HONOURABLE REGINALD BYGOTT ALCOCK, PC, MPA

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HONOURABLE REGINALD BYGOTT ALCOCK, PC, MPA April 16, 1948 - October 14, 2011 Most people knew Reg as a politician, public servant and academic, but we, his family, knew him as a caring, passionate and brilliant man, enriched with vision and an insatiable child-like curiosity, who was destined to achieve great things. Reg was born at the Grace Hospital to Reginald Walter Alcock and Enid Mary Bygott. His father served in the R.C.M.P. and as Chief of Police in St. Vital and Tuxedo. His mother was a school principal and teacher. Guided by their sense of civic duty, Reg chose his own path, as he always would. Initially, he was drawn to the care of animals - working at a local animal hospital while attending St. Paul's High School, but Reg would spend the better part of his life caring for and serving people. He worked at the Manitoba School for the Deaf, and in a variety of childcare capacities including as Manitoba's Director of Child Welfare. Always driven to do what was in the best interests of people, and as a man who hated to be told it couldn't be done, Reg became frustrated with the system. When challenged to do something about it, he did. And in 1988, he resigned as the Director and ran as a provincial Liberal against the then Minister of Child Welfare. He would also be elected federally in 1993, where he became known for his innovative thinking on how information and communication technologies enabled organizational change. In his third term of office, he would serve in Prime Minister Paul Martin's government as President of the Treasury Board, reviewing the governance of Canada's Crown Corporations and the Responsibilities and Accountabilities of Ministers. This was his government dream job, working for a man he truly admired at a complexity and challenge level he loved. Reg was also an avid learner, teacher and mentor. He taught at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, where he graduated with a Masters of Public Administration, at the Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, and was a member of the Harvard Policy Group on Network-Enabled Services and Government. His current work was developing, writing and teaching a new system of governance for the Canadian public sector. The Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health, the Kenaston Underpass, his efforts to forward the agendas of Aboriginal, Métis and immigrant communities, and the Canadian Museum of Human Rights were among his most high profile contributions. But Reg didn't just believe in human rights, he believed in human responsibility - that is, it was up to each and every one of us to actively protect and defend our rights, and to change our own future. His own children were woken each day with Rise and Shine. Up and at em . Reg believed in inclusivity and diversity, and always created an environment that was open, welcoming, safe and supportive for all. He recognized and respected each person for who they were no matter what their beliefs, values or political persuasions. He stood up for people and pushed them forward. He created opportunities for them to grow and to learn. He had a kind and generous heart, and people were drawn to him. He was ours, but other people thought he belonged to them, too. He did, and he loved it. Beyond how others saw him, to us he was the man who made us laugh, made us think, and made us proud. Reg is survived by his wife Karen, his children Sarah, Matthew and Christina, his sisters Joan Anderton and Beverley Verkouteren, his parents-in-law Vincent and Lorraine Taraska, sisters-in-law Kathy (Paul) Berke, Victoria Taraska (Harry Blackwood), Val Taraska (Carey Davis), cousins Jim and Bob Stilborn, and many nieces, nephews and friends. A Celebration of Reg's Life will be held at Immanuel Pentacostal Church, 955 Wilkes, October 21 at 1:00 p.m. Donations in his memory can be made to the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights by phone (866) 828-9209 or online at friendsofcmhr.com His family invites you to share your favourite memories, stories and reflections at OurReg.ca For more information, please call 275-5555 or visit mosaicfunerals.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 18, 2011