Board of Directors: Cimetière Beechwood Cemetery

Grete Hale, C.M., B.J., G.C.L.J., D.U., F.H.S.C., F.R.C.G.S. – President

Graduating in journalism from Carleton University in 1954, Beechwood Cemetery President Grete Hale, having served as Director of the North American Life Assurance Company, Director of Consumers Gas, and as Chairman of the Board of Morrison Lamothe Inc. from 1989 to 2004, has demonstrated her unrivalled leadership in the boardrooms of Canadian business, and in the social-conscious realm of the humanities.

Grete's list of accomplishments and awards and special recognitions is all but infinite; among them, Order of Canada, Senator in the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, Woman of Distinction-Mayor of Ottawa's Award for Community Service, Lifetime Achievement Award with the YM-YWCA, Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Confederation, the Ottawa-Carleton Philanthropy Award, Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, Canadian Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award-Lifetime Achievement Category, Queen's Jubilee Silver Medal, Ottawa Community Builder of the Year Award, Scouts Canada Foundation National Salute Award, and an Honourary Doctorate from the University of Ottawa.

Grete served on the Agricultural Food and Beverage Sectoral Advisory Group, reporting to the Minister of International Trade on the Free Trade Agreement, was reappointed to serve for the GATT negotiations and NAFTA, chaired the Task Force to amalgamate the three Ottawa nursing schools under Algonquin College, served as a Board Member of the Hospice at May Court and was founder of the Friends of the National Library of Canada. She published an autobiography of her father entitled The Life and Times of Cecil Morrison, The Happy Baker of Ottawa. Grete has served as a Director at Beechwood since 1992.

Robert White, B. Com. – Vice-President

With a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia, Robert White is Vice-President of Beechwood Cemetery, and sits as President of Tradex Management Inc., one of the oldest and most respected mutual fund companies in Canada. Prior to joining Tradex in 2002, Robert was Debt Management Advisor of the Financial Markets Department at the Bank of Canada, and for a period of nine years was the Assistant Chief of the Financial Markets Department responsible for the Canada Savings Bond program. Robert has served as a Director at Beechwood since 1993.

Richard A. Wagner, B. A.(Honours), L.L.B., Ontario Bar Association (1983) – Director

As partner of the Business Law Group of Ogilvy Renault in Ottawa, Richard Wagner represents Canadian and foreign clients in regard to their business operations in Canada and in regard to a wide range of federal regulatory matters, including international trade law, competition law and goverment procurement law. He represents clients in dealings with Canadian departments and in cases before tribunals, such as the Canadian International Trade Tribunal and the courts. He serves on the Board of Directors of several corporations including The Beechwood Cemetery Company since 2002.

Margie Howsam – Director

Currently serving as Chair of the Membership Committee of the Beechwood Cemetery Foundation, Margie Howsam's roots are well entrenched at Beechwood. Many members of Margie's family are buried in the cemetery, and both her grandfather and father were presidents of Beechwood. After attending the Ottawa Teachers' College, Margie taught for over 20 years for the Carleton Board of Education. Currently she is V.P. of the May Court Club of Ottawa, Canada's longest running women's community service organization. She is active in several activities that provide volunteer and financial assistance to the Ottawa community, including the Hospice at May Court. Margie has served as a Director at Beechwood since 2001.

J. David Roger, M.D., M.R.C.P. (Lond.), F.R.C.P. (C), F.A.C.P., F.A.C.C. – Director emeritus

Dr. David Roger's ancestors came to the region in 1821 and David has been a life long resident of Ottawa. He studied medicine at the University of Toronto with postgraduate training in Ottawa and New York. David's wartime service included a post as RCAF Medical Officer with the 410 Squadron in England, France and Holland. During the 50 plus years of his medical career he provided consultant diagnostic services in radiology and internal medicine in Ontario, Quebec and the North West Territories. He has served as a Director at Beechwood since 1977 and was President from 1993-2002. Currently he acts as Director Emeritus giving the Board the benefit of his wisdom and experience.