritus of the Quidi Vidi Rennies River Development Foundation, having served as its founding chair for more than 20 years. The foundation operates the Fluvarium, which means “windows on a stream.” It is a beautiful public centre dedicated to environmental education, and John remained actively involved with the foundation until his passing.

John was also an active member of the Canadiana Fund, whose purpose is to enhance our country’s official residences through public donations of furnishings, paintings and objets d’art, or the funds to purchase such. There were many other organizations that John gave freely of his time and talent, all in an effort to preserve, protect and enhance what we have been given. If you walked on one of the trails surrounding the city of St. John’s, visited an arts centre or took in one of our many theatre productions, you have benefitted from John Perlin’s community involvement.

John’s dedication to public service and community involvement was heavily influenced by his parents, Albert Perlin, a legendary journalist, editor and commentator, and Vera Crosbie Perlin, a social activist for children long before “social activist” was a term used in our society. For their years of service, John Perlin and both his mother and father received the Order of Canada. I am not aware of any other family who has been the recipient of this honour.

Along with the Order of Canada, John also received the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador and was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. John also received an honorary doctor of laws from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador.

While he epitomized duty and public service with an unequalled passion, John is fondly remembered and beloved by numerous people for his kindness, friendship, mentoring and support he gave to others. His professional accomplishments are many, and I hope I have done justice to them here today, but it is John’s warmth and decency that far surpasses the multitude of accomplishments he had. In a world where you can be anything you want to be, John Perlin chose to be kind, generous, authentic and unique.

I ask all senators to join with me today in sending our sincere sympathies and condolences to John’s family and friends. He has left an incredible legacy to our province and country, one that we can all be proud of.

May he rest in peace.