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Statement by the Prime Minister on the death of Lawrence O'Brien
December 16, 2004
Ottawa, Ontario
“Lawrence O’Brien was born in Labrador. He grew up in Labrador, and worked there as a teacher, an adult educator and a town councillor, always striving to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
To the visitor, Labrador is a vast, impressive land -- but to Lawrence it was a tight-knit community, a community about which he cared very deeply. He was so closely identified with his home and with the people he served. He was so dedicated to listening to them, to acting for them, to making their lives better.
It is difficult to accept that he is gone now, much too soon, at the age of 53. Parliament has lost an ardent and steadfast voice. Today, we grieve the passing of Lawrence O’Brien. Always, we will remember his passion.
I recall visiting Labrador in the summer of 2003. We were in a community centre in Charlottetown, a port town of 350 people. Everyone knew Lawrence by name. Everyone smiled when greeting him. He had the same reaction everywhere we went that day: He was so proud, so energized by his constituents, so devoted to their concerns. For eight years, he was a quintessential member of Parliament. He was also a friend.
On behalf of Sheila, on behalf of the whole of the Liberal caucus, I extend my deepest sympathies to Lawrence’s wife, Alice, and their two children, Michael and Amanda.”
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