Obituary of Paul Howard Osborne

Paul passed away the morning of November 29, 2009 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Phyllis (Bennett) Osborne. Paul is survived by his loving partner of ten years, Kathleen Thompson of Lumsden, Saskatchewan, his brother Clive of Whitehorse, Yukon, his aunt Doris Hillis, cousin Sandy Hillis and her son Tyler, and his extended family of friends and colleagues.

Paul was born in Nairobi, Kenya on December 31, 1954 where his father was working. In 1957, the family moved to Canada where Paul's father became an Anglican Minister. The family lived in southern / northern Ontario and arctic NWT. Together with Clive, Paul received his secondary education at St. John Cathedral School in Selkirk, Manitoba. He subsequently completed a B.A. in Philosophy at McGill University and a Masters in Political Economy at the University of Toronto. After graduate school, Paul worked in Montreal in a variety of policy roles and came to Saskatchewan in 1985 where he joined the Intergovernmental Affairs Office in the bunker? of the Legislative Building. He assumed a number of increasingly senior positions throughout his twenty-two year career as a public servant with the Government of Saskatchewan. Paul's advice was routinely sought on complex policy questions. He played a pivotal role in advancing the provinces constitutional, intergovernmental, Aboriginal, and especially the provinces international interests. He was highly regarded and respected by his peers and colleagues across Canada and internationally in diverse places such as South Africa, China and the United States. Most recently, he undertook a similar role in trade policy in the province of Nova Scotia. Paul was an outstanding human being in many ways. He was an intellect who was equally at home schmoozing First Ministers, debating philosophy with pointy heads? or telling fishing stories to neighbours. His sense of humour never failed him and he was legendary for his irreverent practical jokes aimed at friends, colleagues, and occasionally those in high places. He brought a sense of adventure to life and to those around him. From his school years on he had a great appreciation for the wilderness that took him on numerous northern canoe trips, up mountains, down canyons and along rugged hiking trails. His prowess with a paddle was legendary among his canoeing buddies. He loved the outdoors and shared this love with his close friends, many of whom he taught to paddle and to be comfortable in the bush. For the last ten years, Paul and Kathleen have shared their lives and love. He drew great strength from her grace and intellect which fueled his insights, curiosity and pursuit of a just and prosperous country for all. Their home in Lumsden was a place of warmth and happiness where they welcomed family, friends and neighbors. Paul's sudden passing will be mourned by many around the world. Flowers are gratefully declined in lieu of donations to the Regina Food Bank or Regina Humane Society. Funeral service will be held Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina with Crystal Olson officiating. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.speersfuneralchapel.com. Those wishing to do so may access a live-stream webcast of the service on the Speers Funeral Chapel website as well.