Barry Steers

Steers was born and raised in London, Ontario.[4][1] His father died when he was just seven years old and he was raised by his mother.[1] Steers was the grandson of Canadian Colonel W. G. Coles.[1] He graduated from a now shuttered high school in London, De La Salle secondary school.[1] During his life, Steers became fluent in four languages – English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.[1]

Steers studied economics and political science at University of Western Ontario during the 1940s.[1] He met his future wife, a 23-year-old Brescia University College student from Colombia named Martha, on a blind date while in college.[1] The couple dated for three years before marrying in 1952 at a wedding ceremony held in Colombia.[1] They had three children – Sara Maria, who was born in Colombia; Gregory, who was born in Greece; and Connell, who was born in Ottawa.[1]

In 1956, Steers joined the Trade Commissioner Service.[3] He was posted to the embassies in Singapore, Greece, Israel, as well as Canadian Consulate in New York City early in his career.[3] He returned to Ottawa during the late 1960s and early 1970s for a domestic posting.[3]

Steers served as Canada's Ambassador to Brazil from 1971 to 1976.[3] He then became the Canadian Consul General in New York City from 1976 to 1979.[3] During those years in New York, Steers simultaneously served as the Canadian Commissioner to Bermuda,[3] becoming the first Canadian diplomat to hold that post.[1] From 1981 to 1989, Steers was posted as the Canadian Ambassador to Japan.[3]

Steers retired from his diplomatic career in 1990 and became a business consultant. He became the director of several notable companies, including Industrial Bank of Japan's Canadian division and the London Life Insurance Company.[1] He also sat on the boards of directors for numerous Canadian companies, including the Gendis Corporation, Canadian Pacific Air Lines, London Life Insurance Company, Canadian Pacific Hotels/Fairmont Hotels and Resorts and Manalta Coal.[3]

He became the founding director of a Canadian Japan Society.[1] Steers further was a member of the advisory council for the Canada-Japan Businessmen's Conference.[1]

Steers died in November 20, 2011, at his home in London, Ontario, at the age 85.[4] He was survived by his wife, Martha, to whom he had been married for 59 years; as well as their three children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.[3] His funeral was held at St. Michael's Catholic Church in London.[4]