Avard Longley James Bishop

BISHOP, Avard Longley James - Avard passed away on July 18^th, 2014, in Cessy, France.  Avard was born in Halifax on June 30^th, 1953, and spent his early years in Nova Scotia, the Bahamas, and at school in Scotland.  He graduated from Kings College and Dalhousie University with a BA in political science, an MA in French literature, and an LLB. After practicing law in Halifax, Avard joined the Canadian Foreign Service.  He was posted to Geneva, Switzerland, where he was part of the Canadian delegation negotiating the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.  Avard and his family remained in Geneva for over twenty years, where Avard worked for the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), first in its legal department and then as the first head of WIPO’s Ethics Office. Throughout his life, Avard volunteered for many causes, including eight years on the Governing Board of his children’s school, the International School of Geneva, the last three as its Chairman.  Avard’s love of travel and the outdoors took him and his family on adventures near and far.  He also maintained his close connection to Nova Scotia, spending summers with his family and many friends in the Annapolis Valley and Cape Breton. Avard was a man of grace and integrity, with a kind and generous spirit, who always saw the best in others.  He was a man of firm conviction, who left the world a better place.  Above all, Avard was devoted to his family, whom he loved, and who loved him, beyond words.  He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Joanne McKeough, and his children, Julia (Dominic), Peter and Paul; his mother, Margaret; his sister, Roberta (Lori); and a loving extended family.  Avard was predeceased by his beloved father, Rev. William Marshall Bishop.  The funeral will be held on Tuesday, July 29^th at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Anglican Church in Wolfville, followed by interment at Willowbank Cemetery in Wolfville and a reception at 10032 Highway #1, Greenwich (the former Greenwich United Church). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to People's Participation in Education ("WATU"), an NGO in Tanzania which was close to Avard's heart. Any contributions can be made via the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville N.S. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville and on-line condolences or inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.