Larger than Life: A Tribute to Frank Duff Moores 
by Gary LeRoux

[PoliticsWatch July 12, 2005]

Frank Moores (1933-2005).

OTTAWA  — There will be many tributes and accolades to the former Newfoundland and Labrador Premier, Frank Moores, in the days ahead and all well deserved. 

But to many he is warmly thought of as simply Frank. Frank Moores was a successful businessman, Member of Parliament, President of the PC Party of Canada, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, but these monikers were only a part of what made the man. The nine years I worked in his firm in Ottawa, the most successful public affairs firm in Canada at the time, it became evident that he was larger than life. He was one of those rare people who decided to leave a life of wealth and comfort to enter the hurly, burly world of politics. For that all Newfoundlanders are grateful. 

He was more than just a politician. He was a father of nine and - in his fashion - the typically proud and devoted father who lit up when talking about his children, regularly relating their abilities and accomplishments to colleagues. He was without doubt one of Canada's most accomplished and avid fly fisherman. He took to the best rivers to challenge and wrestle to ground the feisty salmon. He was a reconteur par excellence, who could recount the most engaging stories of yesteryear, stored from his many, many acquaintances and colleagues from the fisherman on the dock of the bay to the President of the United States of America. Such was his impressive reach and ability to communicate on a wide range of issues. He was a friend to many and gave of himself in different ways, long after such requirements from the political world dictated such benevolent acts. His engaging smile, charm and razor-like wit lead to his many successes in politics and in business. It was what contributed to the wide circle that considered him friend. 

Aside from his years of service as Member of Parliament and later Premier, the biggest thing Frank gave Newfoundland when he assumed the post of Premier was true leadership and vision. He subscribed to the notion that we belonged to a larger nation, that we had a place in a bigger world, that we were blessed with a strong and gifted population. Though a young and developing Province, Frank showed Newfoundlanders that we could stand on our own two feet within Confederation. We did not always need to have a hand out to Ottawa, even though there were still many economic and social challenges before him as Premier. He also knew how to attract the 'best of breed' in his political endeavours. He was not a dictator and knew that he was as good as the people around him and those who worked for him considered themselves fortunate. 

A man with an ability to lead and a man of vision comes along rarely. Frank Duff Moores was one such man. He will be missed, but not forgotten. 

Gary LeRoux is a principal at the Industry Government Relations Group and served under Frank Moores at Government Consulting International. He can be reached at leroux@igrg.com

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