(August 8, 2022) – David Brazil, PC Official Opposition Leader, is sending his deepest condolences to the family and friends of former PC MHA and Minister Tom Hedderson, who passed away suddenly on August 8, 2022.

“It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Tom Hedderson, a long-time PC MHA and Cabinet Minister and the brother-in-law of our caucus colleague, Helen Conway Ottenheimer. Tom was not only exceptionally diligent and hardworking as a Cabinet Minister in six portfolios and as an MHA for 16 years, but he was also one of the nicest people you could ever meet – loved by everyone, both in Harbour Main and around the province,” said Brazil

“To his family and friends, I extend deepest condolences on behalf of the PC Official Opposition Caucus.”

Born on May 7, 1954, son of Bernard and Josephine (nee Philpott), Tom was the youngest of 19, a family of nine brothers and 10 sisters. In 1977, he married Rosemary, daughter of Richard and Nora Conway of Marysvale. He and Rosemary raised two daughters, Christa Marie and Julia Anne. Rosemary passed away in 2019.

Tom started his career as an educator. He graduated with Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and Bachelor of Education (English) degrees from Memorial University and a Master’s of Education (Psychology) degree from Mount Saint Vincent University in Nova Scotia. He served as principal of Bishop O’Neill Collegiate in Brigus.

First elected to the House of Assembly in 1999 to represent the District of Harbour Main-Whitbourne (as it was then called), he served as PC Opposition Critic for Education (K-12), Parliamentary Assistant to the Leader of the Opposition, and Critic for Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education.

Re-elected for a second term when the PC Party formed government in 2003, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Education and Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education.
He was elected a total of four times – in the general elections of 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011.

In 2004, he was appointed to Cabinet as the province’s Minister of Education.

In 2005, he was appointed Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

In 2007, he was appointed Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector.

In 2008, he was appointed Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

In 2009, he was appointed to serve as Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, and (during the illness of a Cabinet colleague) also temporarily served as the Acting Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister Responsible for Emergency Preparedness, and Registrar General.

In 2012, he was appointed Minister of Environment and Conservation.

He retired from political service in 2015.

Tom is survived by wife Carol Hedderson, and daughters Christa Marie and Julia Anne, a loving family, and a large circle of friends.

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca