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David See-Chai Lam, OC, CVO, OBC, 25th lieutenant-governor of BC 1988–95, banker, land developer, philanthropist (born 25 July 1923 in Hong Kong; died 22 November 2010 in Vancouver, BC). After establishing himself as a successful banker in Hong Kong, David Lam moved to Vancouver in 1967 and became a central figure in the city’s real estate development. As a philanthropist, he made major contributions to the cultural life, community spaces and educational institutions of British Columbia. A vocal advocate of immigration and of Canada’s role within the Pacific Rim, Lam served as lieutenant-governor of British Columbia from 1988 to 1995. He was the first person of Asian ancestry to hold a vice-regal post in Canada.

After the governor of New France punished them for this expedition, the partners went to Boston to arrange a voyage to Hudson Bay. In 1665 they sailed to England, where their plan of bypassing the St Lawrence R to reach the interior fur-producing region found backers.

John Rowand, Hudson’s Bay Company chief factor, fur trader (born circa 1787 in Montreal; died 30 May 1854 in Fort Pitt). John Rowand was a fur trader with the North West Company (NWC) and the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC). He was appointed HBC chief factor of Fort Edmonton in 1826.

Alexander Rankin, timber merchant, politician (b in parish of Mearns, Scot 31 Dec 1788; d at Liverpool, Eng 3 Apr 1852). Rankin became a clerk in the firm of Pollok, Gilmour and Co, Glasgow merchants who traded with the Baltic ports.

Louis Rasminsky, banker (b at Montréal 1 Feb 1908; d at Ottawa 15 Sept 1998). Rasminsky played a major role in creating the post-WWII international monetary system.

James Purcell, stonemason, contractor, architect (b c1804; flourished 1841-58 at St John's, Nfld). Purcell was brought to Newfoundland in 1841 by the Roman Catholic bishop, Rev M.A. Fleming, to superintend the construction of the cathedral after a dispute with the original superintendent.

James Armstrong Richardson Jr., PC, grain merchant, politician (born 28 March 1922 in Winnipeg, MB; died 17 May 2004 in Winnipeg). The son of James A. Richardson Sr., James Jr. studied at Queen’s University and served in the RCAF as a Liberator bomber pilot patrolling the North Atlantic. He joined the family firm of James Richardson and Sons Ltd. in 1946 and was chairman and executive officer from 1966 to 1968. Richardson was elected Liberal member of Parliament for Winnipeg South in June 1968 and appointed minister without portfolio in July. From 1969 to 1972, he was minister of Supply and Services. He was re-elected in the 1972 general election and was appointed minister of National Defence. Following his resignation from Cabinet in 1978 over the government’s language policy, he sat as an Independent (1978–79), after which he returned to the family firm and became a director.

Stephen Boleslav Roman, mine executive (b at Velky Ruskov, Slovakia 17 Apr 1921; d at Markham, Ont 23 Mar 1988). Roman immigrated to Canada in 1937, working as a farm labourer before joining the Canadian Army in 1942.

John Ross Robertson, newspaper publisher, philanthropist (b at Toronto 28 Dec 1841; d there 31 May 1918). He was the son of a Scottish-born merchant. After attending Toronto's Upper Canada College, where he published a student

James Richardson, grain merchant (b at Aughnacloy, County Tyrone, Ire 1819; d probably at Kingston 1892). Richardson immigrated to Canada in 1823 and was raised by an aunt in Kingston. A successful tailor by 1844, his acceptance of produce as payment led him into the commodities business.

John Duncan "J.D." McArthur, railroad builder and operator, lumber industrialist (b at Lancaster, Canada West 25 June 1854; d Winnipeg, Man 10 January 1927).

Maurice Sauvé, economist, politician, businessman (b at Montréal 20 Sept 1923; d there 13 April 1992). Maurice Sauvé received his PhD from U de Paris in 1952 and returned to Montréal to work for the Canadian and Catholic Confederation of Labour.

Sir Donald Mann, railway builder (b at Acton, Canada W 23 Mar 1853; d at Toronto 10 Nov 1934). Mann studied for the Methodist ministry but took up work in the lumber camps of Ontario and Michigan. In 1879 he was in charge of the barge that brought the first railway locomotive to Winnipeg.

James Armstrong Richardson, Sr, merchant, financier (b at Kingston, Ont 21 Aug 1885; d in Winnipeg 27 June 1939). Educated at Queen's, in 1906 Richardson entered the family firm of James Richardson and Sons Ltd, grain exporters, becoming VP in 1912 and president in 1919.

Rankin, Robert, timber merchant, shipowner (b in parish of Mearns, Scot 31 May 1801; d in Cheshire, Eng 3 June 1870).

Clifford William Robinson, lawyer, businessman, premier of NB 1907-08 (b at Moncton, NB 1 Sept 1866; d at Montréal 27 July 1944). In 1897 Robinson was elected mayor of Moncton and a member of the provincial Assembly.