To the family of Howard Ferguson,



	On my own behalf, and that of our institution, please allow me to extend sincere condolences on Mr. Ferguson's passing, and our deep respect for his illustrious career.  



	With dedication and passion as the hallmarks of his work, he pursued a career rich in contributions to weather forecasting, meteorological training, water quality, acid rain, long range transport of air pollutants, and climate change.  He contributed to over 80 scientific publications, rose to lead the (then) Atmospheric Environment Service as Assistant Deputy Minister, and made numerous international contributions as well.



	I especially recall his exceptional contribution as the coordinator of the Second World Climate Conference in 1990, which set the stage for global attention to be accorded to enhancing climate services.  I am personally dedicated to continuing this work as President of the World Meteorological Organization, and I will continue this legacy with pride.  He made a real difference in this world, and his leadership was instrumental in making things happen.



	Thank you for supporting his 37+ years of public service.



	Yours sincerely,



	David Grimes



	Assistant Deputy Minister



	Meteorological Service of Canada



	Environment Canada

Dear Janet, I was surprised and saddened to learn of Howard's passing. We had exchanged emails a few months ago and he made no reference to his health. In the mid 70's I worked closely with Howard in AES Ottawa office when he was our science program coordinator with other departments. After he was appointed ADM ,we worked together again on Management Committee. I had known Howard when since 1958 when he instructed us during my Masters course at the UofT, but we worked in different parts of the Met Service. Howard worked very hard to make the 1988 Changing Atmosphere conference a success. It was the first important international conference on climate change. This and his subsequent work at WMO made him a key leader to bring this crucial global issue to the public arena. It is therefore very sad to learn of this passing now just when it seems possible that later this year in Paris world political leaders may come to some agreement to alleviate the damage from climate change. Your and your family should be proud of the work Howard did for the cause of global environment. Please accept my condolences. Sincerely, Gordon Shimizu West Vancouver, BC

Conviction, commitment, contribution, fidelity, honour, integrity, loyalty, perseverance, service - these words reflect how dad lived his life and the legacy he leaves to his sons, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. But there are no words to describe the loss we feel with his departure from our lives. Last year, on one of our weekly telephone chats, the 100th anniversary of the First World War was in the news. I mentioned to dad that my brother Michael and I had at one time been required to memorize the poem In Flanders Fields by the Canadian soldier and poet John McCrae. He challenged me to recite it and we quibbled and laughed about the words to one of the stanzas. It seems apropos to paraphrase it here – To you from failing hands he throws the torch. Be yours to hold it high! With love and affection, Andrew

Dear Janet and family I was sorry to read of Howard's sudden passing recently. Dad does not use his computer any more. Neither Mom or Dad read the paper, but I did relay David's moving tribute to his father to them over the phone. Our deep and sincere sympathy to his loving family - from the Hugill and Vrbicek families - Ivo and Debbie, Doug and Lynnette, Russ and Doris

I had the good fortune to meet Howard during the first year of my 35-year career wih the 'met' service - he as an instructor and me as a student at UofT. That led, in the late 1960s, to a call and a transfer back to Toronto from Vancouver, to the then Hydrometeorological Research Unit, which he headed. I remember well his orchestration of an international study involving radiosondes on the shores of Lake Ontario. It was in winter and involved a unit drawn from the US military, from their much warmer base in Alabama. A few yeard later, Howard and a delegation of three others, incluing yours truly, were off to an international conference on "Precipitation in Mountainous Areas", in Norway. Howard was destined to rise far above those beginnings in the field of hydrometeoroloy!



	It was at the Toronto Conference on the Changing Atmosphere in 1988, that Howard's prowess truly came to the fore. I was fortunate to have been given the opportunity to attend, on behalf of my Director, Mike Balshaw. As the conference was drawing to a close, Howard and others put together the prescient statement which summarized the situation facing the planet due to impending, and now on-going, climate change.



