Former Chief of the Defence Staff
Order of Canada
On Saturday, July 1, 2023, at the age of 88 years in the presence of his loving family. Survived by his beloved wife and dear companion of 66 years, Margaret (née Nickel). Dear father of Bob (Joanne), Cathy (LCol David Wiley), Peter (Pamela), Karen (Andrew Hanlon), and grandfather of Christopher, Matthew (Samantha), Ross, Emily (Todd), and Willow. Also remembered by brother Tony (Ann, deceased), of Toronto, and several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents Robert and Mary Manson of Deep River, ON, and sisters Marie and Claire.
Born in Trail, BC and raised in Montreal and Deep River, Paul attended Royal Roads Military College in Victoria and Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, graduating in 1956 with the Sword of Honour. He received BSc degrees in electrical engineering from Queen’s University and RMC, and honorary doctorates from both Royal Roads and RMC. His life of exemplary leadership began with 38 years of military service as a pilot in NATO Europe and Canada, and saw him rise to positions of increasing responsibility, including Base Commander at CFB Chatham, NB, Commander of the Canadian Air Group in Germany, and Program Manager of the New Fighter Aircraft Program, leading to the selection of the CF-18 Hornet in the late 1970s. He commanded the Air Force from 1983 to 1985 and was Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff from 1986 to 1989.
Following military service, he became president of a large aerospace company, retiring in 1997. He will be remembered for his significant contribution to the creation of the new Canadian War Museum as volunteer chairman of the Passing the Torch Campaign, and as Chair of the Building Committee. He was Chair of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada and of Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame, and President of the Conference of Defence Associations Institute. He also served for five years as a trustee of the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Among his many honours were the C.D. Howe Award (1992), the Vimy Award (2003), the Order of Military Merit, the RMC Wall of Honour (2009), and induction into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame (2018). In 2002, he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. He was a frequent commentator on radio and TV on defence and security issues, and wrote numerous articles on related subjects. A truly modern renaissance man, Paul Manson actively pursued lifelong interests in astronomy, archaeology, history, and genealogy. In spite of an extremely busy professional life, his loving dedication to his family never diminished, and he always found time for friends and his beloved pursuit of golf and music. He was a longtime member of the Royal Ottawa Golf Club. A skilled trombonist, he played in several bands well into his later years.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, ON) from 5-7pm. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 14 at 1 pm, followed by the interment in the National Military Cemetery. Live-streaming of the service will be available from Beechwood.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Canadian War Museum or a charity of your choice.
*There are several road closures within the City of Ottawa's downtown core from July 6 to 27th. Please consider planning your route accordingly*
Digital Guestbook
Maya Dwivedi-Leng
Ann Beedell
Marg,
I felt privileged to watch the ceremony in memory of Paul. He was an inspiring man and I know you had a wonderful life together. May you and your family find strength through the love he shared with you all.
Love, Ann
Toby and Tedd Nathanson
Our condolences to Marg and the Monson Family. Paul was a true gentleman and a great Canadian. He was also a very knowledgeable bridge player. A Man of All Seasons. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.
Frances and David Estey
Dear Margaret and family. We regret that we were unable to attend Paul’s Service today. However, we attended by live stream. It was a wonderful tribute to a life well lived. We are acutely aware of his dedication to his family, faith and country. We have fond memories of our association over the years, particularly the year together in Lahr. We think especially of your and Paul’s dedication to Chapel life and the choir. We conquered the singing of “Er it’s ein Ros entsprungen” and the “Halleujah Chorus”. We send our deepest sympathies, and remember you in our thoughts and prayers.
Michael Hood
An officer and gentleman who epitomized everything good about our country. He recently took the time to author a story for a book about the 100th Anniversary of the RCAF - generous to a fault to the very end. Our air force has lost a legend.
Captain (airline)Jeffrey Daniels
I met General Manson purely by chance. Sometime around 2010 on a flight deadheading out of uniform from Montreal to somewhere i can no longer remember, i scored a prized isle seat in economy. I was impressed by the man beside me as he graciously offered the window seat to his wife. Later in the flight , we struck up a conversation about flying, as he had observed me reading a basic book on learning to soar (gliding). He casually commented that he had been involved in selecting the Schweizer 2-33 for the air Cadet program. I must admit, it sounded like total B.S. to me. So I decided to test him with a few more probing questions. I came to learn he was a retired CAF pilot. When I asked him what he had flown in the military, he simply replied, ‘Everything ‘. More questions, did you ever fly the Air Bus A310?…… ‘yes’….As at that time I was working for a major Canadian Charter airline as a Captain on this aircraft i was very interested…. I asked him : how did you find it?…. He replied:…” Kind of slow”…. ….well, for me that was disappointing and not the answer I expected…..because for me, it was a rocket….. but in retrospect, I suppose, for an expert 104 starfighter pilot, it would seem slow. Deep down perhaps, i was hoping for some kind of a visceral connection with this man , most certainly because he had all the right stuff (and most probably , i do not) But what i came to realize is that while we may have both had stick and rudder in common, thats where the similarities ended….he was in a whole different league.
I am very thankful for this tiniest slice of his life and attention , and it made an indelible impression on me A humble man yet larger than life.
I offer my most sincere condolences to his lovely wife and family.
Michel Charron (Bgen Ret'd)
I would have very much wanted to pay my respect to such a remarkable officer and man but unfortunately I was out-of-town on the day of the funeral. I served under Gen Manson in Winnipeg and also experienced his tennis and squash skills on many occasions. I very much appreciated his integrity, dedication in all his roles in the CAF and in the civilian world. A true gentlemen in every definition of the word who inspired respect and treated all with respect regardless of rank or social status. He will be remembered. May he rest in peace.
Scott Price
Classmate at Royal Roads, Classy gentleman. RIP, Scott
Tony Battista
A superb leader, gentleman, an authentic Canadian hero. I was privileged to be his aide de camp as he eased into the position of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in summer 1986. He presented me my very first medal. Rest in Peace while flying with the angel eagles General Paul Manson. My deepest sympathies to Margaret and family.
Cliff Cassidy - 440 AW(F) Squadron - CF100 AI Nav - 1959-1961
Following a visit to London's RAF Club in 2010, I asked General Manson if he would agree to officially presenting our Squadron crest to the Club early the next year. He generously agreed to do so. So, in May, he and Margaret joined a small delegation of ex-440 air crew to complete the exercise and add our emblem to the large and very impressive collection of UK and Commonwealth Squadron crests in the Club's "Badge Corridor". As only General Paul could, he eloquently told Club Secretary Peter Owen (see attached photo) the history and glory of the so-called "Bat" squadron. The attending group was thrilled and moved by the presentation and proud to know that Paul's contribution to this exercise will not be forgotten. Thank you General Manson.
To Auntie Margaret and family, I send my condolences for your great loss. Uncle Paul was always the greatest light in every room, and he will be deeply missed.