I’m sorry to have to tell you that Paul died yesterday. He had become quite frail as well as his dementia problem so now we can remember him in happier times. Now 87 he had had a wonderful life, largely with UNICEF, so we must celebrate? I suppose I should alert the ex-UNICEF, can you help me with that?
We are expecting to come to Canada with ashes for the family plot in Richmond at some point and it would be wonderful if you are able to join us there.
With affections, aye, Katharine
Dear Katharine,
What can one say about the passing of another friend and good colleague? It is so sad to learn about Paul’s death when we were least expecting it, although we knew of his deteriorating health issue.
Yes, he lived a full and rich life especially the part where we were working together in UNICEF. We are so glad that we had the pleasure of his and your company celebrating my 80th in Vance. May he Rest in Peace.
We are in Cuba for a short winter break but am copying this to my colleagues at the XUNICEF blog in order to inform our members.
In sympathy,
Fouad and Nadia
See also:
Escape from the Killing Fields by Paul Ignatieff which we published on June 15, 2021
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Excerpt: "Into that quagmire I was sent as the first resident staff member of UNICEF to negotiate the opening of a new UNICEF office to run a potentially massive relief operation. I arrived Phnom Penh on 4th of September 1973, and initially started operating out of the UNDP office.
Two months later, a young Canadian named Paul Ignatieff arrived as the first UNICEF country Representative. And one month after that a young Lebanese fellow named Joseph Acar joined us as our Admin and Finance Officer.
The three of us – all young, inexperienced and new to UNICEF – established an office, hired a dozen Cambodians, and a few other international staff, and started running a fairly sizeable relief operation."
Brave Steps Forward from the Herald of 28 February 1997
Excerpt: "During a 30-year career with the United Nations Children's Fund, Paul Ignatieff had postings in nine countries, including Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, and Japan. In Cambodia, where his brief covered crossline operations in healthcare, primary education, emergency feeding, and water supply, he saw countless children with legs blown off. In Ethiopia he was appalled by the number of teenage conscripts missing a limb; and in his last post, Geneva, he was in a position to lobby at international level. He worked with Unicef's goodwill ambassadors, such as Danny Kaye, Audrey Hepburn, Peter Ustinov, and Roger Moore."
So very sad to learn about the passing of Paul Ignatieff - my first boss at UNICEF in Cambodia. We were both young, inexperienced and new to UNICEF in a dangerous duty station in the middle of a horrific war that was followed by the worst genocide since WWII. Paul was full of life, with boundless energy and great sense of humor. We built up a UNICEF team from scratch and ran a sizeable relief operation that benefited many women and children. Sadly, all our good work and contribution could not be sustained as the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime kicked out all foreigners and turned all of Cambodia into a huge concentarion camp as depicted in the chilling movie: The Killing Fields. Katharine Ignatieff became a "mother" to many of us united in a desperate situation in the country, but still trying to keep a ssense of normalcy to keep our sanity. Rest in peace, dear Paul, and heartfelt condolences to Katherine and the family.
ReplyDeleteIndeed very sad to hear of Paul's passing. We worked together in Addis Ababa in the eighties, my first International posting during difficult times and when rebels took over and Tigray was liberated (Paul used to call it Ala Mater) . Paul was very warm and friendly Representative I have had among few and Katharine was such a calm, gentle and friendly person to all of us. Our Heartfelt condolences to Katharine and the family.
ReplyDeleteRest in peace paul. Condolences to Katherine and family. He was Unicef Rep in Colombo and kept us on our toes as we expanded operations. The office grew in size and program during his tenure. We enjoyed good times with the family at their claessen road house. He will be missed.
ReplyDeleteSad to hear that Paul traveled to the stardust. I had the privilege to work under his able and human leadership during his last years of his rich unicef career. RIP cher Paul.
ReplyDeleteSo so sorry to hear this. Paul was such a great person in so many ways. Stanley and I send warm thoughts and condolences to Kathrine and the rest of the family. RIP
ReplyDeletePaul was a friend of the family while he served as the Representative in Sri Lanka. We are saddened by his demise and wish Katherine and family our condolences and deepest sympathies. May he RIP. Bertie Mendis
ReplyDeleteApart from JPG, Paul was the face, heart and soul of UNICEF in the late 1980s and early 1990s for those of us working at that time for the Australian Natcom. He guided me wisely in my transition from Sydney (Natcom) to Mogadiscio. My wife, Clare, and I are saddened by the news but retain such wonderful memories. Our deepest condolences to Katharine and the family.
ReplyDeleteSo so sorry to hear of the passing of Paul Ignatieff .My condolences to Katherine and family. I knew Paul from my arrival in India in 1977 until his retirement many years later.We were always friends and apart from being great company, Paul was a capable Representative and senior staff member of UNICEF. Paul reflected the best traditions of UNICEF and with so many qualities and skills it is not easy to highlight a few but I would point to his sheer zeal and enthusiasm as well as his charm and ready sense of humour.Rest in Peace Paul.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad news the passing of my friend Paul Ignatieff. His departure is painful not only for his wife Katherine, his children and his family but also for his colleagues and friends particularly myself. Paul and I were bound by a solid friendship that began when he was the Director of Canada National Committee for UNICEF. I was invited to several meetings of the Committee to speak of UNICEF work in the field.
