W. Thomas Molloy facts for kids

William Thomas Molloy (July 27, 1940 – July 2, 2019) was a Canadian lawyer and important negotiator. He also served as the Chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan. He was the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan. This means he was the Queen's official representative in the province of Saskatchewan.

Mr. Molloy was chosen as Lieutenant Governor by the Governor General of Canada, Julie Payette. This decision was made on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He officially started his role on March 21, 2018. Sadly, he passed away just over a year later, on July 2, 2019. The province of Saskatchewan held a special public memorial service for him on July 13, 2019.

Who Was Thomas Molloy?

Early Life and Education

William Thomas Molloy was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on July 27, 1940. He went to St. Thomas More College and the University of Saskatchewan. In 1964, he earned degrees in both arts and law. After his studies, he became a lawyer. He was allowed to practice law in both Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Important Work: Treaty Negotiator

Thomas Molloy became well-known for his work as a negotiator. He worked for the Government of Canada. He helped to create two very important agreements. One was the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. This agreement helped to create the territory of Nunavut.

He also worked on the Nisga'a Final Agreement. This was a major treaty with the Nisga'a First Nation in British Columbia. His work helped to settle land claims and rights. He even wrote a book about the Nisga'a journey called The World Is Our Witness.

Becoming Lieutenant Governor

On January 22, 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Mr. Molloy would be the next Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan. He took his oath and officially started his duties on March 21, 2018. In this role, he represented Queen Elizabeth II in the province. His duties included opening legislative sessions and giving royal assent to new laws.

Awards and Recognition

Thomas Molloy received several important awards for his work. In 1996, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. This is one of Canada's highest civilian honours. It recognized his honesty and dedication to fair agreements. In 2012, he also became a Member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. This award recognizes excellence and achievement in Saskatchewan.

Later Life and Legacy

In May 2019, it was announced that Mr. Molloy was ill. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He stepped away from his duties to get treatment. The Chief Justice of Saskatchewan, Robert G. Richards, took over his responsibilities temporarily.

Thomas Molloy passed away on July 2, 2019. A special state memorial service was held for him in Saskatoon. Many important people attended, including the Governor General, Julie Payette. The Premier of Saskatchewan, Scott Moe, was also there. His legacy includes his important work in treaty negotiations and his service as Lieutenant Governor.

Honours

Thomas Molloy received several important honours:

• Officer of the Order of Canada
• Knight of the Order of St John
• Member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit

He was also granted a special design called a coat of arms in 2019.