It is with great sadness that we announce that Clifton Shaw took his last breath in this life on February 2nd, 2025, in Ottawa in his 92nd year. Predeceased by his parents, his elder brother Vernon Shaw, and his son, Jonathan Shaw, Cliff is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Margaret, their three children, Jacqueline (David Lamb), Leah, and Christopher (Paula Tyska) and three grandchildren Catherine, Matthew and Sophie. He is also survived by his younger brother Graydon and sister-in-law, Nancy as well as his three nieces Tammy, Candy, and Shelley and their families.
Cliff was born in 1933 in Bristol, New Brunswick to Madeline DeMerchant and Harold Shaw. Pegged as bright at an early age, his mother encouraged him to try medical studies at Mount Allison University. One year of such studies was enough to convince him that medicine was not for him. With the help of his Aunt Hazel and grandfather Shaw, he hopped a train west and pursued an economics degree at the University of British Columbia, while working summers in Fort Saskatchewan and Banff, Alberta. In 1959, degree in hand, he headed to Ottawa for a job in the Department of Trade and Commerce. In 1962, a chance meeting at a party in Ottawa, introduced him to the young woman who would become his wife and lifelong travelling companion.
Shortly after they married, Cliff and Margaret began a peripatetic life in Canada’s foreign service that sent them on postings to England, India, Hong Kong, New York and Thailand, with stints in Ottawa. Although he began his career in trade policy, Cliff found great fulfillment in an early switch to implementing Canadian immigration policies that helped to build and strengthen Canada, including the resettlement of among others, Tibetan, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian refugees. Cliff retired from the Department of External Affairs and International Trade in 1993. In retirement, Cliff and Margaret continued to travel to see more of the world and visit with a wide network of friends. For many Canadian winters, they found a second home in Progreso, Mexico becoming a part of a warm and welcoming community. When they weren’t travelling, Cliff could be found in his garden, cooking for friends and family, making wine, and, occasionally, foraging for fiddleheads.
We miss his sense of humour and our hearts are broken, but we are comforted that Cliff’s was a life well lived. We will plan a celebration of life for Cliff in the near future. Donations to a charity of your choice in Cliff’s memory are appreciated.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service at Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa), on Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 in Beechwood's Sacred Space at 1:00 p.m., followed by a Reception.
Digital Guestbook
Anne Arnott
Natasha Power Cayer
Dear Margaret, Jackie, Leah and Chris,
Like so many others, I consider myself very lucky to have had the chance to know Cliff. He is such an inspiring figure, whose wit and Indian dishes added to his cachet as a man of the world doing good things to help people in need. So many times he made me laugh out loud, and made me feel like part of the family.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences, he will be sorely missed.
Natasha
Patty Perkins
Dear Margaret, Jackie, Leah & Chris, Please accept my sincere condolences. I had the privilege of meeting both Margaret & Cliff in San Diego, on their way to a cruise ship in 2019. This was the first time I met my 2nd cousin, Cliff! We became fast “friends” and spoke often. He was an easy conversationalist, bright, and had such interesting stories to tell about his life with Margaret. My deepest sympathy to the whole family.
Donald Cameron
Margaret, Jackie, Leah and Christopher - Having worked for Cliff in New Delhi, Hong Kong and Ottawa he was a strong influence on me and I remember him fondly. Sandra and I offer our deepest condolences on his passing.
Vanessa
To Cliff, the man who introduced me to Indian food, especially my now favourite peas paneer — there’s never been anyone who made it better. You will be remembered with respect and gratitude by all who knew you.
To Margaret, Jacqueline, Leah, and Chris, my thoughts are with you all during this difficult time. Wishing you peace and comfort as you navigate through this loss.
Ian Rankin
Margaret and family my deepest condolences on the passing of Cliff. I worked for him early on I’m my career in New York and we had many of an occasion together in Ottawa. Cliffs advise and support was indispensable although it was often delivered with a bite “get up and get it done”. I admired him very much. Rest In Peace .
Ted and Jan Gray
Margaret and family:
I met Cliff within 2 or 3 days of arriving in Ottawa to join the Trade Commissioner Service in 1963 and had fairly frequent contact with him in the Department during our year or so of training. Then on my posting to Japan, he and I arrived in Tokyo at the same time and both stayed at the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Imperial Hotel. (Cliff had managed to wangle a several days of work with the Dep't while there- on his way to Hong Kong to see Margaret!
We saw them both again in the U.K. when we were posted there. And then the highlight- in New Delhi, when we stayed with them on our way to Kuala Lumpur in 1970. Back in Ottawa our paths have crossed many times, most notably at dinner and concerts at the NAC, and New Year's Eve parties at the Shaws' and other friends'. All good fun, with many fond memories.
He had a long and interesting life, and we will all miss him. Sincere condolences from us both.
Ted and Jan
Bob & Janet Evans
We are proud to claim Marg and Cliff as dear friends and to be a part of their circle of friends. We agree with the observation that Cliff's life was a life well lived. Marg, may you find comfort in being surrounded of the love of your family and your many friends. Love, Bob and Janet. ❤️😀
I worked with Cliff in External Affairs, as it then was. He was charming, friendly, helpful and positive.