ReplyDeleteIn November 1973 he was appointed as UNICEF Representative in Cambodia, his first posting. On his way to take up his assignment he stopped in Laos for a week where I just opened the UNICEF Office. We had a very good exchange on many challenges notably opening an office with minimal staff, the politically sensitive nature of UNICEF intervention in a conflict country and very important meeting the expectations of the UNICEF Executive Director and other Senior colleagues at HQs. I must say Paul felt deeply the responsibility associated with his role as UNICEF Representative and the tasks on which together with his colleagues they were embarking. For him it was also an opportunity to show his ability to rise to challenges. But his posting in Cambodia was short-lived when the Khmer Rouge had taken over Phnom Pen. They were then forced to close the Office.
We lost touch unfortunately as his assignments in different regions of the world than mine did not provide us any opportunity to get together.
I must say beautiful traits made up his personality. Besides his professional qualities and expertise, he has shown an uncompromising commitment to the cause of children both with the Canada National Committee and UNICEF as a staff member. Paul was a very pleasant and heartfelt person always ready to lend his support to friends and colleagues. In addition he enjoyed the niceties of life. His departure is indeed painful.
With my deepest sympathy to his wife Katherine and children.
May he rest in peace!
Fritz
Dear Katherine, our sincere condolences. Paul was a good friend and excellent colleague. We were both posted at HQ at the same time in the early 1980's. We are so sorry for your loss. God bless. We especially remember our trip to your castle during the UNICEF reunion in Edenborough, Scotland. Your hospitality is remembered.
ReplyDeleteI learned from dear Kul Gautam about my affectionate and energetic first supervisor and mentor, in UNICEF, Paul Ignatieff, departure from our earthly life. I remember that half a century ago, in my first assignment in UNICEF, which happened to be in Phnom Penh, as an administrative officer, the demands and pressure of work during the escalating and ferocious Khmer Rouge guerillas war, were quite heavy and I was not sure if my work met Paul’s expectations. I submitted my resignation to Paul which he rejected outright. He assured me in a humanly, affectionate, and sincere conversation that he appreciated my work and assured me of his full support to serve and strengthen the cohesion of our small team working well together under very difficult circumstances. Thanks to Paul support and incredibly hard work and to his wife Katharine generosity and kindness in welcoming our small team at their home in Phnom Penh, from time to time, we were able to serve our mandate until the fall of Phnom Penh under the brutal Khmer Rouge regime. I discovered the true Paul Ignatieff with a tender, emotional, loving, and big heart during the days before and after the fall of Phnom Penh in the hands of the brutal Khmer Rouge. We were the last two UNICEF team who remained in Phnom Penh hoping to continue UNICEF mandate of caring for and supporting the suffering children and their parents in Cambodia. Paul instructed me to distribute big sacks of rice to our local colleagues as the Khmer rouge were advancing to capture Phnom Penh. Soon after, Phnom Penh was occupied by the Khmer Rouge, we became refugees in the French embassy with hundreds of other foreign residents in Phnom Penh. We were accommodated in one room with other heads of UN agencies and one famous journalist, the late Sydney Sandberg of The NY Times, who later participated in producing the Killing Fields movie. Paul cared for me as an elderly brother who looks after his younger brother. We witnessed together with tears in our eyes the evacuation of at least two million residents including children, the old, sick, and handicapped civilians out of Phnom Penh which fell into an eerie silence. A few weeks later after we lost hope of being evacuated out of the country, the Khmer rouge ordered us to be ready for our departure from Phnom Penh. What we went through created a strong bond and mutuel affection between Paul and me. Paul continued to support my career in UNICEF whenever his advice was sought.
ReplyDeleteHaving witnessed the unbearable suffering and death of civilians at the hands of the cruel Khmer rouge , I must express my pride to see today how UNICEF continued to show its boldness in advocating for protecting and caring for the innocent children caught during the brutal ongoing bombardments in Gaza.
My deep condolences to Paul’s wife, dearest Katharine, their children and their families. May you, dearest and kindest heart Paul, rest in eternal peace.
Dear Katherine and family, please accept my condolences. May he rest in light. Bilge Basssani
ReplyDeleteDear Katherine. I am very sorry yo hear about Paul's passing. Sincere condolences to you and the family. I had never the pleasure to work with Paul, but I very much enjoyed our WAWIG/xUNICEF reunion in Edinburgh in 2003 which you and Paul organized. It was for me one of the most exciting reunions, visiting you in your castle and being able to attend the Edinburgh Festival ,touring the oountryside and finding an art exhibit our in the fields. Thank you for being such good hosts.
ReplyDeletePaul: You were the OG that gave so many of us a life in the best organisation in the world: Martin Griffiths for one, and the far lesser me for another. We shall all miss you but are so grateful to have known you.
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