James Kelleher: 1930-2013 (updated)

Sault Ste. Marie’s James Kelleher has died.

Online news sources report Kelleher, a well-known local lawyer who went on to play key roles at the federal political level, passed away on the weekend in Toronto at the age of 82.

He leaves behind his wife and two daughters.

Kelleher was elected Sault Ste. Marie’s Member of Parliament as a Progressive Conservative in the Brian Mulroney landslide of 1984, and went straight to the federal cabinet as Minister of International Trade.

In 1986 Kelleher moved from that cabinet post to become Solicitor General.

After the 1988 federal election (in which he was defeated by NDP candidate Steve Butland), Kelleher was named to the Canadian Senate in 1990, where he served until 2005.

He retired from the upper house that year because he had reached the Senate’s mandatory retirement age of 75.

Today, in the House of Commons, Sault MP Bryan Hayes, issued the following statement:

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the passing of one of Sault Ste. Marie`s former Members of Parliament, Mr. James Kelleher. 

Senator Kelleher practiced law in the Sault before being part of the Conservative sweep to power in 1984, under the Mulroney administration.
 
He was appointed to cabinet as the International Trade Minister in 1985, becoming Canada`s Solicitor General in 1986. 

In 1990, he was appointed to the Senate and served until mandatory retirement in 2005.
 
Jim was instrumental in setting the two nations of Canada and the United States on a course that would ultimately lead to the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement in 1988, the success of which continues to harness the prosperity-generating power of free and open trade.
 
Jim was the face of the Conservative Party in Sault Ste. Marie for years, always listened to the grass roots people and was a dedicated family man known for his integrity and honesty.
 
I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his wife Helen and daughters Martha and Sarah, sister Patty and all family and friends.

May he rest in peace."