	Through all of these encounters, I recall Howard as always being a scholar and a gentleman. He was a shining exemplar of science put to the service of Canadians and the world.



	Garry Schaefer, Victoria, BC

Dear Janet We were very sorry to hear the sad news that Howard has passed away. We enjoyed seeing you both at the class reunions where we recalled our happy days at university. You have our sincere and deepest sympathy and wish you and your family comfort and strength through the days to come Bob and Mary Mereu

Dear Janet & Family, We were sorry to read of Howard's passing, a man who was greatly admired by his friends and loved by his family. Please accept our condolences. Eric, Keith & Helen Thompson

I had the priviledge of working for, and with, Howard during the time that Canada led the world in environmental matters.  I enjoyed our time strategizing, creating stories and presenting data to further Canada's position.  And travelling about one week a month to Washington.  It wasn't all work - there were many shared meals and meeting some incredible people.  Through it all, whether Howard was leading a delegation or reviewing my year's work, he was a calm, observant and intelligent man.  And we had a shared connection through Janet since I was taught by her father when I lived in Windsor.



	I am sorry to lose this leader who helped guide my career.  He will be missed by many of us who worked closely with him.  I have nothing other than good memories of both work and fun - what more can we ask for?



	My condolences for your loss. 



	Jim

My condolences to Howard's family. Howard Ferguson was one of the instructors on the Meteorologist Training Course that I took in 1966, just prior to starting forecasting at Atlantic Weather Centre in Halifax. Later he became my Director in Air Quality. He was always very approachable and a good listener.

Dear Janet & Family, We were so sorry to read of Howard's passing. We looked forward to our yearly reunions which gave us the opportunity to reminse about our families and days at Western. Our deepest sympathy. jerry & Evy

Howard asked me to organize the Canadian delegation for a meeting with the Russians on environmental issues, mainly acid rain and climate. The meeting was to be held in Tblisi Georgia. About a dozen of us went, representing a half dozen Departments. What an adventure it was! It was 1988 and the USSR was falling apart. The Georgians were feeling their freedom oats. Our delegation spent the days in the lecture hall mostly talking among ourselves, to be joined in the evening by the Russians and Georgians for a banquet of fabulous food and liters of fine Georgian wine. We may not have advanced environmental studies but we learned that people are just people like us whatever the ideology of their leaders! Thanks Howard.

I was very sorry to hear of Howard’s passing. I worked for him during his time as the senior manager for Environment Canada in Ontario at a time when he was responsible for some environmentally and politically charged issues. It is said a measure of a person is how he or she behaves under pressure. Howard was a steady voice of reason, he was respectful of people and opinions, a good listener, thoughtful, analytical and decisive. He was a delight to work for and I feel honoured for having known him. My deepest sympathy to Janet and the family.

Very sorry to hear of Howard's death. I worked for him in the Climate Centre and when he was ADM. A very intelligent and thoughtful man who also had a knack for listening. My sympathies to the family.

Joan and I are very sorry for Howard's loss. I am helping create a substantial tribute which will be published in the next CMOS Bulletin. We remember Howard not only for his instructional expertise to our Meteorological Officer Course 19 (in 1962) but also your coming to our Course 19 25th reunion in the 1000 Islands in 1987. Personally of course we worked together in the ADM Offices in Hull and Downsview and much more. Sincere condolences,

Barbara Ullerick made a donation to Cystic Fibrosis Canada

Janet and family, i would like to extend my most heartfelt sympathies. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Graeme & Nancy made a donation to Cystic Fibrosis Canada

We are very sorry to hear about your loss. From our family to yours, our most heartfelt sympathies.

David Ward made a donation to Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario

Dear Chris and family, during this difficult time I would like to extend my most heartfelt sympathies. With deep and since condolences on your loss. David Ward, your ServiceOntario family.

OBITUARIO

Howard Ferguson

14 julio, 1930 – 17 enero, 2015

Kane-Jerrett Funeral Homes

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