Roman Robert March

(BA United College, MA Carleton, PHD Indiana University, Pilot Officer RCAF)

Born October 6th, 1935 in Winnipeg Manitoba. Passed away at his home this February at the age of 83. Survived by his sister Joyce (Edmonton), his step-brother Eddie (USA), daughter Kathryn (Cambridge), sons Bruce (Toronto) and David (Hamilton) and many nephews, great-nephews and great-nieces. Predeceased by his mother Maria March, his step-father Eugene March and step-brother Carl March.

Born of Polish immigrant parents, Roman grew up in rural Winnipeg and was involved in sports like swimming and wrestling while being an active Air Cadet. A chance encounter at a job interview at the age of 18 led to him pursuing a BA at United College in Winnipeg and paying for his education by serving in the Reserves and working night shift at a factory. During that time, he spent his summers in CAF base Baden-Baden, Germany where during the Suez Crisis he and many others were threatened by nuclear annihilation by Khrushchev.

Unable to pursue a piloting career due to his eyesight, Roman left the Airforce and became a teacher at United College in Winnipeg. Here he became involved in the famous Crowe Case that led to the formation of CUTA. He would be one of the 13 staff who resigned from the College over the case and eventually received the 2009 CUTA Milner Reward for his actions.

Roman took a position teaching in Fort Williams Ontario but left to earn an MA in Public Administration at MA in Public Administration at Carleton University and a PhD at Indiana University. He was hired as the first Canadian born Political Science professor in the Political Science department in the Humanities faculty at McMaster University where he remained for 25 years as an associate professor before retiring in the golden handshake period of the 1990s.

His famous book, The Myth of Parliament was published in 1974 by University of Toronto Press. The book gained much notoriety because it drew attention to the lack of parliamentary attendance by federal Members of Parliament. This work formed the basis of parliamentary reform efforts led by the Mulroney government and he was invited to testify before the Parliamentary Reform Committee about the situation.

Roman was self-governing in his political activism and supported the NDP, the Liberals and the Progressive Conservative Parties depending upon their political platform. He worked with Sheila Copps on her Hamilton Campaigns but supported his former student Progressive Conservative Peter James Peterson when he ran for office in 1984. His retirement years involved an active lifestyle while serving on the McMaster Retirees association and attending numerous events with that group.

A unique and independent person, Roman March was a man not soon to be forgotten. He lived his life on his own terms and left a mark on the world through his teaching, his politics and his personal life.

Visitation will be held at Marlatt Funeral Home-Swackhamer Chapel in Dundas (195 King St W.) on Feb 23rd from 6 to 8 pm. Funeral Service to be held at the Church of the Ascension in Hamilton (64 Forest Ave @ John St. S) on February 24th at 11 am with a reception following afterwards.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made to St. Mathews House a food bank (https://stmatthewshouse.ca/).