Preceded by James A. Whitebone Role Lawyer Name Eric Teed | Spouse(s) Lois Teed (nee Smith) Succeeded by Stephen H. Weyman | |
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Political party Progressive Conservative Relations John Francis Hanington Teed, Q.C. (father), Muriel Vivian (Wetmore) Children Robert, Peter, Christopher, Terrence, David Died December 30, 2010, Saint John, Canada Party Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick | ||
Eric Lawrence Teed, (May 19, 1926 – December 30, 2010) was a Canadian lawyer, author, history, civil rights advocate and politician.
Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1947,a Bachelor of Civil Law degree in 1949 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972, from the University of New Brunswick. He was called to the Bar of New Brunswick in 1949, he joined his family's Saint John law firm of Teed & Teed (established in 1884) and was a partner. He was appointed a Master of the Supreme Court of New Brunswick in 1958 and appointed the honour of Queen's Counsel in 1966, his list of service to his profession is extensive. He served as Commissioner of Inquiry into Municipal Labour Relations in 1986 and worked to establish the first Legal Aid clinic in the province. He retired form the practice of law in 2009.
Teed lectured on environmental, municipal, labour and civil liberties law at University of New Brunswick at Saint John (UNBSJ) . Founding Editor of the University of New Brunswick Law Journal, he also served as a Member of the Board of Governors for University of New Brunswick, a Member of the UNBSJ Senate, and as President of the UNB Alumni (Saint John Chapter).
He was elected to two terms as Mayor of Saint John from 1960 to 1964. He oversaw and approved the initial plans for construction of Harbour Bridge which completed construction in August 1968. It was during his tenure as that the Tucker Park lands were granted to establish the current UNBSJ campus. During his time in office, Teed also worked to eradicate the slums from Saint John and approved the building of several blocks of public housing in the city's East end. From 1970 to 1974, he was a Member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick and served as a Councillor of the City of Saint John from 2001 to 2004.
He was the Honorary Consul of Denmark in New Brunswick and was appointed a Knight of the Order of Dannebrog and awarded a Knight's Cross (member) of the Order of the Dannebrog for his many years service. Teed also served with the New Brunswick Scottish Regiment, attaining the rank of Captain and received a Canadian Forces decoration of a "CD" for twelve years of service. Eric was a Freemason and a Past Master of Albion Lodge, and was an Honorary Member of the Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers International Union.
He is the author of Canada's First City (1963) and Handbook for Commissioner of Oaths (1964). Teed served as Historian and President of the St. George's Society of Saint John, Chairman of the Fort La Tour Development Authority, President of the Saint John Horticultural Association, as a member of the Rockwood Park Advisory Board, Editor of the NB Historical Society Collections, President of the Loyalist Zone NB Senior Citizens Federation, and President of Seniors Information and Resource Centre.
In 1987, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for his years of community service and was awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and the Queen's 50th Jubilee Medal in 1992. Eric also received the Canada 125 medal as well as the Canadian Citation for Citizenship in 1994. Teed self-described as passionate about helping new Canadians and immigrants to Canada, Teed served as the past National President of the Canadian Citizenship Federation and received its Citizenship Merit Award.
His opinion, knowledge and expertise were sought concerning human rights and civil liberties. Involved in numerous organizations, he served as President of the Saint John Charter Rights and Civil Liberties Association, President of the John Howard Society of New Brunswick (Saint John Branch), founding member of the Elizabeth Fry Society, Secretary of the NB Human Rights Association, President of the Multicultural Association of Saint John, and Honorary Counsel for the NB Anti-Poverty Association.
With ties to the United Nations, Teed's opinion was often sought for commentary on political, legal and matters of human rights by the local news media.
Teed lived on Saint John's west side with his wife Lois (née Smith) and his five sons: Robert C.G., Peter E.L., John P. (Christopher), Terrence L.S. and David D.G.. He was a descendant of the Teeds of Rocklyn (Mariner George Teed) ( E.B. Chandler House) in Dorchester and of the Haningtons - loyalists who founded Shediac Cape, New Brunswick and whose burial plot is rumoured to have a map to buried treasure. Other ancestors and family relations include: John Francis Teed, master builder; Lawrence Young (IATA founding partner).
Eric and his family traveled around the world twice visiting all continents except Antarctica. With his sons, Teed was very active in the Scout Canada movement and was the recipient of the National Scout Medal of Merit for services to the Scout Movement and the 35 years Scout service medal.
He died December 30, 2010, at the age of 84 in the home he shared with his wife, Lois.