Roger Soloman (original) (raw)

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Canadian politician and educator (1939–2021)

Roger Allan Francis Soloman (May 16, 1939 – April 14, 2021)[1] was a Canadian provincial politician and educator on Prince Edward Island. He served as member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island (MLA) from 1993 to 1996, representing 1st Kings and sitting with the Prince Edward Island Liberal Party.

Soloman was born in Georgetown, Prince Edward Island,[2] on May 16, 1939.[3] He was one of seven children of Walter Soloman and Lucy (Scully).[4] Soloman first studied at Saint Dunstan's University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1963, before earning a Bachelor of Education from the University of Prince Edward Island eight years later. He subsequently undertook postgraduate studies at the University of New Brunswick and Saint Francis Xavier University, obtaining a Master of Education from the latter institution in 1977.[3]

Soloman went on to serve as a lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Navy on HMCS Bonaventure.[2] His crew were part of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus from 1963 until 1964.[3] After his stint in the navy, he worked as an educator for over 30 years at Souris Consolidated and Souris Regional School, first as a math and science teacher and then as a principal.[2][3]

Soloman entered politics in 1993, running in the provincial election that year. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly, representing the riding of 1st Kings. He served on various legislative committees, most notably as chair of the Special Committee on Proposed Tax Harmonization during his final year in the legislature.[3]

Soloman chose not to run in the 1996 election. Instead, he acted as campaign chair for Premier Keith Milligan. He also served in that capacity for Lawrence MacAulay, the federal Member of Parliament for Cardigan.[3]

After retiring from politics, Soloman went into the cottage business,[4] in order to be closer to his family. He oversaw De Roma Cottages on the Brudenell River.[2] He resided in Stratford with his wife during his later years.[3]

Soloman married Sheila Graham on December 27, 1965.[3] Together, they had four children: Paulette, Terry, Kimberly, and Frank.[3][4] He was a Roman Catholic.[3]

Soloman died on April 14, 2021, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown. He was 81 years old.[2][4]

1. ^ "Minding the House: a biographical guide to Prince Edward Island MLAs (Volume 2), 1993-2017 (Cassandra Bernard & Sean McQuaid, Eds.)" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
2. ^ a b c d e "Roger Soloman, former P.E.I. MLA, dies at 81". CBC News. April 16, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Members, 1993–2017: "S"" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
4. ^ a b c d "Roger Soloman – Obituaries". The Guardian. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. April 16, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.

• Weeks, Blair (2002). Minding the House: A Biographical Guide to Prince Edward Island MLAs. Acorn Press. ISBN 1-894838-01-7.