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John "Jack" Ryerson Maybee (29 August 1918 – 20 May 2009) was a Canadian diplomat and Royal Canadian Navy officer.

Over his diplomatic career, he served as the Canadian ambassador to several countries, contributing to Canada’s foreign relations during the period following the Second World war.

Early life and education

John Ryerson Maybee was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and educated in Alberta, British Columbia, and at the University of Toronto. He later attended Princeton University, where he received his Ph.D. in Letters in 1942.

He married Nevitt Black, daughter of Davidson Black, on 4 August 1945 and had 5 children with her.

Military service

Following his graduation, Maybee joined the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War, serving as a navigation officer on the North Atlantic.

The Battle of the Atlantic (1939–1945) marked the longest continuous battle of the war, with Allied and Axis forces contesting control over vital shipping routes. Canada played a role in escorting convoys across the Atlantic, and Maybee was among the Canadians who participated to ensure the safe passage of essential supplies to Europe.

Diplomatic career

After the war, Maybee transitioned to a career in diplomacy, joining Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs.

His career included postings in China, Australia and the United States.

His work as a diplomat extended to the Middle East and South Asia, where he served as Canada’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria, as well as Canada's High Commissioner to India and Nepal.

Later life and contributions

Upon retiring from his diplomatic career in 1978, Maybee studied journalism at Carleton University before becoming editor of Crosstalk, the newspaper of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa. He remained active within his church, serving as a chorister, warden, and Sunday school teacher.

Death and legacy

John Ryerson Maybee died on 20 May 2009, and was laid to rest in the National Military Cemetery at Beechwood.

See also

• List of ambassadors and high commissioners of Canada
  • List of ambassadors of Canada to Syria
  • List of high commissioners of Canada to India

References

1. ^ "Ambassador and Naval Officer John Ryerson Maybee". Beechwood Cemetery. 22 March 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
2. "John Maybee". Ottawa Citizen. 21 May 2009. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
3. "The eventful life of Ottawa's Nevitt Maybee". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
4. ^ "John Ryerson Maybee". Legacy.com. 22 May 2009. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
5. "Canadian Heads of Mission Abroad since 1800: Maybee, John Ryerson (career)". Government of Canada. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
6. International Perspectives. Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies. 1974. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
7. "A Beechwood History of the Foreign Service" (PDF). Beechwood Cemetery. Retrieved 3 November 2024.

• 1918 births
• 2009 deaths
• People from Moose Jaw
• Canadian diplomats
• Royal Canadian Navy personnel
• Ambassadors of Canada to Lebanon
• Ambassadors of Canada to Jordan
• Ambassadors of Canada to Syria
• High commissioners of Canada to India
• Ambassadors of Canada to Nepal