OTTAWA – Shaw Communications vice-president of government relations, Charles King, died on Monday of cancer. He was 47.
King was well-known and respected in Ottawa circles as a straight shooter who could build relationships and for his clients and employers, no matter the party in power. A long-time Liberal, he worked in the party’s Ottawa headquarters in the 1980s and 1990s under the likes of Don Johnston and Lloyd Axworthy.
In 1996, King joined the Canadian Cable Television Association and later worked for the Canadian Association of Broadcasters and for Earnscliffe Strategy Group, where he had many broadcasting and telecom clients. In 2009, he joined Shaw Communications as VP government relations.
“He was just a great, one-of-a-kind guy that everyone instinctively liked because he was incredibly human. No airs; he told you exactly what he thought, and was completely honest with his opinions, whether they were politically correct or incorrect,” remembered his friend Elizabeth Roscoe, Hill+Knowlton’s national service leader, public affairs. “He clicked right away with Shaw because their style is very straightforward, too.”
“Charles was not only a colleague and a trusted advisor he was a true friend to many of us at Shaw,” added Jean Brazeau, senior VP of regulatory at Shaw. “We will dearly miss his sunny personality, disposition and always-positive outlook even during his greatest struggle. Charles joined Shaw in October of 2009 and during that time he significantly contributed to enhancing Shaw’s position within government circles both in Ottawa and locally.”
He is survived by his wife, Kelly Mounce; mom, Alma Adam; brothers, Robert and Paul; and half-sister Courtney King. He was predeceased by his brother, David and father, Bob. A memorial will be held on Friday, May 3rd, at the Chateau Laurier (Adam Room) from 4 to 6 p.m. and a party will follow from 6 to 9 p.m. at Metropolitain Brasserie.
Please click here for the offical obituary in the Ottawa Citizen and here for an excellent, heartfelt tribute to King by Toronto Star political reporter Susan Delacourt.
