Paul S. Dunseath

Paul Dunseath was a strict, disciplined man who could be tough on his colleagues, but earned the respect of others."When we were young, he was a relatively strict fellow. His father was old-English and relatively strict, but he was also a loving father all the same," said his son, Kevin Dunseath. Retired lieutenant-colonel Dunseath had a distinguished career in the Canadian Forces and public service representing Canada as a delegate to NATO in Brussels. His longtime friend, Richard Woodall, said to some people Mr. Dunseath could have come off as "pompous," but he was a good friend with a good sense of humour. He said he remembers a story about Mr. Dunseath chewing out a soldier for having too long a haircut. "He asked the soldier if his hair hurt. The soldier said, 'No sir.' He said, 'It should be, I'm standing on it. Get it cut,'" said Mr. Woodall. Mr. Dunseath was an officer with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals and a Commanding officer of the Governor General's Foot Guards, from 1980 to 1984. Mr. Woodall first met Mr. Dunseath in elementary school in Windsor, Ont. They developed a close friendship even though they took different career paths; Mr. Woodall entered the business world, working for his father's golf range in Windsor, while Mr. Dunseath became an electrical engineer and served in the forces and public service. He retired in 1995. "Paul was a bright fellow who did all sort of things, including wine-making, which he loved doing," said Mr. Woodall, 69, who lives in Windsor. Mr. Dunseath became something of a wine connoisseur and was active in the Amateur Wine Makers of Ontario. He was named a Canadian Grand Champion and later a Master Judge. He was also a member of the Monarchist League of Canada and a Knight Commander in the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, a charitable group that supports leprosy hospices in India and also Ottawa palliative care hospices. Mr. Dunseath was also a prolific letter writer, penning more than a dozen letters to the Citizen on a variety of topics. He praised Adrienne Clarkson as one of the best governors general Canada ever had, he blasted the new coat of arms for the amalgamated City of Ottawa as a "travesty" and he argued a portrait gallery once proposed for the old U.S. embassy building should include portraits of monarchs. Mr. Dunseath said his father enjoyed conveying his opinions about the injustices he saw. "He was a intelligent guy with a keen wit. When he saw things that annoyed him or gave him pause to think he would pick up pen and paper and dash off a letter to express his opinion," he said. Born in Luton, England, Mr. Dunseath first settled in Windsor, where he went to school and received a degree in electrical engineering. He joined the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals after graduating from the University of Windsor in 1962, and lived in Calgary, Kingston and Brussels, before returning in 1977 to Ottawa, where he worked for various government departments. Mr. Woodall said Mr. Dunseath was proud of his accomplishments and in his lifetime he had met many important people. His home in Ottawa was filled with photos of him with prime ministers, diplomats and other dignitaries, he said. "I remember when John Diefenbaker died. I happened to be within a block of Paul's (family) home in Windsor when I heard on the radio that the cortege included the Governor General's Foot Guards led by Lt.-Col. Paul Dunseath," said Mr. Woodall.

Mr. Dunseath died last week after a fall at home that caused head injuries. He was 68.

His is survived by his wife, Maureen, children Leslie Pottage and Kevin Dunseath, and three grandchildren.

A funeral was held Wednesday, with burial at the National Military Cemetery.