October 8, 2013
Ottawa – Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), expressed his condolences today over the passing of The Hon. Fred J. Mifflin, Rear-Admiral (Retired), PC, CD on October 5th in Ottawa at the age of 75.
“It is with a heavy heart that we mark the passing of a former Deputy Commander of the Navy,” said Vice-Admiral Norman. “Rear-Admiral Mifflin was an outstanding Canadian who served his country with distinction throughout a 33-year naval career, as a Member of Parliament and a Cabinet Minister. On behalf of the RCN, I extend my sincere condolences to the Mifflin family during this difficult time.”
Rear-Admiral (Retired) Mifflin was born in Bonavista, NL, in 1938 and joined the RCN in 1954 when he was just 16 years old. Highlights of his 33-year career in the Navy include serving on at least eight different RCN ships throughout the Cold War, including as Executive Officer of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Saguenay, and Commanding Officer of HMCS Skeena, as well as serving as the Commander of the First Canadian Destroyer Squadron. He rose to the position of Deputy Commander of the Navy before retiring in 1987.
Following his retirement from the Navy, Rear-Admiral (Retired) Mifflin entered politics. He was elected as a Member of Parliament in 1988, and later served in a variety of government portfolios including Minister of Fisheries and Minister of Veterans Affairs.
Rear-Admiral (Retired) Mifflin remained a friend and supporter of the RCN for the rest of his life. As the Honourary Chairman of the Navy League of Canada, he worked to promote an interest in maritime affairs throughout the country and to encourage the education and training of youth through participation in the Cadet movement.
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